1. Introduction
NEC ND-3520A Burner - Page 1
NEC
is known for developing high quality burners at a considerably low cost.
Following the success of the ND-25x0 series and the ND-3500A model, rumors
were heard
around the Internet regarding a new NEC burner with more features than
the NEC ND-3500A. Since 16X writing speed is the physical limit for DVD media,
users
were asking what this new burner had to offer. The answer is simple:
higher Re-Writing speed.
Since most users will be eager to find out more about this drive, we decided
to post this preview to share our first impressions, until the full
review is released.
- Features
The
new NEC model is capable of writing DVD media at 16X and re-writing DVD+RW
media at 8X. DVD-RW media writing speed is raised from 4X to 6X. -R double
layer
upgradeability is an issue that will be discussed later on this preview. CD
writing speed is not changed, already tuned at 48X for CD-R media and 24X for
CD-RW media. It can also burn double layer media at 4X, and support anti-buffer
underun protection system. WOPC is introduced to further improve burning quality.
- Specifications
Drive |
NEC ND-3520A |
Media |
DVD |
CD |
Transfer Rate Write |
+R |
16x (9 - 22MBytes/sec) |
-R |
48x (3000-7200kBytes/sec) |
+R9 |
4x (5.5 MBytes/sec) |
2.4x (3.3 MByte/sec) |
+RW |
8x (11 MBytes/sec) |
-RW |
24x (3000-3600kBytes/sec) |
-R |
16x ( 9 - 22MBytes/sec) |
-RW |
6x (8.2MBytes/sec) |
Transfer Rate Read
|
DVD-R 16x CAV (max 22000 kb/s) |
CD-R 48x CAV (max 4800 kb/s) |
DVD+R 16x CAV (max 22000 kb/s) |
CD-RW 16x CLV (max 2400 kb/s) |
DVD+R9 4X CLV (5500 KByte/s) |
Mechanism |
motorized Tray load mechanism for horizontal and vertical use |
Interface |
IDE / ATAPI |
Burst Transfer Rate |
PIO mode 4 / Ultra DMA 33 |
Cashe Memory |
2MB |
Audio |
digital-out and line-out at the back (MPC compatible) |
Modes supported |
DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-Video, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-Audio, CD Extra, CD Text, CD-IReady, CD-Bridge, Photo-CD, VideoCD, Hybrid CD |
Writing methods |
DAO(disc at once), SAO(session at once), TAO(track at once) with zero gap, variable or fixed packet, multisession |
Compatibility |
MPC Level 3, MultiRead, PC2001 |
Weight |
1.01 kgr |
Dimensions |
148mm x 42mm x 190mm |
The drive does not support Mount Rainier and it uses the well known RPC II region control, allowing a user to change the drive's region at most 5 times. Unfortunately, it cannot read or write DVD-RAM media. Below are the drive's main specs as given by NeroInfoTool, VSO Inspector and DVDInfoPro:
- The Drive
We received the bulk version of the drive in our labs, and we don't yet know
what software will be included in the final retail package. Of course,
this preview will be followed soon by the full review, with more detailed
information providing a more complete picture of the drive and its capabilities.
The front panel does not introduce anything new from the previous ND-3500A
model. You can see the eject button, the
activity led and the eject hole.
On the rear panel you will find the analogue and digital audio outputs (SPDIF), the IDE selection pins, the IDE connector and the power input.
Opening the device case will void the warranty, so we advise against it.
Instead, use the photos in this review for a closer look under the hood. Clicking
on the image below will reveal a high resolution image.
The drive uses a new NEC D6364 chipset series, making it impossible to convert/update
the previous ND-3500A models to this new ND-3520A.
The following picture shows the laser lens assembly of the NEC ND-3520A. By
clicking on the picture, you can see a higher resolution image.
- Installation
The device was connected to our test PC and was identified as "NEC DVD_RW ND-3520A" under WinXP, with firmware version 1.04.
Below is a screenshot of Nero Burning Rom's specs for the drive.
- Testing software
In order to perform our tests, we used:
- Nero CD-DVD Speed v3.55
- CDVD Benchmark v1.21
- Nero Info Tool v2.27
- PlexTools v2.18
- DVDInfoPro v2.63
- Nero Burning Rom v6.6.0.3
- CopyToDVD 3.0.35
2. DVD Error Correction Tests
NEC ND-3520A Burner -
Page 2
DVD Error Correction Tests
In the following tests we examined the DVD reading capabilities of the NEC ND-3520A drive with scratched / defective DVD media. For the tests, we used CDVD Benchmark and Nero CDSpeed . The reference test media comes from ALMEDIO.
