CDR Tests

The Philips DVDRW208 supports up to 12x (CLV) writing. The drive includes 'SeamLess Link' as the main Buffer Underrun Technology. The 'Thermo Balanced Writing' technology also promises to improve writing quality. We did our tests with Nero v5.5.5.7, CloneCD v3.1.1.0 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 a "DataCD" job with data slightly higher than 74mins (74:03:65). We burned the same job with all three drives, using the same media:

The Philips DVDRW208 needs one second less than Ricoh MP5120A (405secs) to finish the task.

- 80min CDs

Following the same procedure as in the previous test, we created a DataCD with data higher than 80min (80:01:47). The Philips DVDRW208 needs 435 and Ricoh MP5120A 439secs to end the task:

- Writing Quality Tests:

We used Creation 74min CD-R 12x certified media (real manufacturer Plasmon), and wrote a full 74min CD. All CDs were burned with Nero 5.5.5.7, and they were Audio CDs with 74:51:27 length size. The produced CDs were measured from DigitalDrives:

The Philips DVDRW208 produced 2.9 average C1 errors, when using low quality media from "Creation". Those were excellent results, if you compare it with Ricoh's MP5120A. When using higher quality media (such as Taiyo Yuden 80min 24x), the produced C1 error rates are even lower. The following graph comes from the Creation 74min 12x media:

- Overburning Tests

The Philips DVDRW208 supports up to 99minute CDs (overburning) as our tests with Nero showed:

- CD-Text Results

We created several AudioCDs with CD-Text enabled. The Philips DVDRW208 can write but cannot read CD-Text from Audio CDs..

- CloneCD Tests

CloneCD v3.1.1.0 reports that the drive supports the DAO-RAW writing feature and "JustLink". From our tests results DAO-RAW writing works without any problem for SafeDisc 1, LaserLock 1/2 and SecuROM 2 protections.

- SD2 Support

For the SD2 test we used the "No One Lives For Ever", "Max Payne" and "Emperor Battle for Dune" CD titles. We used the Philips DVDRW208 both as reader/writer. The produced backup did play when using the same drive but not at any other drive we tested. Therefore it can produce partial SD2 working backups.

- 8cm mini CDs

The Philips DVDRW208 supports ONLY reading of 8cm CDs.