Introduction
What differentiates one 24x burner from another? Theoretically, their performance is the same, they all use technology to prevent buffer underrun, and they come with much of the same type of software. But they do have subtle distinctions which are not widely publicized. Recording quality, compatibility with the available blank media, and a number of other specific functions can make all the difference, not to mention account for striking variations in price.
The CD-R/RW market changed completely in the late 90s and some things are now obvious. One is the spread of the CD-RW burner, with sales increasing exponentially over the past decade. This spread was due to both the drops in pricing and the standard use of the IDE interface instead of SCSI. 87% of the burners sold in 2000 were IDE models, and this is why we decided to use ones with this interface for these tests. This doesn’t mean that we don’t care about secondary interfaces such as USB 2.0, SCSI or IEEE-1394, but rather that we want to compare like with like in terms of performance and type of use. Another notable fact is that the ongoing price drops appear to be pushing the burner market into a downward spiral that some manufacturers are likely to find hard to stop. In the short term, the one who benefits is the consumer, who ends up paying less and less for burners which perform better and better, but in the long run this may not necessarily be such a good thing. Price has to be taken into consideration when buying a burner, but just because one model is cheaper doesn’t mean it’s the best.
Anti-Buffer Underrun Technologies
The first anti-buffer underrun technology, Buffer Under Run-Proof (hence Burn-Proof), was developed by Sanyo. Buffer underrun errors occur when the PC doesn’t have enough resources to send an uninterrupted dataflow to the burner cache. Since the dataflow from the buffer to the write head should be continuous, this may cause the burning operation to fail. To avoid this kind of problem, manufacturers began by increasing the cache size to 4 MB. But this implied two things: that the PC running the burner had to be powerful enough; and that it did nothing else in the meantime so as not to hinder the dataflow. Now, the trouble is that most users want to be able to use their PC while CD burning is in progress, so the next step is to make CD burning a transparent task.
To understand the value of technologies like Burn-Proof, we first need to know the function of the cache memory on a burner. Recent burners either use the P-CAV or the Z-CLV modes. As soon as recording starts, the data must reach the burner a little faster than the real write speed. For writing in 16x, the burner needs a transfer rate of about 2.8 MB/s. The multiplication is as follows: 2352 x 75 x 12. A block equals 2352 bytes; a second means 75 blocks; and the whole has to be multiplied by 12, because of the speed. To prevent the burning operation from depending entirely on the capacity of the IDE bus to send data regularly at this speed, burners have a cache memory to receive the data before sending it to the write head. This helps to adjust and counterbalance variations in PC resource availability. With a conventional burner, if the PC pauses a few seconds, the cache will be emptied and the burning operation will fail (16x = 2400 KB/s, meaning a second and a half of instability is enough to create a buffer underrun error). Burn-Proof and similar systems prevent this from happening by stopping the burning process when data no longer reaches the cache, and then starting the process in the same place when there are enough resources again. This prevents spoiling blank media and is very practical for making high-speed, CD-to-CD copies. Many CD players don’t run faster than 16x to begin with, so technologies like Burn-Proof help to counter this weakness and run fast copying. This is also true when copying CDs which have been badly recorded, deliberately or not. You know what I mean.
In theory, the quality of a CD-R recorded with anti-buffer underrun technology is the same as one recorded normally. But there may be a gap at the point where burning stopped and started again, though this can’t ever be more than 45 µm with Burn-Proof 1.0 and no more than 1 µm with the newly-revised version, a negligible amount with no effect on legibility. Note that the Orange Book allows a gap of up to 100 µm, so this leaves more than enough leeway for a burner to create a CD-R of compatible standard. Yet it is here that manufacturers enter the battle to defend their respective technologies. Yamaha, which developed Safe Burn with Oak Technologies, and Ricoh with its Just Link, claim that theirs have no gap at all, unlike the Sanyo Burn-Proof. In practice, you can’t tell this from the amount of C1 errors (the most usual and visible) on a CD-R, so the size of the gaps is of scant importance when estimating the relative value of the technologies.
P-CAV and Z-CLV
Before 16x and 20x burners existed, the issue of CD-R writing methods was never raised. Everyone used the CLV (Constant Linear Velocity) mode, where burning starts and ends at the same speed, without ever changing. But, as with CD players, this method has its limitations. In CLV mode, the burner motor has to run very fast right from the start of recording, meaning a large number of revs per minute. If the motor runs very fast, the burner is noisy and the recording is less stable and not very consistent. Furthermore, a start at 24x could be troublesome for a direct CD-to-CD copy. So a more reliable and flexible method had to be invented in order to attain high speeds without affecting the quality and ease of the operation.
There are two opposing methods here: P-CAV, used by Yamaha, and Z-CLV, used by most other manufacturers. The diagrams below illustrate the two methods perfectly. The green line represents the recording speed, and the yellow line represents the number of revs per minute.
You can see that P-CAV (Partial Constant Angular Velocity) starts writing at 16x and increases the speed regularly, until it stabilizes at 24x after 15 minutes of CD-R time. So, the first 15 minutes are run at CAV, i.e., non-constant speed, and the writing ends at CLV at 24x. No tricks are involved, and this is the more flexible method of the two.
Z-CLV (Zoned Constant Linear Velocity) works in stages, as you can see from the chart below. It starts writing at 16x CLV for the first 6 minutes of CD time, then 16x again, still in CLV, and then it changes speed to reach 24x after 16 minutes. These speed changes are very apparent in the chart and are the result of Burn-Proof technology. There is a very brief stop and start, creating a gap, at each point where the burner changes speed.
The Right Speed for the Right Results
The first manufacturer to introduce burner/blank media adaptation technology was Yamaha, with Optimum Write Speed Control. With this technology, the burner uses a short test to recognize the type and capacities of the medium used, and adjusts the maximum write speed accordingly – even while recording is in progress. This technique helps to minimize the number of errors on a burned CD. The operation is a hardware one and must be done every time a new blank CD is used. It can be disabled in most software to gain time and prevent the write speed from being slowed, if need be.
PoweRec-II by Plextor and FlexSS-BP by Sanyo work in the same way, but only check the medium at the moments when the Z-CLV mode stops running. This means the burner does an OPC (Optimum Power Control) at the start of the operation, then another one after 6 minutes of CD time to check that the medium really can handle speeds over 20x, and again at 16 minutes, for 24x.
JustSpeed by Ricoh is a more advanced form of this kind of system because it combines an OPC with a hardware database of the most usual types of CD-R. The burner scrutinizes the CD-R’s ATIP (Absolute time in Pre-groove), and analyzes the type of layer, the manufacturer and certified speeds (if given), and adjusts itself accordingly, based on what the database tells it to do. It then runs a more practical check – an OPC – and a final one to synchronize the reading head with the data groove to keep errors to a minimum. This is a far-reaching method which should give the most consistent results, even though it doesn’t run a check during the recording operation. Phillips’ Thermo Balanced Writing works in the same way, except that it has no hardware database, using what they call a “smart algorithm” instead, which adjusts the write head to the CD-R used.
Hewlett-Packard CD24ri
Hewlett-Packard CD24ri | |
Manufacturer | Hewlett-Packard |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 4 MB |
Mechanical system | Plextor |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 140 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Burn-Proof |
Test firmware | 2.00 |
Price | $170 |
The CD24ri is the latest Hewlett-Packard burner. Though the make used to be faithful to Sony mechanics, it has now turned to Sanyo and its CDR-BP1500P. The CD24ri now has the performance rates of Sanyo-based equipment, and one of its features is Burn-Proof. It has 4 MB of cache and uses the Z-CLV mode to record CD-Rs. Its read performance is satisfactory with a speed of 40x max and an access time of 140 ms.
