Review: Mad Dog MD-16XDVD9-8X |
Mad Dog Multimedia was kind enough to send us their latest internal 16x DVD± Double-Layer, the Mad Dog MD-16XDVD9-8X.
This drive supports 16x DVD±R writing, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 8x DVD+R9 DL writing technology, allowing double layer discs of 8.5Gb to be written.
Company information: | ||
Welcome to Mad Dog Multimedia, a technology company that designs, manufactures and markets multimedia and peripheral products. We exist to satisfy the consumer by creating cutting-edge products that set the bar for quality and value and we provide incomparable service and support for these products. ADVERTISEMENT
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Drive Features and Requirements:
Features
16X DVD±R Single Layer Writer
Simplify! Convert your old VCR tapes
to a manageable number of DVD
discs that will last for generations.
Create digital photo albums that will
last forever! Supports all the popular
formats including DVD-Video, DVD-Data, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R
and DVD-RW.
8X DVD+R Double Layer Write Speed
6X DVD-R Double Layer Write Speed
Store up to 27,000 of your favorite pictures or up to 2,000 songs on ONE Double Layer DVD+R Disc. And do it at nearly twice the speed of competitive Dual Layer DVD writing products!
8X DVD+RW Rewriter
6X DVD-RW Rewriter
Rewrite to the same RW media.
Create a library of your favorite
songs or a digital photo album with
thousands of pictures.
48X CD-R Writer
Burn! Back-up your hard drive. Record CDs, compile different type tracks such as MP3s, WAVs, WMAs or create your family picture albums.
32X CD-RW Rewriter
No need for data you have already recorded? Simply rewrite to your same CD-RW media. Eliminate that Zip Drive and its costly media!
16X DVD-ROM
Access your movies fast '“ 160ms average access time. Watch your favorite home movies that you create or your favorite movies. Supports DVD-R discs, Video discs and Photo CDs.
48X CD-ROM
Access data fast '“ 140ms average access time. Save time when loading or installing large applications. Supports all popular CD formats including CD-text, Audio CDs/DVDROM/Audio CDs, Data CDs/CD-R and CDRW media
Minimum System Requirements
PC Compatible
Pentium III 800 MHz or equivalent (minimum)
Pentium 4 1.7 GHz or equivalent (recommended)
128 MB RAM (minimum)
256 MB RAM (recommended)
1 '“ 10 GB HDD available storage
Operating System Support
Windows XP
Windows ME
Windows 2000
Windows 98SE
Drive specifications:
We listed the specifications of the drive and retail package as found on the Mad Dog Multimedia Website.
Specifications
Model Number | MD-16XDVD9-8X |
DVD Read | DVD-Video, DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-18, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW |
CD Read | CD-DA, CD-ROM XA (Mode 1, Mode-2 (Form-1, Form-2), CD-R, CDRW, Bootable CD, Photo CD (single and multi-session), Video CD, Super Video CD, CD-Extra, Mixed-Mode CD, CD-Text, CD-Graphics |
DVD Write | DVD-Video, DVD-Data, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW |
CD Write | Track-at-once, Disc-at-once, Multisession, Packet Writing (fixed and variable), CD Digital Audio, Direct-Over-Write on CD-RW, Simulation Write |
Data Transfer Rate(s) | |
DVD±R | Read 16X (~22 MB/sec) Max. |
DVD+R DL | Read 7X (~10 MB/sec) Max. |
DVD-R DL | Read 7X (~10 MB/sec) Max. |
DVD+RW | Read 13X (~17.5 MB/sec) Max. |
DVD-RW | Read 13X (~17.5 MB/sec) Max. |
DVD-ROM | Read 16X (~22 MB/sec) Max. (SL) |
DVD-Video | Read 8X (~11 MB/sec) Max. |
CD-R /RW | 48X (7,200 KB/s) for CD-R Recording (Max.) |
Disc Supported Formats | DVD-ROM, DVD+R, DVD+R-DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-R-DL, DVD-RW, CD-Audio, CD-ROM (mode 1 and mode 2), CD-ROM XA (mode 2, form 1 and form 2), Photo CD (single and multiple sessions), CD Extra, CD-RW, CD-TEXT discs |
Disc Size(s) | 120mm and 80mm |
Access Time(s) | DVD - 160ms (Average) |
Buffer Memory | 2 MB |
Buffer Under Run | Proprietary |
IDE Bus Interface | PIO Mode 4 |
Weight | 2.20 lbs. (1.0kg) ± 5% (Body Only) |
Dimensions | 5.75" W x 1.6" H x 7.5" L (148.2mm x 42mm x 190mm) |
Power | +5V DC (±5%) |
Mounting Method | Horizontal or Vertical |
EMI/Safety | cRUus, FCC, UL, CSA, TUV, CE |
Environmental Conditions | Operating: ~ 41°F - 113°F (20% - 80% RH) |
Operating Humidity | 20% to 90% (non-condensing) |
MTBF | 70,000 Hours (POH) |
OS Compatibility | Windows XP / 2000 / ME / 98SE |
Software Supported | Roxio EasyCD Creator, WinDVD and PowerDVD |
Box Contents
⋅ MegaSTOR™ 6-in-1 16X DVD±RW
⋅ Quick Setup Guide
⋅ Nero Software CD
⋅ Mounting Screws
You may find further information on the Mad Dog Multimedia Website.
What's inside the box?
On this page we will take a look at what the retail bundle includes and take a look at the drive and its technology.
First some shots of the retail packaging.
Front
Back
Top
Left Side
Right Side
Quick Setup Guide
A solid retail bundle to get you started!
Now it's time to take a look at the drive itself:
The bezel styling is plain and functional. We can see the Mad Dog logo, a single coloured (green LED) and emergency eject hole and an eject/close button.
On the rear of the drive starting from the left, we can see a digital audio connector, an analogue audio connector, jumpers for setting the drive to cable select, slave, or master, an IDE interface connector and lastly a power connector.
On the top of the drive we found one label, and we can see the drive was manufactured in Malaysia in May 2005.
We installed the drive without any problems and here is a screenshot from Nero info tool:
From the screenshot above, we notice a 2MB buffer size and the installed firmware version 1.F0.
And another shot from Nero Burning ROM:
Nero Burning ROM claims Overburn support. This is contrary to our findings. More on this later. We also notice no Bitsetting support in Nero.
But let's continue this review and see how it really performs.
On the next page we will take a look at the test machine, the software, the drive features and the included software…………