Mitsumi CR-480ATE CD-RW

Review Pages

1. The first 32x CD-RW drive arrives!
2. Data Tests
3. HS-RW reading tests
4. DAE Tests
5. CDR Tests
6. Writing Quality Tests
7. RW Writing Tests
8. Conclusion

Mitsumi CR-480ATE IDE CDR-W - Page 8

Conclusion

Positive (+)

Negative (-)

- Supports 32x writing (Z-CLV) speed
- Supports 12x re-writing (CLV) speed
- Includes 16MB Buffer (!!)
- "ExacLink" anti-coaster technology
- Supports 'Mt. Rainier' format
- Has build-in media quality detection system
- Low C1 errors when 24x/32x CDR media used
- No coasters at all recording speeds
- Good data reading performance with both CDR/pressed media
- Highest re-writing/packet writing performance
- Good DAE speeds
- Very good DAE ripping quality
- Supports HS-RW standard
- Supports DAO-RAW
- Very good CloneCD reading performance
- Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data
- Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)
- Supports Overburning (up to 99mins)
- Supports Ultra-DMA 33 connection interface

- Drive seems slower than 24x Z-CLV recorders at both 16x/24x recording speed.
- Sanyo's 32x writing speed would be faster
- Higher seek times than competition
- Many DAE errors when scrached media used
- Failed to backup SD2 protected CDs
- Low PSX ripping speed

The Mitsumi CR-480ATE is the first drive that reached our labs and supports 32x CD-R recording speed. The drive supports 32x (Z-CLV), 12x re-writing, and 40x reading speed among with 16Mb of buffer, ExacLink and 'Mt. Rainier' support.

The drive performance at 32x should not be considered as a major speed, compared to what 24x (especially 24x P-CAV) recorders can do. The time difference between Mitsumi and the faster 24x recorder, from Yamaha, is only 11secs (max), which is low. The writing strategy (16x-32x Z-CLV), which Mitsumi has chosen has the advantage that keeps the rotation speed under 8500rpm but also is slower than what the Sanyo 32x recorders can do.

The drive's re-writing speed is superb (12x) and the writing quality stays very good even at the maximum 32x writing speed. The built-in media quality system detection will prevent low quality media to be written at high speeds (24x/32x). The DAE ripping speed/quality performance must be improved to reach the competition. CloneCD users will be disappointed from the lack of SD2 support, but of course the Sanyo based 32x recorders doesn't support it either.

For making a safe conclusion about the 32x recording speed, we have to see how the competition would also perform. Stay tuned...