32x CD-RW Roundup Vol. 4

Review Pages

1. Introduction - CyQve3248
2. Data Reading Tests
3. Introduction - LG GCE-8320B
4. CloneCD Reading Tests
5. DAE Tests
6. CDR Tests
7. Writing Quality of CyQve 3248
8. Writing Quality of LG GCE-8320B
9. RW-Packet Writing Tests
10. Conclusion

32x CD-RW Roundup Vol 4 - Page 10

Conclusion

CyQve 3248
Positive (+)	Negative (-)
- Faster 32x recorder using Zone-CLV recording technology - Supports JustLink and JustSpeed technologies - 8MB Buffer - Can"handle" some protected AudioCDs - Supports DAO-RAW - Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data - Supports CD-Text (reading/writing?) - Supports Overburning (reading/writing up to 99mins) - Supports Ultra-DMA 33 connection interface - Complete retail package contains Nero/80min HS-RW media - Perfect Write Software can support new un-recognized media into the hardware	- Recording stability needs improvement - Low DAE reading performance - Doesn't support 'Mt. Rainier' format - Low CloneCD reading performance - Doesn't support hardware EFM correction - Didn't managed to finish the BAD DAE test - Competition offers 2 years of warranty

LG GCE-8320B
Positive (+)	Negative (-)
- Drive is quiter than other Z-CLV recorders - 8MB Buffer - Supports "SuperLink" anti-buffer underrun technology - Mt. Rainier may supported with a firmware upgrade - Supports HS-RW standard - Supports DAO-RAW - Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data - Supports hardware EFM correction (SD2 v2.51.x) - Supports CD-Text (reading/writing) - Supports Overburning (reading/writing up to 99mins) - Offers two years of warranty	- Is one of the slowest 32x Zone-CLV recorders - Drive's maximum reading speed is only 40X, making is slower than competition - Retail package doesn't include CD-R/HS-RW media! - Very LOW CloneCD reading performance - Didn't managed to finish the BAD DAE test - Cannot "handle" protected AudioCDs - Supports only PIO-Mode4 connection

Many users have in their minds the last achievements in the recording speeds that now reach the 48x (CAV). Despite that, there are many users who wish a slower drive with a wider media support and of course a lower price. Both the CyQve 3248 and LG GCE-8320B come to fulfil those needs. Lets see each drive separately.

The CyQve CQ3248 gave the faster recording results for the 32x Zone-CLV category, with several media. The 8MB Buffer and JustLink will protect from buffer underruns, while the JustSpeed will auto-detect the best possible writing speed for the drive. In addition, CyQve offers the "Perfect Write" technology that can recognize new un-supported media and offer improved writing quality. On the dark side, we can list the lower DAE reading speed than competitor drives, the bad DAE test failure and the lack of hardware EFM correction. Lastly it doesn't offer 2 years of warranty like other competitors, at least for the European territory.

The LG GCE-8320B is another successful recorder from LG. The main power features aren't the fastest reading/writing speeds, but the quite operation, its wide CD-R media list and the hardware EFM correction. Many users will find this drive as an alternative solution for LiteOn and ASUS 32x drives. Of course there are several negatives that didn't make us happy. If you are thinking of buying the LG GCE-8320B, it would be a good idea either to spend some extra cash and buy the LG GCE-8400B drive that is faster and better tuned drive ;-)