Write Tests:

For the write tests, we used Nero 5.5.8.13.  This was used to measure write speeds with different types of media along with some of the write control features of the drive.  The FULL CAV method is used for writing.  It will start the writing process at a low speed and gradually increase, eventually hitting 44x.  Two copies were burnt.  One with Optimum Write Speed Control OFF/ON.  With OWSC enabled, the recorder will determine the suitable speed depending on the quality of the media used.

7. Nero - 80min CDR OWSC ON

As shown in the screen shot below, I used 78min of audio data to get the most

accurate 80min speed results.

With OWSC enabled, Memorex media was the fastest at 3:17.  I was quite surprised to see media from Ritek end up dead last in these tests. 

8. Nero - 80min CDR OWSC OFF

With OWSC disabled, The results were quite different.  Ritek came out the fastest at a whopping 3:05.  Pretty damn fast for 80min of data. 

ReWrite Tests: 

For The ReWrite tests, We used both Nero 5.5.8.13 and InCD 3.320 for packet writing tests.

9. Nero - CDRW/CDRW HS

For the test in Nero, I used two different CDRW media.  One low speed (1x-4x) and one new HS 24x media included in the retail package.

Yamaha is the first to release a 24x Rewritable drive.  And indeed it's fast! Using the included high speed CDRW labeled "For Use With CRW-F1 Only", it wrote 540MB of data in just 3:26.  Nice.

10. InCD - Packet Writing Tests

We tested the time it took to read/write to the CDRW using both P-CAV and CAV method.  I created a directory of misc files ranging from 5k - 30MB totaling 500MB.

You can enable/disable the CAV writing method in InCD as shown below.  You'll notice that Mt. Rainier formatting can also be enabled/disabled from here. (More on MRW later).

Both Write/Read times increased when enabling CAV.  Formatting the disc took 4:33.

11. Mt. Rainier Tests

Although the drive supports the new Mt. Rainier format, third party software like Ahead

Software's InCD would need to be used.  This is due to the lack of OS support.  This should be a new standard and companies,  including Microsoft, are working on adding this capability to their Operating Systems.

The time it takes to perform these tasks take longer due to the background formatting that takes place.  However, enabling CAV produced much better results.  Formatting the disc to only 27 seconds.

Advanced audio mastering is a high quality writing mode that can be selected at the write dialog in Nero.

One important thing to note is that when recording in this mode, available recording time is reduced from what is normally available on the blank CD.  We used a 80min CDR and was able to record a max of 65min to the CD.  If you attempt to write more, the following dialog will come up.  It will let you know before it starts the writing process.  A nice feature.

The maximum speed in the writing mode is 8x. 

We wrote 649MB of audio in 10:10.

This mode obviously will write much slower and will take more space, but it will not only improve legibility on the CD, but also preserves data on the CD longer than usual. 

You say, why would I want to record with this setting?  The answer is QUALITY.

Benefits include:

• Improves legibility

• Master Quality Audio

• Prevents skips on car CD player

• Plays beautifully on any player

Next:  More Tests!

Introduction Spec/Features Installation Read Tests Write Tests More Tests Conclusion