TDK VeloCD 24x10x40x CD-RW Review

Introduction

It seems the speed of CD burners are getting faster and faster by the day. I remember I had a 8x4x10 back at the first of this year. Just when I thought it was fast, they came out with something better and faster. Now they have drives reaching 24x write 10x rewrite and 40x read. They also have a new technology out that is called "Burn-Proof", and this technology is packed in this TDK VeloCD burner. With all the bells and whistles packed in this burner, at a price of $138 you couldn't ask for more!



What good is a CDRW drive without CDR's and CDRW's ? Well, I went over at pricewatch to see what the going price was on 24x CDR's and CDRW's. I was very suprised actually. I thought they would be alot more expensive than they were. The 24x certified 50 pack; 730MB audio (700MB data); Unbranded white top surface (inkjet printable), are going for about $28 bucks. As for the CDRW's you can get 50pack 10x 74min / 650MB CD-RW Rewritable Blank Discs Media for a hefty price of $50 dollars. I don't think anyone would really need 50 CDRW's, unless you backup alot of data every week or something. Actually, I think all I'm going to ever need, is the one CDRW that came boxed in this CDRW drive that I'm reviewing :)

What you get

TDK VeloCD 24x10x40 CDRW

(2) 80min 24x CDR's

(1) 74min 10x CDRW

TDK Permanent CD marker

Screws (So you can mount your burner)

IDE cable

Lots of instructions

Installation VHS video On CD-

TDK Digital MixMaster

Ahead Nero 5.5

InCD Packet Writing

MusicMatch Jukebox

Adobe ActiveShare

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Bonus MP3 Tracks ( They aren't any good :) )





Features

I think I'll start off with one of the best features of the TDK VeloCD ReWriter, the new "burn-proof technology". The new burn-proof technology allows you to burn a CD while running multiple applications. With BURN-Proof write assurance technology, buffer underrun errors are eliminated. You're free to burn CDs while you surf the Web, download music or print a document. So, no more failed sessions or no more CD coasters added to your current collection :) Another great feature, besides the blazzing write speed, is the 40x digital audio extracting speed. TDK says, with the 40x digital audio extracting you can rip a 3-minute audio track in 5 seconds! We will test that theory out later on in the review :)

Requirements
Minimum System Requirements:
· 233 MHz Intel Pentium processor or equivalent
· 64MB RAM
· 160 MB available hard disk space for software installation
· 700 MB available hard disk space for temporary CD-image files (optional)
· Available standard half-height drive bay
· Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/NT 4.0

Specifications

Here are the specs taking directly from TDK's website:

Performance Specifications:

· Read/Write 40X read* 24X write* 10X rewrite** 40X audio rip* · Burst Read 16.6 MB/sec · Data Buffer 2 MB with BURN-Proof ™ · Spindle Motor Brushless · Error Rate Mode 1: 1 Block/1012 Bits Mode 2: 1 Block/109 Bits

Disc Specifications:

· Useable Formats: Read CD-DA, CD-ROM (Mode 1), CD-ROM XA (Mode 2: form 1 or form 2), CD-ROM (Mixed Mode), Photo CD, VideoCD, CD-I (MPEG movies), CD-Extra, CD Text · Useable Formats: Write ISO 9660-HFS, Rockridge, Photo CD, VideoCD, CD-I, CD-Extra (CD-Plus), Enhanced CD, CD-Text, CD-Midi · Disc Diameter 12 cm diameter read/write (Recording time 74 and 80 min.); 8 cm diameter read · Writing Modes Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Multisession, Fixed and Variable Packet Writing

Front Panel:

· Eject Eject Button, Manual Emergency Eject, Software Eject · Lights Busy/Write · Disc Loading Auto · Headphone Jack Stereo mini-jack, 0.9V · Volume Control Thumbwheel · CD Audio Controls Eject

Rear Panel :

· Power Supply DC +5V at average 2.0 Amps DC +12V at average 2.0 Amps · Interface Connector IDE bus, 40-pin flat ribbon type. Interface complies with ANSI X3T13/1153D (ATA/ATAPI-4). Supports 59 commands, including special comands for CD-R. · Audio Output Stereo analog output, Molex connector (L*G*G*R), MPC3 standard · Jumper Switches Master, slave, cable select

Dimensions and Weight:

· Dimensions (W/H/D) 148mm x 42.3mm x 194.2mm, excluding front panel · Weight 950g

Reliability:

· MTBF 30,000 POH (20% duty cycle) · Tray Loading 20,000 Load Cycles

Note:

* Maximum Speed **4X-10X rewriting requires media with the High Speed Logo 1X-4X rewrite requires standard RW media