40x CD-RW Roundup Vol1

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Introduction - Page 2
3. Introduction - Page 3
4. Data Tests
5. CloneCD reading Tests
6. DAE Tests
7. CDR Tests - Page 1
8. CDR Tests - Page 2
9. CDR Tests - Page 3
10. Writing Quality of ASUS
11. Writing Quality of LiteOn
12. Writing Quality of Cendyne
13. RW-Packet Writing Tests
14. Conclusion

40x CD-RW Roundup Vol 1 - Page 14

Conclusion

ASUS CRW4012A
Positive (+)	Negative (-)
- Supports 40x writing, 12x re-write and 48x reading speeds - Supports FlexLink/FlexSpeed/DDSII technologies - Very fast DAE speeds - Good CloneCD reading performance - Supports DAO-RAW - Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data - Can produce perfect SD2 backups (up to v2.51.x) - Supports CD-Text (reading/writing) - Supports Overburning (up to 99mins) - Supports Ultra-DMA 33 connection interface - Retail package contains Nero/80min HS-RW media	- Competition offers 2 years of warranty - Doesn't support 'Mt. Rainier' format -Only 2MB of buffer - Limited media support for the 40x speed. This will be improved with future firmware upgrades - High seek times with CDR media (128ms) - Cannot "handle" protected AudioCDs - Didn't recognized our "bad media" test disc

LiteOn LTR-40125S/Cendyne Lighting III
Positive (+)	Negative (-)
- For now the faster 40x recorder. It has the lower recording times ever measured - "Smart-BURN" and "Smart-X" technologies - Build-in media quality detection system can de-activated - Very good reading performance with both CDR/pressed media - Best DAE speeds at this category - Supports HS-RW standard - Supports DAO-RAW - Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data - Can produce perfect SD2 backups (up to v2.51.x) - Supports CD-Text (reading/writing) - Supports Overburning (up to 99mins) - Supports Ultra-DMA 33 connection interface - Complete retail package (includes Nero/80min HS-RW media) - Low price (<105$)	- Drive is in general NOISY - Competition offers 2 years of warranty - Doesn't support 'Mt. Rainier' format - Needs further turing of "Smart-Burn" function - Only 2Mb of buffer - Low CloneCD reading performance - Low PSX ripping speed - Cannot "handle" protected AudioCDs

After the first 40x capable recorder from Plextor, we had the chance to examine two more drives that also support the 40x Zone-CLV recording speeds. ASUS and LiteOn 40x drives have the advantage of the higher reading speeds of 48x and have exactly the same writing/re-writing speed with Plextor PX-W4012A. The final results are much different between the three drives so users much carefully decide upon their specific needs. Of course, there is the Cendyne Lighting III drive, which however is a LiteOn drive with a different firmware revision installed. Future updates will be released for the Cendyne/LiteOn drives that should will fix some of the problems mentioned below.

ASUS CRW4012A has potentials to compete both LiteOn and Plextor drives. The tested drive had a 0.60 firmware revision and ASUS engineers did mention that towards 1.00 version, writing speed will be further increased. As it currently stands, our biggest problem was the limited media support for the 40x writing speed and several "coasters" that were produced, when the drive shifted from 32x to 40x. This happened with Mitsui SG Ultra I/II media (16x/24x certified). The drive can backup SD2 v2.51.x CDs and will possibly have a low price to compete the LiteOn based recorders.

LiteOn LTR-40125S is definitely the winner at this roundup. The drive is the faster in both reading/writing tests than both ASUS and Plextor drives are. LiteOn decided to give users the option to de-activate "Smart-Burn", which however is not recommended from our side, at least with 16x and even with 24x certified CDs. Users will be pleased from the ability to backup almost all protected CDs and will be disappointed from the lack of Mt. Rainier format, the increased noise and the fact that it cannot handle any protected AudioCD. The biggest advantage of the LiteOn drive towards the competition is assumed in one word: Price.

Plextor PX-W4012A has a few unique features (black tray, VariRec function) but also an increased price (up to $150+). Of course the European users have an additional year of warranty (2 years in total), which can affect their final decision. In addition Plextor has promised Mt. Rainier format support with future firmware upgrade, which none of both ASUS and LiteOn have done so far.

Things are pretty simple if you judge upon your needs. Do you have increased Audio needs and feeling that Mt. Rainier format will throw away the traditional diskette somewhere in the future? Then buy a Plextor 40x drive. Can you find a LiteOn 40x drive at the price of 100$ and can live with its specific weaknesses? Then buy a LiteOn 40x drive. We cannot recommend the ASUS 40x drive yet, but as soon the final firmware arrives, we will revise (with a new roundup probably) our conclusion. Soon more players from TEAC and Sanyo are entering this category. Ending, we give LiteOn LTR-40125S and the Cendyne Lighting III our "Safe Buy" award for their performance/value mark.