CDR Tests

PlexWriter and Teac drives support 8x (CLV) writing with USB 2.0 interface. When connected to USB 1.1 the writing speed drops at 4x (CLV). In addition, both drives support anti-buffer underrun technologies - TEAC supports "JustLink", and PleXWriter "BURN-Proof". CyQ've RW8080A does not support any anti-coaster technology, but the supported 2MB buffer memory seemed enough to keep us away from coasters. We tested all the drives with Nero v5.5.6.4, CloneCD v3.2.3.1 and Padus DJ v3.50.799 software. For the CDR tests we used: Creation 74min (12x), Taiyo Yuden 74 & 80min (24x), Mitsui 74min (24 & 16x) and Verbatim/TDK 74min HS-RW media.

- CD-R Tests

We created an 74mins "DataCD" job . We burned the same job with all drives, using the same media:

TEAC CD-RW280PU was faster than CyQ've RW8080A and PleXWriter PX-S88TU with all tested media. TEAC needs 598min to finish the task, while CyQ've RW8080A needs just 4 extra seconds. The CPU Usage is very low for all the recorders! CyQ've RW8080A needed the lowest CPU %, mostly because of the use of FireWire interface.

- 80min CDs

Following the same procedure as in the previous test, we created a DataCD with data lower than 80min (79:49:50). CyQ've RW8080A and TEAC don't support overburning and we used the same media for all burns. TEAC CD-RW280PU only 1 sec faster than CyQ've RW8080A! CyQ've RW8080A also occupied less CPU than the other drives for this task.

- Writing Quality Tests:

We used low quality media written at 8x, with both drives. The results are posted in the following table:

* Creation 74min 12x

Creation 74min - 12x - serial: 1B-11401-15:49
ATIP: 97m 27s 19f
Disc Manufacturer: Plasmon Data Systems, Ltd.
Assumed Dye type: Phthalocyanine (Type 9)
Media type: CD-Recordable
Nominal Capacity: 654.49MB (74m 30s 00f / LBA: 335100)
Disc subtype: Medium Type B, low Beta category (B-)
Target writing power: 5

Here we have a new winner here,CyQ've RW8080A produced the lowest C1 error rate (2.1 cps). As for the recording speed, Teac finished recording faster than the other drives but gave produced more C1 errors. CyQ've RW8080A also gave a compatible (607 sec) burning time. The following graphs come from the Creation 74min 12x media:

- Overburning Tests

CyQ've RW8080A does support overburning up only to 82mins.

- CD-Text Results

We created several AudioCDs with CD-Text enabled. Both drives can write/read CD-Text without any problems.

- CloneCD Tests

CloneCD v3.2.3.1 reports that CyQ've RW8080A supports only SAO-RAW+ SUB writing mode. According to our tests, the drive cannot backup any protected titles, even when using compatible RAW SAO+SUB mode. All produced backups (even of SD1) weren't playable!

- SD2 Support

For the SD2 tests we used the "No One Lives For Ever", "Emperor Battle for Dune" and "Max Payne" CD titles. We used CyQ've RW8080A as reader/writer. The produced backups didn't play in the same or other drives. Therefore the drive cannot produce SD2 working backups.

- 8cm mini CDs

CyQ've RW8080A support reading/writing to 8cm CDs. We are not so sure if business cards are supported.

- Buffer Underrun tests

CyQ've RW8080A does not support any anti-coaster technology, so you 'd better avoid to run any "heavy" applications while burning a CDR.