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NEC was the first manufacturer to bring a double
layer drive into the market and is now one of the first to introduce their
next generation 4x double layer writer as well. The release of double
layer drives took the PC market by storm and continue to be of high interest
to many PC and video enthusiasts. Today, we are pleased to bring you a
review of their latest and greatest DVD writer, the ND3500A. The specs
on this drive are nothing short of impressive and will satisfy just about
every user out there. However, does it perform well? Let's take it
for a spin!
Packaging & Contents
**click to enlarge**
Our sample was an OEM model but does come with
an OEM version of Nero6 as well as a blank 4x disc.
The Drive
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**click to enlarge** |
**click to enlarge** |
Our drive had a standard white bezel. On
the front, you'll find an eject/load button and one green status LED. The rear
is quite standard as well.
**click to enlarge**
The depth is about normal as far as optical
drives go and is not as long as the 4x Pioneer drive we recently reviewed.
The label on this drive had a manufacturer date of August 2004.
A quick look at the impressive specs!
Specifications
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| IDE/ATAPI interface with
UltraDMA 33 (max. 33 MByte/sec transfer rate) |
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| Internal 12/8cm CD and DVD
drive (half form factor) |
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| Read Speed: 16x max. DVD-ROM
and 48x max. CD-ROM |
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| Tray load mechanism supporting
horizontal and vertical use |
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| Write Speed: DVD+R: 16 max.,
DVD+RW: 4x max., DVD+R9: 4x,. DVD-R: 16x max,. DVD-RW: 4x. CD-R: 48x
max,. CD-RW: 24x max. |
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| Access Time (DVD): 140
ms |
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| Audio: Digital-out
and line-out at the back (MPC compatible) |
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| Burst Transfer Rate: PIO
mode 4/Ultra DMA 33 |
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| Compatibility: MPC
level 3, Multi Read, PC2001 |
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| Dimensions (HxWxD): 148mm
x 42mm x 190mm |
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| Mechanism: motorized
tray load mechanism for horizontal and vertical use |
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| Media/Mode Supported: DVD-ROM,
DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD0+R, DVD+R9, DVD+RW, DVD-Video, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA,
CD-Audio, CD Extra, CD Text, CD-I Ready, CD-Bridge, Photo-CD,
Video-CD, Hybrid-CD |
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| Transfer Rate Read CD: 48x
CAV (max7200 kByte/s) |
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| Transfer Rate
Read DVD: 16x CAV (max 22000 kBytes) |
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| Transfer Rate Write +R (CD): ./. |
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| Transfer Rate Write +R
(DVD): 16x CAV (max 22000 kByte/s) |
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| Transfer Rate Write +R9
(CD): ./. |
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| Transfer Rate Write +R9
(DVD): 4x CLV (5500 kByte/s) |
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| Transfer Rate Write +RW
(CD): ./. |
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| Transfer Rate Write -R (CD): 48x
CAV (max. 7200 kByte/s) |
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| Transfer Rate Write -R
(DVD): 16x CAV (max22000 kByte/s) |
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| Transfer Rate Write -RW
(DVD): 4x CLV (5500 kByte/s) |
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| Trasfer Rate Write -RW (CD): 24x
ZCLV (max 3600kByte/s) |
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| Writing Methods: DAO
(disc at once), SAO (session at once), TAO (track at once) with zero
gap, variable or fixed packet, multisession |
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