NEC ND-3500A Recorder - Page 25

Conclusion

Most end users are now familiar with NEC drives, as they are known to be good quality recorders, especially after the big success of the ND-25x0 series. Judging from the look of the drive, nothing has changed. Most users will like the black stylish front panel that TDK uses for these drives. The only thing that is missing is the phone jack and the volume control slider. You will notice that there is no DVD DL logo on the front panel. But inside this rather simple cover, lies the new NEC D63635GM chipset, making the drive one of the fastest available on the market.

DVD error correction was always a headache for NEC drives. This is not the case with the new ND-3500A, since it managed to read all test discs. On the other hand, CD error correction needs further improvements, since high reading errors were produced when reading the Abex TCD-721R/726 test discs. DAE speed is still low, compared to other recorders available on the market, and it cannot make SafeDisc 2.60+ backups, due to the NEC chipsets used and cannot recognize 99mins discs.

When CD-R media was used to test writing performance, we discovered that some well known media could not be burned at high speed (48X) but only at 32X. This produces better quality burns, but speed is reduced. With 48X recording speed, writing quality was reduced, and these discs reported high jitter values. Of course, writing speed can be better balanced with a future firmware release, and we will be happy to see NEC improve the drive's performance with CDR media.

On the other hand, DVD recording performance was way better than CD-R media recording. The CAV writing method makes this drive the fastest 16X recorder, when 16X certified media is used. Media quality measurements indicated that NEC intends to keep its reputation of being a very good quality recorder manufacturer. Low PI/PO error levels were reported, with minor exceptions. The Media Support list is a key component where NEC needs focus more on, as Traxdata 16X media can be recorded only at 4X, and CMC and Philips 16X media at 8X.

The ND-3500A is one of the fastest recorders available, even with DVD+R Double Layer media. A major drawback is of course the Traxdata DL media that is not officially supported, until now (firmware version 2.07). DVD-ROM booktype (DVD+R DL media) ensures highest compability with DVD Players. However, default booktype for +R/+RW media cannot be changed.

In general the drive is one of the best on the market, and its price makes it a very attractive buy. End users that choose to purchase this drive can be certain that they will get one of the best drives available!

- The Good

• Very good DVD error correction capabilities
• Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)
• Supports audio protected discs
• Excellent CD writing quality at 32X with low Jitter values
• Very good Single Layer DVD writing quality
• High C2% accuracy
• Fast recording with Double Layer media
• Very good writing quality with Double Layer media
• Can read/rip 90min Audio CDs
• Can overburn up to 88min CDs

- The Bad

• Poor CD error correction
• Slow ripping CSS DVD-Video performance
• DAE speed only up to 32X
• Mount Rainier is not supported
• Cannot recognize 99min Audio CD's
• Cannot create working backups with SafeDisc protected games over v2.60
• Cannot overburn DVD recordable media
• Medium CD writing quality at 48X
• Does not support Traxdata Double Layer media

- Like To be fixed

• Official firmware release to support booktype setting for +R/+RW media
• Better writing quality with 48X CD-R media
• Traxdata Double Layer media support

To discuss this drive further or to discuss it with other users, go to our forum.