Samsung SM-352B Combo


 

    Review: Samsung SM-352B review
Reviewer: OC-Freak
Firmware: T806
Manufactured: April 2003

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This time we will take a look at Samsungs latest combo drive; The SM-352B. Samsung is not a newcomer at the market but it's only in the past that they have started to focus on the Optical drive market and now their drives is available almost everywhere. In this review we will try to examine the drive to find out how it stands up against the competition.

Some Samsung facts:


This drive is made by the Optical Digital Drives division of Samsung electronics (now named Optical Media solution Division '“ OMS Division), and here is some information about them from the Samsung ODD website:

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As of January
16, 2002, ODD Division changed its name to Optical Media Solution Division, or
OMS Division. This is part of the Divisions enhanced commitment to the mid and
long term vision: diversifying single-product management; promoting
multi/interdisciplinary qualities and fusion technology; and creating new
business opportunities.

* OMS Division Overview:

1. Digital Media Trends



  • Accelerated development of digital media technology (Diverse formats leading the current markets are expected to be standardized)

  • Changes in media (contents) forms and standards: digital convergence products

  • Interface (USB, Bluetooth) standardization: Improved product compatibility

  • Accelerated
    development of optical storage technology: CD -> DVD (RAM, RW)
    ->DVD-Multi -> HD-DVD

  • Boundary collapse between products (New product domain has been created due to the fusion and multi/interdisciplinary trends in products)

  • Blurred boundaries between Information Technology, communications and Audiovisual sectors: WEB-TV, PDA, D-STB (VOD), Game machine and so forth.

  • Overlap of
    product domains: increased competition, esp. in the field of data storage
    devices (HDD, Memory, ODD, and so forth); consequential collision between
    businesses, which in turn requires timely and appropriate responses to create
    synergy like strategic partnership.

2. Division Mission & Characteristics of Digital Media
Business


The mission of the OMS Division is to satisfy the retailers, as well as the end users desire for information, entertainment and cultural activities by providing high-quality digital media products that are built upon the electronic, mechanical and optical technologies.
  • Characteristics of Digital Media Business:


    • Sensitive to timing; due to the fast-changing market
      conditions and technology that shortens the life cycle of a
      product.

    • Closely related to other products; especially sensitive to the changes in PC and content markets.

    • Hard to enter the market; the whole system of design, patent, manufacture and distribution is required.

    • Dependent on core components, which determine a company's competitiveness.

    Drive specifications:

    ITEM

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    CD-RW

    DVD/CD

    DISC

    Disc types supported
    in read mode

    DVD-ROM, DVD-VIDEO, DVD-R, DVD - RW, CD-DA (Audio),
    CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-Plus, CD-Extra,
    Photo-CD (Single, Multi-session), Video CD ready, Enhanced CD, CD-I/FMV, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-TEXT

    Erasing disc types

    CD-RW

    Disc diameter

    120 mm or 80 mm

    DRIVE
    PERFORMANCE

    Data transfer rate

    Recording

    CD-R:

    1200 KB/sec. (8X),

     

    2400 KB/sec. (16X), 3600 KB/sec. (24X),

     

    4800 KB/sec. (32X), 6000 KB/sec. (40X),

     

    7200 KB/sec. (48X), 7800 KB/sec. (52X)

     

    CD-RW :

     
     

    Ultra Speed Writing DISC:

     

    2400 KB/sec. (16X),

     

    3600 KB/sec. (24X),

       
     

    High Speed Writing DISC:

     

    1500 KB/sec. (10X),

       
     

    Low Speed Writing DISC:

     

    600 KB/sec. (4X),

    Reading

    CD/CD-R:

    CAV 52

    DVD:

    CAV 16

    Multiword DMA mode 2:16.6MB/sec
    Ultra DMA mode 2:33.3MB/sec

    Access time

    130ms

    130ms/110ms

    Data Buffer

    Bulk Type : 2MB

    Retail Pack : 8MB

    Laser

    Semiconductor laser

    Slide mechanism

    Stepping motor

    Spindle motor

    Brushless motor

    Load mechanism

    Tray. DC motor (Soft Eject). Horizontal/Vertical.

    ERROR RATE

    Mode 1: 1 block/10-12 , Mode 2: 1 block/10-9

    FRONT PANEL

    Eject button

    Auto eject or Auto inject

    Indicator

    If the Power is ON/BUSY, this means the disc is loaded.
    Green: Reading/Recording Status

    Headphone output

    Stereo mini-jack (é˜ 3.6 mm) 0.65V ± 20% (rms) 33 ohm

    Volume control

    Dial type

    REAR PANEL

    Required power

    +5 V : 1.2 A (rms), +12 VDC: 1.5 A (rms)

    Interface connector

    ATAPI (E-IDE)

    Audio output

    Line out 0.7V ± 20% : 47Kohm

    Jumper block

    Molex 70203 or other compatible models

    OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

    Operations

    Temperature: 5~45°C Humidity: 10~80%

    Storage

    Temperature: -25~60°C Humidity: 10~90%

    GENERAL

    Dimensions

    148.2 (W) x 42 (H) x 184 (D) mm (including bezel)

    Net weight

    750 g

    RELIABILITY

    MTBF

    100,000 POH(Duty 25%)

    The drive we have here is the retail version with 8Mb buffer. Specification wise it seems to be a clear winner drive and in this review we will try to see if this is true.

    Test machine:


    For this review we will be using a computer with the following configuration:

    Hardware:



    • Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-8KNXP with Intel i875P
      chipset.

    • Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2,8GHz 800MHz FSB with Hyper Threading support.

    • RAM: 1Gb PC3500 DDR

    • GFX: ATI Radeon 9800 pro

    • Sound: SB Audigy 2

    • Hard disks: 2 x Seagate Barracuda ATA IV 80Gb in RAID 0

    System set-up:

     

    The Samsung SM-352B was connected as Secondary master and identified itself as SAMSUNG CDRW/DVD SM352B. Both autorun and DMA (Direct Memory Access) was enabled for all devices.

    Software:

    Windows XP professional is installed on the computer along with Service Pack 1 for windows XP. We will be using the following software in this review:


    Head on to the next page and find out what the box we got contained…


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