Jack of all Trades ... but is it a Master of any? (Toshiba SD R1002)

Member Name: manhunter

Product:	Toshiba SD R1002
Date:	10/05/02 (331 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Solid DVD playback, Reliable CD writing, Well thought out software bundle

Disadvantages: Only 4x speed writing, Only 3 blank discs supplied

I had a problem. I was keen on fitting a DVD ROM drive in my PC, but I also needed a CD-writer and there was already a "normal" CD rom drive in my computer. Two devices required, but only one drive bay spare.

I considered removing the CD rom and purchasing 2 new drives, but then I discovered the Toshiba SD-R1002 "combo" drive - an ingenious device which is actually a CD ROM, CD/r writer, CD/rw re-writer AND DVD ROM player ALL-IN-ONE!

The price seemed reasonable at 150.00 at the time, so I went ahead and bought one of the drives. I was somewhat nervous about the installation process, particularly seeing as I already had one drive present AND I had never actually installed a CD drive of any kind before.

I needn't of worried though, because the installation process was a breeze. The software installation was slightly more confusing due to poor documentation, but saying that I took it steady and I had no problems. Within 30 minutes of the starting the installation process I was burning my first CD/r !

Regarding the software bundle, there is a mix of software included, starting with the excellent WinDVD for DVD playback and the equally good "InstantCD Wizard Gold" for CD writing and re-writing. The rest of the bundle comprises mainly of utilities and the like, all of which have a use in the day-to-day usage of the drive unit.

The write speed of the unit is a modest 4x speed, but this still means a complete CD audio album can be copied within 10 minutes under optimum conditions, which isn't bad at all!

Also included in the box was a CD label pen, 2 CD/r discs and 1 CD/rw disc. At the time I thought that this was rather un-generous of Toshiba, but the price of blank discs is so low at the moment it did not affect the quality of the package.

Since I installed the drive I can remember a couple of "write failures" leading to discarded discs, but in fairness to the dr
ive, this was probably down to faulty discs and not the drive itself. I have experienced no problems at all with DVD playback, although I do not use this feature as much I originally thought I would (through no fault of the drive though)

Overall then, I can recommend this product quite highly. I tries to be a Jack of All Trades and a Master of All too ... and just about pulls it off!

Summary: