Tuesday, December 10, 2002

Introduction Truth be told, we never expected to get a chance to test a 52X CD-RW. Then, one day, lo' and behold, the Asus CRW-5224A showed up on our doorstep, thus giving us the opportunity to experience the dizzying speed of 52X writes, 24X re-writes, and 52X reads, all in one package.

The Asus CRW-5224A, like its predecessors, supports FlextraLink and FlextraSpeed technologies. The former is similar in function to the better know "Burn Proof" technology, which is meant to prevent the accidental transformation of CD-Rs into coasters during burn sessions. The trick consists of maintaining a data buffer, and programming the drive to stop burning if the data level falls below a certain level. Once that happens, the drive inserts a mark on the CD that it can use to tell where to pick-up its work once more data becomes available. This method has proven to be very effective at culling the coaster population.

Finally, for quite operation, the Asus CRW-5224A also incorporates the DDSS II ("Double Dynamic Suspension System"), which serves to reduce drive vibration, as well as "Auto Speed Adjustment" technology.

Like the CRW-4816A, the CRW-5224A's data buffer weighs in at a fairly lightweight 2MB.

Now, with all that out of the way, let's see to the review, shall we?

Next: The specifications.

Asus CRW-5224A