YAMAHA CRW-F1E CD-RW

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Installation/Package
3. Data Reading Tests
4. Error Correction Tests
5. CloneCD Reading Tests
6. DAE Tests
7. CDR Tests
8. Writing Quality Tests
9. RW-Packet Writing Tests
10. Mt. Rainier Tests
11. AudioMASTER Tests
12. DiscT@2 - Page 1
13. DiscT@2 - Page 2
14. Conclusion

YAMAHA CRW-F1 IDE CDR-W - Page 14

Conclusion

Positive (+)

Negative (-)

- Supports 44X full CAV recording technology
- First drive to Support 24X re-writing technology
- Noiseless writing operation
- 8MB Buffer + SafeBurn anti-coaster technology
- Unique DiscT@2 'printing' technology
- Unique CD-RW Audio Track Edit technology
- Improved AudioMASTER technology
- Supports Mt. Rainier format
- Very good Error Correction
- Good writing quality with a variety of media
- Good DAE ripping speed
- Can 'handle' some protected Audio discs
- Supports DAO-RAW writing mode
- Can read/write SubChannel Data from Audio/Data tracks
- Supports CD-Text (read/write)
- Supports Overburning (up to 92+?mins)
- Supports Ultra-DMA 33 connection interface
- Complete retail package + 2 years of warrantee

- Drive is lower than competition due to its 44X maximum speed
- Doesn't support EFM correction for SafeDisc v2.51.021+ builds
- Limited media support for 44X writing speed (OWSC On)
- Limited media support for 12X re-writing speed
- Has issues with Key2Audio and 99min blank media

The YAMAHA CRWF1 is without a doubt, one of the most eagerly awaited recorders of 2002. For the first time a CD-RW drive now be can be used as an "printing" machine, with CD-R media. The adoption of full CAV recording technology reduces the recording time, whilst at the same time, maintains the writing quality at reasonable levels. In addition, the Yamaha CRWF1 is (for the time being) the fastest re-writer ever.

The Yamaha CRWF1 supports the new Ultra HS-RW recording format, that promises up to 24X (32X in the future) re-writing speeds. The improved AudioMASTER features will definitely keep Audio fans both happy and busy at the same time. This is because 90min media and AudioMASTER at 8X recording speeds are now supported. The Mt. Rainier format is also supported but we could not test it thoroughly, with defective media, due to its incompatibility with the EasyWrite test suite.

As well as the positives, there are also a few negative points about the Yamaha CRWF1. The CRWF1 is slower in most of the read tests when compared against the other drives. Its maximum reading speed is 44X compared to the other drives that have a read speed of 48x. One benefit of the slightly slower read speed is that the drive is not as noisy as the other 48X drives.

The supported media for the 44X (CD-R) and 12X (CD-RW) is limited when Optimum Write Speed Control (OWSC) is enabled. Of course a user can disable OWSC, but having faster write speeds (and therefore lower recording times) could have the effect of increasing the risk of unreadable CDs. This has been the case with some other high-speed CD writers.

We had also some issues with the Key2Audio protected Audio discs and the 99min CDs. This probably can be solved with a new firmware upgrade from Yamaha. We will have to wait and see. We will inform you if and when this happens. Lastly, the drive can backup the older SD2 builds but not the recent one's (2.51.021+) even with the help of additional software. This may disappoint some prospective users but then again, it may not.

The retail price of $170 and the end of July release date means that the Yamaha CRWF1 is going to have to compete with cheaper and faster established solutions from companies such as LiteOn and ASUS. Any prospective purchaser will definitely not be disappointed with the Yamaha CRWF1. In a market place where certain manufacturers seem to be churning out new drives every few months, all of the new features of the CRWF1 make it a definite long-term purchase. Well done YAMAHA we really like the CRWF1 ;-)