TDK CyClone 12/10/32 IDE CDR-W - Page 5

CDR Tests

- Recorder properties: (Screenshot from Feurio v1.55 b4)

As we can see, the TDK CyClone drive supports all current CDR/W writing modes including DAO RAW and BURN-Proof!

Let's head over to the CDR tests now:

Procedure:
We tested the TDK CyClone with the latest software which supports it and with several media:

- Software used: Nero v5.0.2.4 /  Padus DJ v3.00.730 / CloneCD v2.7.8.1 / Feurio v1.55b4
- Media: Princo 74 & 80min / Ricoh Platinum 74 & 80min / Mitsui Gold& SG / TDK 74 & 80 min / Verbatim74min / Ricoh HS RW / TDK HS RW media

CDR-R Tests:
The TDK CyClone arrived with Nero Burning ROM v5.0 and Ahead InCD. We used the latest Nero version (5.0.2.4) for all of our tests. We made a Data CD job with data slightly higher than 74mins (74:03:65). We burned the same job with all of the three CDR-W drives:

As the tests results showed, all of the drives had different writing times when using the SAME amount of data and media. The Sanyo drive had the lowest burning time and both the TDK and Plextor drives came in second (with 415 secs). What are the reasons behind these differences? This happens because some drives need more time for laser calibration and the write speed isn't really exactly 12.00x since it varies (ex. from 11.97x to 12.06x). As for the CPU Usage, the Sanyo drive (9.85%) had the lowest when burning at 12x. This is due to it being a SCSI drive connected to a SCSI bus-mastering controller. The other two drives occupied the CPU by an average 13.5%.

- 80min CDs:
As previous we created a datacd with Nero 5.0.2.4 and used the same media for all burns (Ricoh 80min 12x):

As we saw previously with the 74min CDs, all three of the drives had timing differences between them. The Sanyo continues to deliver the lowest burning time. The TDK and Plextor drives again have exactly the same burning times.

- Overburning Tests:
We know from previous articles posted at CDRINFO that the Plextor PX-W1210A could burn up to 89:00mins. Surprise Surprise this is also what the TDK CyClone can burn up to!  We inserted a 90min blank (from Medea International) and using Nero, we burned up to 89mins without any problem at 12x.

- AudioCD Tests:
We created several Audio CDs (including CD-Text). All of the CDs we created were tested with the Plextor PX-40TS and Plextor's CD-Text compatible CD player. From what we saw, everything worked just fine.

- CloneCD Tests:
TKD CyClone is fully supported from CloneCD since the drive supports DAO RAW! That enables you to make safe "backups" of your favourite CDs. We used the TDK CyClone to create "backups" of protected CDs (SafeDisc, LaserLock and SecuROM) with the Plextor PX-W1210A to create the image file. ALL tests finished ok. When the CloneCD v3.0 appears BURN-Proof will become and important feature for users because it will allow on the fly backups!

- Buffer Underrun tests:
The TDK CyClone fully supports "BURN-Proof". All of our tests confirmed these claims. No matter what you do, you will not get a coaster (unless your computer crashes or have a power cut!).

Verdict of CDR Results:
The TDK CyClone 12/10/32 performed very well in all of our tests. It worked very well with Nero (TDK ships the drive with Nero) and completed all tests without any problems. Burning both 74min and 80min CDs at 12x caused no problems. Overburning also works but only up to 89:00mins. The BURN-Proof will help you in order to eliminate coasters even though the drive comes with a 2MB of buffer. Users will find DAO-RAW mode useful when the time comes to "backup" their precious CDs.