For its software, HP has also taken its business elsewhere – the CD24ri comes with Nero Burning Rom 5.5 instead of Easy CD Creator. The box also contains a CD-R labeling kit and a disk with a variety of applications, including Music Match Jukebox and Video Impression by Center Arcsoft.
Memorex 24Maxx / Lite-On 24x10x40
The Memorex 24Maxx is not available in some regions. The Lite-On 24x10x40 is identical to the Memorex 24Maxx.
Memorex 24Maxx | |
Manufacturer | Memorex |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 2 MB |
Mechanical system | Lite On |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speeds | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speeds | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Max read speed | 40x |
Access time | 80 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Burn-Proof |
Test firmware | 5WS2 |
Price | N/A |
Memorex is a well-know brand in blank CD-R and CD-RW media. But it also has a full range of burners, the latest being the 24Maxx. It is based on Sanyo mechanics and looks it, having pretty much the same features. It has 2 MB of cache, Burn-Proof technology and burns CD-Rs at 24x max and in Z-CLV. The 80 ms (milliseconds) claimed for access time do, however, show progress compared to the Sanyo CRD-BP1500P, which takes well over 130 ms.
All the functions have been retained, such as overburning, CD Text and writing in DAO-RAW for backup fans. Note that this burner is easily recognized by the latest versions of Clone CD and Nero Burning Rom. The unit we tested has 5WS2 firmware. The 24Maxx comes with Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.01, a CD-RW and fastenings.
Philips CDRW2010
Philips CDRW2010 | |
Manufacturer | Philips |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 2 MB |
Mechanical system | Philips/Ricoh |
CD-R write mode | CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 100 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Seamless Link |
Test firmware | 1.20 |
Price | $160 |
As Philips doesn’t yet have a 24x burner, we tested the CDRW2010. This is a 20/10/40 burner with 2 MB of cache, running in CLV mode. It starts a CD-R in 16x for the first ten minutes of CD time, and then moves into 20x if the medium can take it. The Phillips CDRW2010 uses Thermo-Balanced Writing technology, similar to the Plextor Power REC II. This function runs a test of every CD-R inserted, and adjusts the speed and the laser head on the basis of the results. This considerably minimizes writing errors due to poor matching of the write method to the medium.
Like any self-respecting burner, the CDRW2010 has anti-buffer underrun technology. This is Seamless Link, which is actually based on the Just Link, developed by Ricoh. So, in practice, there is no real difference between the two, which use the same controllers. Thermo-Balanced Writing, on the other hand, is nothing like the Ricoh Just Speed, which has its own hardware CD-R specification database. The CDRW2010 comes with Nero Burning Rom 5.5 software, a CD-R and a CD-RW. Note that the Phillips CDRW2010 is the only burner in this test which is not DAO-RAW-compatible.
Plextor Plexwriter 241040A
Plextor Plexwriter 241040A | |
Manufacturer | Plextor |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 4 MB |
Mechanical system | Plextor/Sanyo |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 140 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Burn-Proof |
Test firmware | 1.02 |
Price | $155 |
Plextor burners are always awaited with bated breath by the brand’s buffs. (Say that five times fast!) Like its predecessors, the Plexwriter 241040A is based on Sanyo mechanics, but has a number of enhancements. It has 4 MB of cache and Burn-Proof technology, which gives it outstanding recording consistency. The Plexwriter 241040A comes with Ahead Nero Burning Rom 5.5 and InCD, plus a CD-R, CD-RW and fastenings. It also has a 2-year guarantee with standard exchange if it is faulty.
Apart from integrating Burn-Proof, Plextor has developed the Power Rec II function (Plextor Optimised Writing Error Reduction Control) for this burner. This technology is similar to the Yamaha Optimum Write Speed Control, which changes its recording speed based on the media used. Power Rec II interacts with the stops the burner makes (caused by the Z-CLV mode) to check if the CD-R can move into top speed. The Plexwriter 241040A is the only burner in the test with a ventilator at the rear of the machine.
