Memorex DVD16+/-DL4RWlD2 16x DVD Burner Review


 

 

Review: Memorex DVD16+/-DL4RWlD2
Reviewer: pchilson
Provided by: Memorex
Firmware:
JWS5
Manufactured: Feburary 2005

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Memorex was kind enough to send us their latest DVD-Writer; the Memorex DVD16+/-DL4RWlD2 Double Layer, Dual Format DVD recorder. This drive supports 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 4x DVD+R9 writing technologies which allows you to burn double layer discs with a capacity of 8.5GB.

Memorex has the following description on the box regarding this product:

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This Memorex Double-Layer Dual Format DVD Recorder ushers DVD recording into an advanced, new era. The dual-format capability takes the guesswork out of choosing the right discs, while the double-layer feature allows for the creation of commercial quality DVD+R9 discs with as much as 8.5GB of data. A comprehensive and powerful software suite from Nero makes recording CDs and DVDs easy and fun!

Memorex history and information :

We found the following information on the Memorex website:

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Memorex Products, Inc.

Since Memorex burst onto the recording scene more than 30 years ago with "Is it live or is it Memorex?" a lot has changed. But with each generation, Memorex continues to remain one of the most widely recognized and respected names in the consumer electronics industry. By bringing to market the high performance products consumers demand, today Memorex is a dominant brand in CD and DVD media, optical drives, flash drives and computer accessories. Memorex is the number one retail provider of digital media, currently shipping more than 750 million

CD and DVD discs each year to stores nationwide '“ enough to carpet the entire state of New York!! For 2003, Memorex retained its position as the number one provider of digital media, outperforming all other brands of optical media. For the fourth consecutive year in the CD category and second consecutive year in DVDs, Memorex led its competitors in all digital media in both volume and sales. Catering to 21 of the top 25 U.S. retailers, Memorex products are available in more than 23,000 retail locations nationwide. Worldwide, Memorex sells nearly a billion optical discs annually in its major international markets, which include Europe and Canada. From the recordable audio cassette that propelled the Memorex brand into market dominance in the early 1970s, to the industry's first inkjet printable CDs, to the high-speed and double-layer DVD discs of today, no other company has achieved as much success in the digital media marketplace as Memorex, truly symbolizing the meaning of its name '“ 'memory excellence". To complement the enormous demand for media, Memorex has entered into new markets over the years '“ and succeeded. With high-speed performance, stylish looks and competitive prices, Memorex CD and DVD drives have been recognized as the industry's best. Memorex drives have been named Editor's Choice by PC Magazine, Editor's Pick and Best Buy by PC World, and have consistently been ranked among the top brands of DVD burners by countless other consumer and technology publications. For consumers looking to take important files, music, or digital photos on the go, the Memorex family of TravelDrivesTM offers sleek and stylish high performance storage in a device small enough to fit on a keychain. Currently available with 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and 2GB of capacity and featuring the slimmest profile among portable flash drives, Memorex TravelDrives are ideal for securely transferring digital files between home, school, the office, or even between Mac and PC. Memorex also offers a complete line of media accessories, including CD and DVD labeling tools, storage cases and computer cleaning products. The Memorex brand continues to endure, serving as the ultimate benchmark for separating the 'wanna-be" from the real thing. Is it live or is it Memorex? You decide.

Memorex Milestones

How It All Began

1961 Memorex is formed, delivering data backup tapes for the emerging computer industry.

1971 Memorex launches recordable audio cassettes and one of the most memorable campaigns in television history, the image of Ella Fitzgerald's recorded voice shattering a wine glass and the phrase, 'Is it live or is it Memorex?"

1979 The video library is born with the introduction of recordable VHS tape.

Recent History

1996 Recordable CD-R's open up a world of new possibilities where photos, music, data '“ anything digital '“ can be saved to a portable, reliable low-cost disc for the next 70 years.

1998 Memorex launches its branded optical drives (CD Recorders).

2000 Memorex emerges the market share leader in retail sales of optical media.

2001 Memorex delivers the Recordable Pocket CD-R, a disc only three inches in diameter, but boasting 185 MB of storage space.

2001 Memorex Recordable DVDs deliver consumers enough storage space to hold an entire set of encyclopedias in one hand.

2002 Memorex expands its branded optical drive line-up by launching internal and external DVD Recorders.

2002 Memorex introduces its first USB flash drive, the ThumbDrive. The ultimate in portable storage, ThumbDrives are able to hold up to 512MB of data, music, or other digital files, with USB 1.1 compatibility.

2003 Memorex expands its USB flash drive product line-up by introducing an all new, uniquely designed High Speed USB 2.0 TravelDrive. The USB flash drive market grows by 1,500 percent from 2002 to 2003.

2003 Memorex introduces an award-winning dual format DVD recorder, expanding the product line to 10 active models, more than any other tier one retail branded optical drive marketer.

2003 Memorex remains number one in sales of digital CD and DVD media and emerges as a leader in the DVD drive marketplace, garnering PC Magazine Editor's Choice, PC Magazine Best Of 2003, PC World Editor's Pick and PC World Best Buy honors.

2003 Memorex is the first to bring to market DVD 120 discs '“ the VHS tape replacement '“ expressly for home video DVD recording.

2004 Memorex leads the charge to deliver standardized dual-layer DVD media and drives to market.

2004 Memorex expands its TravelDrive family to include the industry's largest storage capacities '“ 1GB and 2GB '“ making portable storage virtually limitless.

