AOpen EHW4048U CD-RW

Review Pages

1. Installation/Package
2. Data Reading Tests
3. CD Error Correction Tests
4. CloneCD Reading Tests
5. DAE Tests
6. CDR Tests
7. Writing Quality Tests
8. RW/Packet Writing Tests
9. Conclusion

AOpen EHW-4048U CD-RW - Page 9

Conclusion

Positive (+)

Negative (-)

- Supports USB2.0 interface
- Supports "JustLink" and "JustSpeed" technologies
- Under 'Turbo' mode, the drive gets the first place in the data/DAE reading tests
- Average writing quality
- Good packet writing performance
- Can rip CDS200 protected Audio discs
- Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data
- Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)
- Supports Overburning (up to 99mins)
- Retail package contains Nero, 40X CD-R, 12X US-RW media at low price of <$100

- Drive is slower at all recording speed due to its Z-CLV implementation
- Low CD Error correction capabilities
- Doesn't support the Mt. Rainier format
- Cannot backup protected discs!
- Low CloneCD reading performance
- Writing at DAO-RAW above 12X produces coasters
- C2 error information is present but with low accuracy
- Cannot rip Key2Audio protected Audio discs
- Noisy operation under the 'Turbo' mode

The EHW-4048U is not the fastest AOpen recorder but has some good features for entry-level users. The USB2.0 interface is now a standard and the drive's reading performance was good especially under the 'Turbo' mode. AOpen and many other manufacturers support the 40X reading as the default reading speed to avoid noise and possible explosions of the inserted discs. The activation of 'Turbo' mode is easy and the drive will work at that speed unless you reboot the computer.

The drive is able to read/write up to 99min discs, can read/write CD-Text, rips CDS200 protected Audio discs and produces discs with average writing quality. On the negative side, the drive's writing times are higher compared with other recorders, its error correction capabilities are low, it doesn't support the Mt. Rainier format, fails to backup protected discs, cannot rip Key2Audio protected discs and although the C2 error information is present, the % accuracy is low.

The EHW-4048U can be found under $100 making it a cheap recorder for the amateur user. Of course the competitor USB2.0 drives are higher priced but also offer a more higher performance...