Memorex DVD+/-RWN16 D2 external DVD Burner Review

Test machine:

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

CPU: AMD Athlon XP 1533 MHz
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Motherboard: KT400-8235
BIOS: Phoenix 6.00 PG
Memory: 768 MB (60ns)
Sound: Avance AC97 Audio
Video: NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 Pro
Hard disk: Western Digital WD1600JB-00EVA0 160GB.

System set-up:

The Memorex 16×16 external was connected via USB 2.0 and identified as Memorex DVD+/-RWN16 D2. Autorun was enabled for all devices. We performed most of our tests using the USB 2.0 interface. Any tests performed on the Firewire connection will be specifically noted.

Software:

Windows XP Professional SP2 is installed on this computer. We will be using the following software in this review:

⋅         DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0
⋅         DVDIdentifier 3.6.2
⋅         K-Probe v2.4.2
⋅         Nero Burning ROM version 6.6.0.12
⋅         Nero CD/DVD Speed v3.70
⋅         Nero InfoTool v3.01
⋅         Slysoft CloneCD v5.1.0.0
 

Installation and supported features:

Our drive came shipped with firmware 2.AC. We quickly connected the drive without any problems. Upon installation, we immediately updated to firmware version 2.AD. You will also notice that the window is titled “NEC Drive Firmare Flash Utility”, since this drive is based on the NEC ND-3500A DVD writer.

 Memorex firmware update utility.

After a quick reboot we pulled up Nero InfoTool to obtain the following screenshot.

Here we can see that the drive supports most DVD features with the exception of DVD-RAM and DVD-R DL. It does not support Mt. Rainier, but very few drives support this. The buffer size is listed as 2MB, however some other drives are built with an 8MB buffer. A larger buffer is preferred, but this is a minor complaint. All in all, the supported features look very good.

Here is another screenshot from Nero Burning ROM:

We do not see anything out of the ordinary here. The Memorex 16×16 external also supports bitsetting, which is definitely a positive feature. DVD+R DL discs are automatically given a Book Type of DVD-ROM. DVD+R and DVD+RW discs can be given a DVD-ROM Book Type using the utility built into Nero Burning ROM.

Included software:

Here we will take a look at the software that is included with the drive. Please take note that we may not use the included software in the performance testing part of the review.

With Nero’s Memorex Software Suite, creating DVDs and CDs is a snap. This suite includes:

• Nero Express 6
• Nero Vision Express 2
• Nero Showtime
• Nero Cover-Designer
• PhotoShow Elite
• Nero InCD
• Nero BackITup
• Nero Recode 2
• Nero Tool Kit

Memorex did a great job including this Nero suite.

Now it’s time to take a look at the reading performance! Head on over to the next page…