Ricoh MP7200A
Currently the Ricoh MP7200A is not available in the US, but it’s coming soon.
Ricoh MP7200A | |
Manufacturer | Ricoh |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 2 MB |
Mechanical system | Ricoh |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 100 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Just Link |
Test firmware | 1.10 |
Price | N/A |
Apart from Sanyo and Yamaha, Ricoh is one of the few manufacturers to produce its own burners and the technologies that go with them. This make deserves its renown, and the MP7200A is its flagship CD-RW burner. It has 2 MB of cache, uses the Z-CLV mode for writing, and records CD-Rs in 20x and CD-RW in 10x.
The MP7200A comes with Nero Burning Rom 5.5 and InCD 1.9 by Ahead Software, a Ricoh CD-R, and a CD-RW. It includes the Just Link and Just Speed technologies for optimal recording consistency. And it has a new chip to reduce consumption and increase writing stability.
Sanyo CRD-BP1500P
Sanyo CRD-BP1500P | |
Manufacturer | Sanyo |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 2 MB |
Mechanical system | Sanyo CRD-BP1500P |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 140 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Burn-Proof |
Test firmware | 6.38 |
Price | $135 |
The CRD-BP1500P has the same base used by most other manufacturers in the market, as we can see with many of the burners in this test. This is hardly surprising, because this burner was the first to attain 24x. You’ll probably have trouble finding it though, because it is mostly designed for OEM. The CRD-BP1500P was also the first to introduce the Z-CLV mode for writing CD-Rs in 24x.
Of course it has the “made by Sanyo” technologies: Burn-Proof and FlexSS-BP. It has 2 MB of cache, supports overburning, DAO-RAW and CD-Text writing, but is not delivered with extra software as it is an OEM base.
Sony CRX175A-RP
Sony CRX175A-RP | |
Manufacturer | Sony |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 2 MB |
Mechanical system | Sony |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 150 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Power Burn |
Test firmware | 1.0h |
Price | $140 |
Sony was one of the first burner manufacturers. Its offering is the CRX175A-RP, a 24x IDE burner with 2 MB of cache. It records CD-Rs in 24x using the Z-CLV mode, CD-RWs in 10x and CLV, and reads CDs in 40x max. It does not support overburning, which is something to note, handicapping it against the competition. However, it does have Power Burn technology, which is similar to Burn-Proof and prevents buffer underrun.
The burner comes with B’s Recorder, B’s Clip, Retrospect Express, Photo Base, Music Match Jukebox and Arcsoft Video Impression software.
TDK Cyclone 241040
TDK Cyclone 241040 | |
Manufacturer | TDK |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 2 MB |
Mechanical system | Sanyo CRD-BP1500P |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 140 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Burn-Proof |
Test firmware | 6.34 |
Price | $131 |
Another 24x burner based on the Sanyo CRD-BP1500 and with the same features is the TDK Cyclone 241040. It burns CD-Rs in 24x and Z-CLV, CD-RWs in 10x, and reads CDs in 40x max. It has Burn-Proof and FlexSS-BP technologies to ensure optimal burning consistency.
The TDK Cyclone 241040 comes with Nero Burning Rom 5.5 and InCD 2.12 by Ahead Software, a TDK-certified 24x CD-R, and a CD-RW. On the CD there is also the TDK Digital MixMaster program, as well as a little 3D interface with a host of functions. These include: CD copy; CD Audio rip; Jukebox; and processing and recording of sounds from analog media such as cassettes and vinyl disks.
Teac CD-W524EK
Teac CD-W524EK | |
Manufacturer | Teac |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 2 MB |
Mechanical system | Teac |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 140 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Safe Link |
Test firmware | 1.00 |
Price | $125 |
Long ago, Teac used to be a major player in the burner market; those who had the wonderful CD-R55S know why. If it lost its place due to the relentless successes of Sanyo, Plextor and Yamaha, it did not lose the excellence of its products. Witness the CD-W524E. It has Safe Link anti-buffer underrun and 2 MB of cache. It records CD-Rs in 24x and Z-CLV, CD-RW in 10x, and reads CDs in 40x max.
