Data Tests

- Pressed CD results: (Click to see the CD Speed Graph)

At the Nero CD Speed test, the YAMAHA CRW-F1 gave a 32.33X average reading speed. The drive started reading at 19.38X and stopped at 42.56X, not exactly at 44X as it was supposed to. YAMAHA drives reach maximum speed with 80min discs, a different approach than from other manufacturer. The starting speed could be higher and that would give a faster average speed by the end. YAMAHA commended that "...While this statement is true, it does not accurately reflect Yamaha's intention with this drive. The speeds that the drive utilizes (both starting and ending) have been decided to optimize writing and reading quality, while also delivering the best experience possible. The Yamaha Dynamic Damper System (YDDS) was developed to keep the drives operation extremely quiet by counteracting the specific vibration caused while spinning a CD at 8700RPM constantly...". The Asus CRW4816A is the fastest drive in this test due to the 48X supported speed, and LiteOn LTR-40125S and CyberDrive CW078D follow.

In the same test, the seek times of YAMAHA CRW-F1 were higher than the other drives. The drive was faster than PleXWriter PX-W4012A in the Random and 1/3 seek mode, but showed a different behaviour in the Full seek mode. YAMAHA commended that "...The equipment is capable of lower seek times, however because of some functions of the drive (AudioMaster, DiscT@2, etc), it is necessary to keep the seek times slightly higher to allow for better positioning during these operations...". The fastest drive in this test is Asus CRW4816A and LiteOn LTR-40125S.

- CDR Media: (Click to see the CD Speed Graph)

All drives improved their reading performance with CD-R media, except from the Plextor drive, which was slightly slower. The speed classification remains the same, and Asus continues to lead with 38.08X average reading speed.

The seek times of the drives with CD-R media were slightly increased.

- HS-RW media: (Click to see the CD Speed Graphs)

In the HS-RW reading tests we used the HS-RW media that come with the retail package of each drive, recorded in the correspondent maximum speed supported. For the YAMAHA drive, we used Ultra speed 24X HS-RW media. The YAMAHA CRW-F1 read the disc at 33.05X average speed and was the fastest reader in the test. LiteOn LTR-40125S follows with 32.03X and Plextor PX-W4012A comes third with 31.59X.