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Emprex EDW4020
by isvikthere
* * * UPDATE AUGUST 2004 : This Taiwanese hardware manufacturer finally seems to be back on-line. Their site is now simply http://www.emprex.com. Firmware updates for their optical drives are available for download and now there's even a small FAQ section. * * * ---Introduction In one of my other ... contributions here on dooyoo.uk I've been rambling on about the advent of DVD-rewriters.
So a short while back I bit the bullet and purchased such a device.
---The Emprex
In fact buying this exact DVD-burner was a bit of a gamble as I was completely unfamiliar with the brand and not much info was even to be found about it on the net. I'm not saying that any comments you find on the net about something are 100% trustworthy - e.g. my reviews ;-) - but it's always a good indication nevertheless.
One thing that puzzles me however is that the own EMPREX homepage (http://www.emprex.com.tw) seems to be unavailable at the time I'm writing this, I hope this is not a bad sign.
If I would have really wanted to play it safe I could simply have gone for one of the bigger brands e.g. Pioneer, Sony, Plextor, and others, which by now all now have their multistandard DVDrewriters on the market, with prices just a bit over the price of the Emprex.
However, I did discover that this dvdrewriter is in fact a clone of a model sold by a less unfamiliar brand namely BTC (http://www.btceurope.nl/english/2-2-dvd_rw.htm#1004).
---Features:
- 4x DVD+/-R Write, 4X DVD+RW / 2X DVD-RW, 12X DVD-ROM Read
- 40x CD-R Write, 24x CD-RW Rewrite, 40x CD-ROM Read
- Supports easy drag & drop function
- Software for audio/video authoring and editing included
- Includes MTKSuperLink buffer underrun error prevention technology
---Specifications:
Model name EDW4020
Interface E-IDE/ATAPI
Disc data capacity (CD) 74min/650MB, 80mi
n/700MB (DVD) 4.7GB
Supported media for writing DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW
Writing formats (DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW) DVD-ROM, DVD-Video(CD) CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-Extra, CD-I, Mixed-Mode CD, Video CD, Photo CD, CD-TEXT, Bootable CD, CD-R, CD-RW, Multi-Session
Writing methods (DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW) Random Access Write,
Sequential Write(CD-R/RW) Track at Once, Disc at Once, Session at Once, Multi-Session, Packet Writing
Writing speed (DVD+/-R, DVD+RW) 1x, 2x, 4x
(DVD-RW) 1x, 2x
(CD-R) 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x
(CD-RW) 4x, 10x, 16x, 24x
Reading speed (DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW) max. 6x
(CD-R) max. 40x, (CD-RW) max. 32x
(CD-ROM) max. 40x, (DVD-ROM) max. 12x
Data transfer rate Max. 33MB/sec
Access time (DVD) 160 ms (12X)
(CD) 130 ms (40X)
Data buffer 2 MB
Disc loading Tray (motorized)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 148.6 x 41.8 x 193.3 mm
Weight 1 Kg
Mounting method Horizontal
As you can see this baby can read and write on almost anything and it really does all that. For now I've already tested it with CD-R (Silvercircle), DVD-R (Princo), DVD-RW (Philips) and DVD+R (generic).
It takes it about fifteen minutes to fill a blank DVD-R, lead-in and lead-out included.
---Warning
However one thing you need to do to avoid all problems is flashing it with the latest
firmware. (Firmware is a sort of hardware driver that resides on the burner in a flashable memory chip.)
This may sound intimidating but it's really not that hard to do.
How to proceed for this is very well explained here :
http://www.btceurope.nl/english/3-1-4driver_download_dvd_dual.htm
This is normally also indicated on the own EMPREX homepage, but since it seems to be unavailable now..
---Included soft- and hardware
My DVDburner came with Ahead Nero in its version 5.5.10, which in the meantime I upgraded
to version 6.0.0.29.
Another nice addition is that the Emprex burner (and not the BTC version) is sold with both the classic beige and a neat BLACK frontplate, so you can choose the one which blends in best with your PC. The frontplate on the burner is easily changed, first remove the
tray frontplate and then the big frontplate.
Also included are a sound cable, screws, an IDE cable, Nero Burning and a blank DVD+RW disc.
I did see on a US-forum that some models are sold with Roxio version 6 instead of Nero.
---Conclusion
I am pleased with my purchase but with the 8x DVD-/+R models already out I do feel a should have waited just a tad longer to either get this Emprex 4x DVD-/+R device for even less dinero or the faster 8X model for the same price.
The newer 8X DVDwrite models give you a full DVD in about 8 minutes !
My choice was based on three criteria : the resale price, the fact that an additional black frontplate came with it and finally because it also had good speeds for CD(re)writing.
But all in all my gamble paid off well as I am quite pleased with the result and feel I am ready to tackle any silvery disc that is tossed in my direction.
Cheers,
Vik
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Philips Jackrabbit 3
by smoothguy777
Philips JackRabbit 3 ? Play while you work! The recently launched Philips JackRabbit 3 is a CD rewriter that believes it's a DVD player! Unusual name with more unusual features is what JackRabbit 3 is all about; it genuinely has a multifaceted personality! It acts as a CD rewriter, and DVD-Rom drive for ... your PC and MAC both, here is the prize catch if you hook this Rabbit to your TV it performs as a standalone DVD Video player.
Whenever you wanna burn (Copy) all your data, audio, video files from your computer to a Blank CD all you need to do is plug in the Rabbit to your USB 2.0 port (don?t worry ?USB? is just a type of a slot on the back of your PC and on either side of your Laptop) and you are on, it can write a standard CD at 32x speed (I know it?s a bit slow!) and has bundled enough software for PC and MAC both.
Rabbit when used as a DVD player works very well to be honest, I could hardly see any picture quality difference while watching ?Erin Brockovich? on Rabbit as well as on my normal Pioneer DVD player, and trust me I am not getting old.
The sad part is it makes this ?chopper sound? whizzzzz?. when the disc is spinning which is quite noisy and disturbing?
This Rabbit comes with lots of legs (connections) you get a blend of video connectors, analogue, digital audio and S-Video out and a headphone slot as well.
The bundled remote is quite decent in size and has pretty user-friendly buttons; overall this Rabbit is a good option as MFD (Multi Functional Device) incase you have not invested in a good portable CD writer and a DVD player for your PC and TV both.
Rabbit is ideal for all those on the move, as you can slip it inside your Laptop bag and you can burn CD?s or watch movies at cafes, airports, in-flight, etc
Key features include:
32x writing speed, 10x rewriting speed, 40x CD reading speed, 12x DVD read speed, PC and Mac compatible, supported media: DVD-Vid
eo, DVD-ROM, CD-Audio, CD-ROM, VCD, CD Extra, CD Text, Photo CD, MP3 CD, connections: 1 x S-Video, 1 x composite, 1 x 3.5mm headphones jack, 1 x 3.5mm line-out jack, 1 x 3.5mm digital audio jack, 1 x USB 2.0 (even supports USB 1.1)
Philips London is selling JackRabbit 3 @ approximate 250 sterling pounds (Approx INR 20,000) and it is definitely a steal for that price!
Mehul Patel is the Consulting Director of KIPL.Net - Digital Design & Communications, The author can be reached via email on mehul@kipl.net
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