The CDW512E comes with Nero Burning Rom 5.5 by Ahead Software, a Teac CD-R and CD-RW. It supports overburning, DAO-RAW, and reads CD-Text.
Waitec Megalus
The Waitec Megalus is not available in some regions.
Waitec Megalus | |
Manufacturer | Sanyo |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 2 MB |
Mechanical system | Sanyo CRD-BP1500P |
CD-R write mode | Z-CLV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 140 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overburning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Safe Link |
Test firmware | 6.38 |
Price | N/A |
The Waitec Megalus is based on the Sanyo CRD-BP1500P, so it has the same features. Those are: CD-R writing in 24x Z-CLV; rewriting in 10x; and reading in 40x max. It has a cache of 2 MB, and includes all the functions of the Sanyo bases like Burn-Proof (called Safe Link in this case) and FlexSS-BP.
The Megalus comes with Primo CD Plus by Prassi, a CD-R and a CD-RW. It supports DAO-RAW, overburning and CD Text writing.
Yamaha CRW3200E-VK
Yamaha CRW3200E-VK | |
Manufacturer | Yamaha |
Interface | IDE |
Cache memory | 8 MB |
Mechanical system | Yamaha CRW3200 |
CD-R write mode | P-CAV |
CD-R write speed | 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x |
CD-RW write speed | 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x |
Maximum read speed | 40x |
Access time | 100 ms |
Write modes | Disk At Once Track At Once Multisession Packet Writing Disk At Once RAW Overbur4ning |
Buffer Underrun Protection | Safe Burn |
Test firmware | 1.0b |
Price | $175 |
With the release of the CRW2100, Yamaha finally entered the speed race. The company has moved to establish its position this year-end with the CRW3200E, a 24x burner with a host of functions that make it really original. It has Safe Burn, developed in partnership with Oak Technologies, and Optimum Write Speed Control. There are also two important new features: compatibility with Mount Rainier, and an Audio Master Quality function for CD Audio recording.
The Mount Rainier standard, developed by Microsoft in partnership with a number of burner manufacturers, provides integrated and flexible management of CD-RW burners in the operating system. Formatting is a background task which goes on during copy; the CD can be ejected at any time; data is addressed in blocks of 2 KB instead of 64. The CRW3200E comes with Ahead Burning Rom 5.5 and InCD 2.12 by Ahead Software, a Yamaha CD-R, and CD-RW. It supports all the requisite functions, such as overburning, DAO-RAW and CD Text writing. Unlike most of its rivals, the CRW3200E writes CD-Rs in P-CAV mode.
Test Configuration and Methods
Hardware | |
Processor | Intel Celeron 800 MHz |
Memory | 256 MB PC100 |
Hard disk | Western Digital WD400 40 Go |
CD readers | Teac CD540E and Pioneer A105S |
Graphics adapter | ATI Radeon 64 MB DDR |
Drivers & software | |
DirectX | 8.0a |
OS | Windows XP Professional |
Benchmarks & control | |
Application benches | – Nero Burning Rom 5.5.5.1 – Clone CD 3.1.1.0 – Padus Disc Juggler 3.50.118 |
Performance benches | – CD Speed 99 – DAE Speed 99 – CDR Diagnostics 0.1.7.0 – CDR Analyser |
Each burner was tested according to the most exact and thorough method possible. The tests were carried out as follows:
- Time taken to burn 650 MB. The operation was effected from hard disk to 3 80-minute Memorex CD-Rs made by CMC Magnetics of type 6. The software was Nero Burning Rom 5.5.5.1.
- Time taken for a CD-to-CD copy on 2 identical CD-Rs. The software was Nero Burning Rom 5.5.5.1.
- DAO-RAW or SAO-RAW copy test with Clone CD 3.1.1.0 software.
- Analysis of a CD-R burnt at maximum speed using CD-R Diagnostics and CD Analyser.
