Former NEC models are known to be good quality burners, and the new ND-3530A comes to continue this tradition. It offers all the goodies of the ND-3520A model, like 16x DVD+R and DVD-R writing speed, while it supports 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW writing speed for DVD+RW and DVD-RW media. The new -R DL media format can be recorded at 4x, while +R DL media format writing speed is increased to 6x.

The ND-3530A reported very good reading speed, but DVD-Video ripping speed is reduced because of the Rip-Lock feature that is introduced to ensure safe reading. DVD error correction capabilities are very good, and only small speed drops changed the impression of a good safe reader. However, all "defective" discs we used were read with no problem. DAE speed is increased from all other NEC based model, and now reaches 40x with the 3530A. CD error correction could be further improved. The burner does not support 99mins discs and it cannot make SafeDisc 2.60+ backups, due to the NEC chipset's limitations.

DVD writing quality was very good, but can be improved, since disc quality at 16x burning speed seemed higher than 8x and 12x writing speed. On the other hand, DVD+R DL burning quality should be improved, as the drive produced high PI error values. The default booktype setting for these media format is set to DVD-ROM, ensuring maximum compatibility with stand-alone DVD Players.

You can always read other users opinions and share your thoughts on this burner in our forum section.

- The Good

• Can burn DVD+RW media at 8X, and DVD-RW media at 6X
• DVD-R DL support at 4x, and DVD+R DL support at 6x
• Very good DVD error correction capabilities
• Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)
• Supports audio protected discs
• Good Single Layer DVD writing quality
• Can overburn up to 89min CDs
• Faster copy protected games ripping than former NEC burners
• Fast DAE speed

- The Bad

• Does not support quality scan measurements
• Poor CD error correction
• Slow ripping CSS DVD-Video performance (Rip-Lock feature enabled)
• 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
• Can only burn Verbatim double layer media at 6X

- Like To be fixed

• Official firmware release to improve burning quality with ReWritable media and DL media
• Official firmware release to support PI/PIF scanning
• Official firmware release to support higher burning speed for certain DL media

Retail Package
Reading
Error Correction
Protected Discs
Writing
Features