Company Info
Company History

 

 
   

Forty years ago, a group of engineers joined together to produce a backup medium for the computer industry. The name of their new venture? You guessed it - Memorex.

1961 was a big year. While NASA launched the first manned space capsule, we launched Memorex. Our earliest products were Data Backup Tapes for the emerging computer industry. But within a few short years, our engineers had developed a line of Recordable Tapes for consumers. Our business and product line continued to grow. And by 1971, Memorex introduced Recordable Audio Cassettes. The rest, as they say, is history.

Our entrance into the Audio Cassette market was kicked off by a landmark advertising campaign. The image of Ella Fitzgerald's recorded voice shattering a wine glass was seen and remembered by millions. And the accompanying theme line, "Is it live or is it Memorex?," was quickly adopted by mainstream
America. 30 years later, the phrase continues to pop up in countless interviews, talk shows and conversations '” still serving as the ultimate benchmark for separating the "wanna-be" from the "real thing."

 

Audio Tape
In 1971, Memorex launched Recordable Audio Cassettes with one of the most memorable campaigns in television history, and led the industry in sales for the next 20 years.

Video Tape
In 1979, we followed our success in Audio Tape with the launch of Recordable VHS tape. Soon, bookshelves across
America displayed a new kind of library '” the video library.

Recordable CD-R
In 1996, Recordable CD-Rs opened up a world of new possibilities. Photos, music, data '” anything digital, now had a portable, low-cost home for the next 100 years.

Flash Media
In 2000, as media formats grew smaller, capacities continued to expand. The Memorex CompactFlash and SmartMedia cards are smaller than a matchbook, yet holds hundreds of digital photos.

Pocket CD-R
This year we introduced our Recordable Pocket CD-R. Pocket CD-R goes where no CD-R has ever gone before at 3 inches.
It is another "small" breakthrough in media.

DVD
A lot can happen in 40 years. This year's introduction of our Recordable DVD lets you hold an entire set of encyclopedias in one hand. Where will it end? Check back with us in another 40 years.

For more information you can visit the Memorex website.

Drive specifications:


Read Speed

  • DVD-ROM 16x (21600KB/sec) maximum by CAV
  • CD-ROM 48x (7200KB/sec) maximum by CAV

DVD Write Speed

  • DVD+R 16x (21600KB/sec) maximum by CAV
  • DVD-R 16x (21600KB/sec) maximum by CAV
  • DVD+R9 4x (5400KB/sec) maximum by CLV

DVD Re-Write Speed

  • DVD+RW 8x (10800KB/sec) by Z-CLV
  • DVD-RW 6x (8100KB/sec) by CLV

CD Write Speed

  • CD-R 48x (7200KB/sec) maximum by P-CAV

CD Re-Write Speed

  • CD-RW 24x (3600KB/sec) maximum by Z-CLV on UltraSpeed disc

Disc Compatibility:

Records

  • DVD+R
  • DVD+R9
  • DVD+RW
  • DVD-R
  • DVD-RW
  • CD-R DA
  •   CD-R
  • CD-RW

Read / Play

  • DVD-ROM
  • DVD-VIDEO
  • DVD+R
  • DVD+RW
  • DVD-R
  • DVD-RW
  • CD-EXTRA
  • CD-I
  • CD-ROM
  • AUDIO CD
  • CD-R
  • CD-RW
  • CD-ROM XA
  • CD TEXT
  • PHOTO CD
  •   HYBRID CD
  •   VIDEO CD
  • ENHANCED CD

Writing Modes 

  • TAO
  • DAO
  • RAW DAO
  • RAW DAO 16
  • RAW DAO 96
  • SAO
  • RAW SAO
  • RAW SAO 16
  • RAW SAO 96
  • Multi-session
  •   Packet Writing

Buffer

  • 2 MB

Access time

  • DVD : 160ms
  • CD : 160ms

Interface

  • E-IDE (ATAPI) UDMA 33

Supported OS

  • Windows® 98SE/Me/2000/XP


What's inside the box?


On this page we will take a look at what the drive came shipped with and take a look at the drive and its technology.


Front


Back


Top

      

Left side                                     Right Side

Below you will see the contents of the retail box:

Along with the drive the retail bundle includes:

  • Quick Install Map and Installation Guide
  • IDE and Audio Cables
  • Installation screws
  • Blank 16x DVD+R Media
  • Nero Memorex Software Suite Installation Disc

Now it's time to take a look at the drive itself:

The Memorex drive sets itself apart from other drives we've had by providing a more stylized front bezel with a silver tray.

Also the use of a blue LED makes for just a touch more class, it lights steady while reading and flashes while writing.

On the top of the drive is this label which shows the drive was manufactured in China in February of 2005.

On the back of the drive there is the usual connectors, from the left: six pins used transfer individual calibration data to the drive at the factory, digital audio connector, analogue audio connector, pins and jumper to set the drive to cable select, slave or master, IDE connector and power connector.

The drive was installed without any problems and here is a screenshot from Nero info tool:

 

From this screenshot we see Mt. Rainier is not supported and there is only a 2mb buffer. Our drive came shipped with firmware JWS5.

And another shot from Nero Burning ROM:

 

We do not really find anything alarming here, but Mount Rainier and a larger buffer would have been nice.

So, let's continue with the review and see how this drive really performs.

On the next page we will take a look at the test machine, the software, the drive features and the included software…………


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