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CD Write Tests
The NEC ND-3500A doubles as one speedy CD
writer. With its 48x writing capability, it is one of the faster
multi-format writers on the market.
This drive uses the CAV method of writing to CDR
media and while it did reach its rated speed, there were three small spikes
during the writing process. These occurred in the exact same place when
tested with various brands of high speed CDR media. Does it really
affect its write time? Not at all...let's have a look at the actual
writing.
In our actual write tests, the ND-3500A was able
to write a full disc in just under 3 minutes. That's plenty fast and
comparable to even the speediest CD writers. I threw in a variety of CDR
media into the mix to see how well compatibility was with media rated at
different speeds. Below is the chart with the write support for each.
|
CDR Brand |
Write Speed |
| Verbatim (Super Azo) 52X |
48x |
| Ritek (Ridata Brand) 48X |
48x |
| Verbatim (Super Azo) 48X |
48x |
| Philips 40X |
32x |
| Ritek (True Silver) 8X |
32x |
| Imation 24X |
16x |
| FUJI 32X |
32x |
| Sony 32X |
24x |
The drive had no problem writing at 48x to those
discs that were rated at these speeds. However, with slower media, the
drive was unable to write to all brands at their supported speeds. Based
on these results, as long as you use media capable of 48x writing, you should
have no problem doing so.
2. CD-DVD Speed - CDRW Media
The ND-3500A handled ultra speed CDRW media very
well and was able to write to them at its maximum 24x. Unlike the CDR
writing, CDRW discs use the Z-CLV method. Writing started at 20x but
jumps up to 24x very early in the write process. This actually cut down
write times slightly, especially when compared to Pioneer's DVR-108.
Let's have a look at the media used.
|
CDR Brand |
Write Speed |
Write Time |
| Memorex (Ultra Speed) 24x |
24x |
4:27 |
| Ritek 24X CDRW |
24x |
4:32 |
3. Over-burning and 99min CDR Media
The NEC ND-3500A does not support 99min CDRs and
was only able to overburn slightly at about 90min. Anything over this
did fail. Attempts were done using Ritek and Melody branded 99min media.
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