- Burning of 5 CD-Rs from various makes (TDK, Philips, Mitsui, Memorex and Hi-Space) to test compatibility.
- Assessment of performance in reading and digital audio extraction using DAE Speed 99 and CD Speed 99 software.
- Estimate of speed in CD-RW mode.
- Overburning test.
Burning Time and Compatibility
The figures in this chart represent the time a burner takes to burn a 650-MB CD-R, including lead-in and lead-out.
The results show that there are still differences. And this is the time to settle accounts between Z-CLV and P-CAV, because it is the Yamaha CRW3200E which wins, with its burning time of 3 minutes 43 seconds. The best Z-CLV burner is the Hewlett Packard CD24ri, with 3 minutes 55 seconds. The slowest 24x burner is the Sanyo CRD-BP1500P, with 4 minutes 10 seconds. Of the two 20xs, both figures are very much alike and show good performance.
Though the HP CD24ri comes second in the raw performance test for CD-R writing, things are different when it comes to compatibility with the various media tested. In fact, it is the only one to have trouble with a certain type of CD. It took 5 minutes 25 seconds in 24x to burn Hi-Space 80-minute CDs, and what’s more, with a non-retrievable error rate of 2.97%! The other types of CD-Rs gave less important differences, though still significant. This proves that the CD24ri needs to be used with certified 24x media of a quality like the Phillips Premium 74. The other burners did not show any differences worth mentioning here.
Burning Time: CD-to-CD Copy
For CD-to-CD copy, the result is pretty much the same as standard burning from hard disk. The Yamaha CRW3200E is the only one to stay below the 4-minute mark, with 3 minutes 55 seconds for a direct copy. Overall, there is a slight increase in burning time of some 5 to 8 seconds for each of the burners. Only the Sony CRX175A-RP showed a significant increase of 18 seconds, which is not normal.
Read Performance
Since the burners tested were all 40x max, transfer rates were pretty much the same, whether master CDs or CD-Rs. The Memorex 24 Maxx, Plextor Plexwriter 241040A and TDK Cyclone are the ones that come out on top, with transfer rates higher than those announced by the manufacturers. Only the Ricoh MP7200A gave signs of weakness, with 32x (as opposed to the 40x advertised).
Access Time
For average access time, Teac is the uncontested winner, with 80 milliseconds in the tests. The other burners keep their promises, with times often less than those announced. The slowest was the HP CD24ri, with 135 ms.
Digital Audio Extraction
The DAE (Digital Audio Extraction) tests were done with the CD Speed 99 and DAE Speed 99 Advanced DAE Quality Test. The figures shown give an average (not maximum) speed of extraction for a 74-minute CD Audio, and the mark for the Advanced DAE Quality Test. Overall, performances were fairly good, with a gold medal for the Plexwriter 241040A, which had an average of more than 30x. The TDK Cyclone and the Waitec Megalus got good marks, but had a few errors in extraction.
Feature Tests
Burner | CDText | DAO-RAW | Overburning | Buffer Underrun |
CRD-BP1500P | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
Cyclone 241040 | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
HP CD24ri | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
Memorex 24Maxx | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
Philips CDRW2010 | Test OK | Not supported | Test OK | Test OK |
Plexwriter 241040A | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
Ricoh MP7200A | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
Sony CRX175A-RP | Test Failed | Test OK | Not supported | Test OK |
TDK Cyclone 241040 | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
Teac CD-W524E | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
Waitec Megalus | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
Yamaha CRW3200E | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK | Test OK |
This table shows test results for the following features: CD Text writing; SafeDisk 1 CD-to-CD copy in DAO-RAW with Clone CD 3.1.1.0; overburning test; anti-buffer underrun function test. You can see that only the Sony CRX175A has any faults: overburning is not supported, and the CD text failed. The CD-RW mode was also tested on all the burners, and all reached a speed of 10x with no trouble. Note that the Yamaha CRW3200E offers both CAV and CLV modes for CD-RW, which can be handy, depending on the use.