- Single Layer media
ABEX TDR-821
This is a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM with a 4.7GB capacity, and its surface has an artificial scratch of dimensions varying from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.
The following transfer rate picture comes from the CDVD Benchmark v1.21 transfer rate test.
The ND-3520A managed to read this test media without problems.
It should be noted that the ND-3500A also managed to read this disc,
but needed to lower its reading speed. This shows improved DVD error correction
capabilities
with the 3520A, since it did not lower reading speed.
ABEX TDR-825
This is also a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM of 4.7GB capacity. The data structure of the disc is exactly the same as that of the TDR-821, with the difference that there are no scratches on it but instead, defective areas of dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 mm.
There are also fingerprints sized between 65 and 75 micrometers.
Small speed fluctuations were introduced, in order
to succesfully read the entire test disc. On the other hand, the process was
completed
with
no read errors. It should be noted that the burner reached 16X reading speed.
- Dual Layer media
ABEX TDR-841
This is an 8.5GB dual layer single sided DVD-ROM disc with artificial scratches of dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 3.0mm, on both layers.
Again, the ND-3520A proved to be a very good reader, giving no errors and
no speed drops.
ABEX TDR-845
The disc is a single sided, dual layer DVD-ROM disc of a capacity of 8.5GB. The only difference between the TDR-845 and the TDR-841 is that the first includes defective areas and fingerprints.
The dimensions of the defective areas range from 0.5 to 1.1 mm and the fingerprints are sized from 65 to 75 micro meters.
Excellent performance once again from the NEC drive.
In the complete review we will add more DVD error correction
tests as well as CD error correction tests.
3. DVD Recording Test
NEC ND-3520A Burner -
Page 3
DVD Recording Test
The new ND-3520A can burn at 16X maximum speed, DVD+R and DVD-R media. DVD+RW
media can be burned at 8X, while DVD-RW media can be burned at 6X. Unfortunately,
there are no available DVD-RW media at 6X.
The writing strategies are illustrated below:
The writing times for the media we burned are given below:
DVD +R/+RW media |
Disc Label |
Disc Information |
Max Allowed Writing Speed |
Total Recording Time (mins) |
Datawrite 8X Orange |
MCC 003 |
8X |
9:34 |
Datawrite Printable |
MCC 003 |
8X |
9:38 |
Verbatim 16X |
MCC 004 |
16X |
5:58 |
Datawrite +RW |
PRODISC W02 |
4X |
14:34 |
Mitsubishi Chemicals 8X +RW |
MKM A03 |
8X |
8:21 |
DVD -R/-RW media |
Disc Label |
Disc Information |
Max Allowed Writing Speed |
Total Recording Time (mins) |
Datawrite Printable |
Fujifilm03 |
8X |
9:39 |
Datawrite Grey |
CMC MAG AE1 |
8X |
9:59 |
Datawrite Printable |
CMC MAG AE1 |
8X |
9:36 |
TDK 16X |
TTH02 |
16X |
5:54 |
The ND-3520A reported very good recording times with various media. As this
is only a preview of the drive, more media will be burned in the near future
to further investigate recording performance. Stay tuned for the final review.
4. PlexTools/CDSpeed Scans - Page 1
NEC ND-3520A Burner - Page 4
PlexTools/CDSpeed Scans - Page 1
In order to test the writing quality and readability of the burned media, we used two readers in combination with two software packages:
- The LiteON SOHD-167T with patched firmware being able to read DVD5 up to 16X CAV and DVD9 up to 10X CAV. For the transfer rate tests we used the latest Nero CDSpeed version.
- The Plextor PX-712A with the latest available firmware. For scanning the disc, we used the latest PlexTools version at 2X CLV reading speed, BURST mode, with middle accuracy.
In general, a "perfect" disc should have a smooth reading curve, very low PIE/POE and zero (0) POF error rates. Most times, even when a disc has very low PIE/POE error rates, the reading curve may not be smooth with dropoffs. Due to the fact that we oversped the reading capabilities of the LiteON SOHD-167T, such drops are expected, especially near the outer area of the disc.
