Sony CRX200E DDCD-RW

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Installation
3. Data Tests
4. RW reading tests
5. DAE Tests
6. CDR Tests
7. RW Writing Tests
8. Conclusion

Sony CRX200E IDE DDCD-RW- Page 8

Conclusion

Positive (+):	Negative (-):
- Supports new DDCD format (1.3GB) - Supports 12x writing speed - Supports 8MB of buffer - Good CloneCD reading performance - Supports HS-RW standard - Supports DAO-RAW - Supports CD-Text (read/write) - Supports reading of SubChannel data - Good packet writing performance - Package contains DDCD-R/DDCD-RW media - Supports UDMA-33	- No anti-coaster technology - DAE locked at 12x - DAE ripping quality is not perfect - Burning times are higher than the rest drives - Doesn't support overburning - Doesn't support 90/99min CDs - Problems with Prodisc media at 12x - Doesn't backup SD2 protected CDs

The Sony CRX200E is the first drive ever to support the DDCD (Double Density) format. The new format promises up to 1.3GB of storage data, which will make a lot of users happy. The drive's overall performance is good, although there are several issues that will trouble some users. The lack of any anti-coaster technology and overburning capability is not a positive point, since the competition already offers it. In addition the DAE is locked at 12x and isn't perfect as the CD Speed 99 Advanced DAE showed. Users will be pleased from the drive's DAO-RAW support and reading of SubChannel data, even if it cannot produce working SD2 backups.

Our tests with DDCD-R/W media were a complete success, and you can have up to 1.3GB of data in one single CD if you like! The prices for the media are cheap (2-3$) and they will soon be available in all the stores. The drive's price is around 217$, 70$ higher than the rest of the 12/10/32 CDR-W drives, and in the same price level with a 16x writer!

You must ask yourself if you want the 1.3GB that the new DDCD format offers or not. If you are looking for additional storage space and cannot afford the cash for a DVD-R/RW burner, then this drive is suitable for you...