One On Its Own: Audio Master Quality by Yamaha
Apart from its Mount Rainier compatibility and 24x maximum speed, the main new feature of the CRW3200 is its Audio Master Quality function. This is a brand new technique dedicated to CD Audio alone.
To understand this new function properly, let’s explain what the word ‘jitter’ means. On a CD, the 0s and 1s of the digital sound are represented by what are known as ‘pits’ and ‘lands,’ pits being the zones burnt by the laser. Next to these data is information for error correction. In theory, the data representing the 0s and 1s should not contain any errors. But sadly, every electronic appliance produces interference and random events, which complicate matters. In a burning operation, errors called C1 and C2 occur – and this is what is known as ‘jitters.’
Yamaha claims that Audio Master Recording reduces jitter by 30% compared to standard burning, and improves the quality of sound restitution. They have done this by modifying the laser speed in their new model, which burns a CD-R at 1.4 m/s instead of 1.2 m/s. So if the speed is increased from 1.2 m/s to 1.4 m/s, the length of the pits increases by about 15%. This gives pits and lands which are slightly longer than usual, though still within the standards laid down in the Red Book. The CD Audio, though burnt at high speed, is more “legible” for audio decks and players. The downside is a substantial loss of space: 63 minutes for 650 MB (instead of 74), and 68 for 700 MB (instead of 80). Another thing worth mentioning is that the CRW3200E burns CD Audio Masters in 4x maximum, and, as of yet, only Nero Burning Rom 5.5 supports this function.
The charts above show the theoretical effect of Audio Master Quality on a CD Audio. In practice, the gain is definitely noticeable on playback, but can vary depending on the equipment used. In any case, you need adequate audio equipment to notice any difference at all. On a standard hi-fi, the gain in quality is fairly significant, especially with regard to instrument location. But you can hardly tell the difference between a CD burned conventionally in 4x and one burned in Audio Master on a top-range CD player like the Denon DCD1550AR. This is undoubtedly because a player of this quality already has an effective error correction system.
One On Its Own: Audio Master Quality by Yamaha, Continued
The value of Audio Master is the direct result of a paradox: it is designed for music lovers because it improves the quality of the recording to the detriment of disk time; however, you need to have “commonplace” equipment to get the most out of it.
We noted another fairly strange quirk during our tests. If you make a copy of an original CD Audio in Audio Master Quality and then compare the two on the same equipment, you notice a definite difference. High and low notes seem more marked and the stereo distribution more emphatic. Yamaha says this is due to the fact that the Audio Master recovers the quality lost between the recording and mastering of the original! Given that the data are stored digitally on a CD, it would be nice if Yamaha explained how this miracle happens, jitter or no jitter.
Conclusion
From the tests carried out on these eleven 20x or 24x burners, we may conclude that, on the whole, most have satisfactory features and performance. We can, however, cite two in particular: the Plextor 241040A and the Yamaha CRW3200E. They have results as excellent as they are consistent, and, furthermore, they have an extended guarantee and after-sales service that the user will appreciate. The Yamaha is, of course, more expensive than the others, but it does have 8 MB of cache and advanced functions such as the Mount Rainier and Audio Master Quality Recording. Not far behind these two is the Teac CD-W524E, which offers solid, reliable performance, and is to be recommended.
Nor must we forget the financial side of burner purchase. Some of the cheapest include good burners like the Memorex 24Maxx (Lite-On 24x10x40), the Ricoh MP7200A or the Waitec Megalus. The TDK Cyclone 241040 and the Phillips CDRW2010 are no slackers either, when it comes to features or results, but they are somewhat more pricey than the others. The Hewlett Packard CD24ri is also rather expensive, and it is not perfectly compatible with low-quality media, so will not only be costly to buy but also to use. Finally, the Sony CRX175A, while not a poor burner, does not give consistent results, and some options are lacking or don’t work properly.