The measurements below should be taken not as the absolute criteria of the burning quality, but as an indication level.
- DVD+R/+RW media format
- Mitsubishi Chemicals +RW 8X @ 8X
The NEC ND-3520A performed very well with +R media format. Even low priced
media, like Datawrite, showed excellent performance. Writing at
16X with Verbatim media did not produce any PO failures, and PI error levels
were
considerably
low.
Writing +RW media at 8X reported higher PI error values, but again, error levels did not exceed the 280 limit.
5. PlexTools/CDSpeed Scans - Page 2
NEC ND-3520A Burner - Page 5
PlexTools/CDSpeed Scans - Page 2
In order to test the writing quality and readability of the burned media, we used two readers in combination with two software packages:
- The LiteON SOHD-167T with patched firmware being able to read DVD5 up to 16X CAV and DVD9 up to 10X CAV. For the transfer rate tests we used the latest Nero CDSpeed version.
- The Plextor PX-712A with the latest available firmware. For scanning the disc, we used the latest PlexTools version at 2X CLV reading speed, BURST mode, with middle accuracy.
In general, a "perfect" disc should have a smooth reading curve, very low PIE/POE and zero (0) POF error rates. Most times, even when a disc has very low PIE/POE error rates, the reading curve may not be smooth with dropoffs. Due to the fact that we oversped the reading capabilities of the LiteON SOHD-167T, such drops are expected, especially near the outer area of the disc.
The measurements below should be taken not as the absolute criteria of the burning quality, but as an indication level.
- DVD-R media format
- Datawrite Printable (CMC Magnetics) 8X @ 8X
- Datawrite Printable (FujiFilm) 8X @ 8X
DVD-R media performed worse than DVD+R media. On the other hand, TDK
16X media reported very low error levels, while Datawrite media reported higher.
Some media could not be read by the LiteOn reader or the Plextor burner.
6. DVD+R DL - Page 1
NEC ND-3520A Burner - Page 6
DVD+R DL - Page 1
- Writing Tests
We burned one DVD+R DL disc with DVD-Video content. The source disc was "Gladiator
Movie - Special Edition" disc1 with a total size of 6.86GB. First we transferred
the movie to the hard disc with DVD Decrypter as ISO format (single file).
We used Double Layer media provided by Traxdata and Verbatim (MKM). The following
picture shows the media code of these Double Layer discs. Of course, more double
layer media will be burned in the full review.
We then used the latest version of CopyToDVD. The software prompts us to select Video_TS/ISO image folder. We chose the "GLADIATOR.ISO" image and we selected the NEC ND-3520A burner.
We did not make any bitsetting changes, in order to see what booktype setting the drive uses as default for DVD+R9 media.
The drive needed 22:35mins to finish the burning process. The default booktype setting of the ND-3520A for double layer media is set to DVD-ROM.
- Bitsetting
As usual, the drive supports booktype setting changes, but only for double layer media.
7. DVD+R DL - Page 2
NEC ND-3520A Burner - Page 7
DVD+R DL - Page 2
- Writing Quality
In order to check the NEC ND-3520A's DVD+R DL writing quality, we used the
LiteOn SOHD-167T and the Plextor PX-712SA drives.
- Verbatim 2.4X DVD+R Double Layer Media @ 4X
Very good performance, indeed. It should be noted that Verbatim double layer
media is 2.4x certified media, but the NEC burner, just as the ND-3500A
model, could burn the media at 4x while maintaining very low error levels.
8. Conclusion
NEC ND-3520A Burner - Page 8
Conclusion
Although
this is just a preview and no conclusions should be taken for granted, we could
post our first impressions for this new burner.
First of all, NEC uses a new chipset for this new burner. Although the burner
itself cannot burn -R double layer media, the new D6364 chipset supports -R
DL writing at 2X and 4X. Talk from NEC refers to a new firmware release
that will add -R DL writing, but it will not be available until March. It is
good to know that users can simply apply firmware upgrades to add -R DL feature.
NEC has already built a good and trusted reputation with DVD burners through
their former models, and even if some of them were not good readers, they were
very
good
burners.
The ND-3520A has very good DVD error correction capabilities and has
proven to be a fast reader.
The drive performed very well with DVD+R and DVD+RW media so far, but
some further improvements could be made with DVD-R writing quality. However,
we
cannot see the full picture without further investigating writing quality.
*Updated - The complete review is available here.