Panasonic SW-5582 Blu-ray Burner Review

August 3, 2006

Review: Panasonic SW-5582
Reviewed by: zevia & Wesociety
Provided by: SLI Direct - USA
Firmware: BZC3
Manufactured: n/a

SLI Direct USA was kind enough to send us the first Panasonic Blu-ray drive: the Panasonic SW-5582. This drive incorporates most of the existing optical media formats into one powerful machine. It supports the next generation Blu-ray media, DVD-RAM, Dual/Double Layer DVD recording and CD burning. Single layer Blu-ray recordable (BD-R) and Blu-ray re-writeable (BD-RE) 25GB and Double Layer BD-R/BD-RE 50GB are supported at 2X burn speed. As this is a first generation Blu-ray drive, single layer 4.7GB DVD burning is supported at 8X max, while Double Layer and Dual Layer Recording speed is 4X max. DVD-RAM recording is supported at 5x max and DVD Rewriteable speeds are 6X max. 24X max CD-R burning and 16X max CD-RW support means that you no longer need a separate CD Burner for high performance CD burning.

In this article we will show the performance of the SW-5582 Blu-ray drive by running the drive through many tests on a considerable amount of various CD/DVD/BD media.

Corporate Information:

We took a quick look at the company information found at Panasonic web pages:

Panasonic\'s vision of the digital future is driven by the needs and aspirations of our business customers and millions of consumers around the world who use our products every day. We share their dream to live a fuller life by providing ways of working smarter and enjoying the rewards of technological advances.

As we move forward together with our customers into the uncharted future of the 21st century with the prospect of future technologies and systems yet to be thought of, Panasonic\'s standards are still firmly grounded in the philosophy of company founder Konosuke Matsushita. He began our journey in 1918 by inventing a two-socket light fixture. Profound in its import yet elegantly simple, Konosuke Matsushita\'s breakthrough led to what is now one of the world\'s largest electronics companies. As he built Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., he never lost sight of the importance of putting the needs of his customers and the public first.

Panasonic will continue its Customer First tradition of creating new products that resolve the challenges in business and personal life, helping us all enjoy more of what life has to offer. The name Panasonic is synonymous with innovation, quality, performance and ease of use. We look forward to a bright and shining technological future, and to playing a leading role in the digitally networked society, propelled by the creativity and dedication of our employees here and around the world.

We develop \'? We devise solution \'? We help broadcast
We entertain \'? We lead \'? We are Panasonic

We manufacture

Panasonic takes pride in being one of the world\'s premier electronics manufacturers. Not only do we make the DVD players, televisions and dozens of other consumer electronics products enjoyed by millions, but we are also a supplier of electronics components. From tiny semiconductors, to DVD-ROM drives for PCs, to flat screen plasma TV displays, Panasonic engineers are always pushing the technological envelope. In fact, many companies use our high-volume, high-speed manufacturing expertise and know-how to create even better products, just one more way Panasonic enhances lifestyles around the world.

Panasonic is not only a premier maker of electronics hardware, it is also one of the largest global manufacturers of DVD entertainment software. The growing state-of-the-art Panasonic disc replication plant in Torrance, CA, supplies many of the DVD video discs Americans bring into their homes every night.

We develop

The popular DVD format is an excellent example of Panasonic\'s engineering and marketing prowess. Panasonic developed many of the key technologies that make possible DVD, the format that is now transforming home entertainment and the computer industry. Our engineers took that technology from the laboratory and created high-quality, affordable components for the industry. At the same time, we used our expertise in storage media to make DVD discs a reality.

For our DVD efforts, we were awarded a technical Emmy Award by the television industry. While we are proud of that award, it hasn\'t stopped the technological advances. Panasonic was first to introduce recordable DVD for the PC and is moving forward with recordable DVD players for video enthusiasts. And this is only the beginning.

We devise solutions

As you click through the Panasonic Web site, you\'ll quickly see the broad range of consumer, business, industrial and broadcast products offered. Business customers, seeing this wide range of expertise, have asked us to provide entire systemwide solutions for all their electronics needs. Our engineers are rising to the challenge. The demand for this one-stop shopping is becoming a major growth area for the company as technology becomes more sophisticated and omnipresent. No matter if it\'s a giant hotel, a stadium or a major metropolitan transit system, Panasonic is meeting customers\' needs.

We help broadcast

Panasonic is playing a major role in digital television broadcasting. High-definition and digital TV will have a major impact on the way we all watch television, and it\'s a dramatic change for the better, with vivid images that make you feel you\'re looking through a window instead of a TV screen. Panasonic is helping TV stations across the country as they make the transition to digital capability. We provide the broadcast cameras, video recorders, video format converters, editing consoles and other tools that make great programming possible. When ABC Sports decided to broadcast "Monday Night Football" and the Super Bowl in HDTV, Panasonic made it happen by providing an entire HD production mobile unit.

Panasonic also led the way in making the dream of digital TV a reality for consumers with the introduction of the first all-format digital TV set-top receiver/decoder and first consumer HDTV both of which were developed in the U.S. as well as other cutting edge displays, including flat panel plasma televisions that incorporate technology from our U.S. development center.

We entertain

Delve further into the Panasonic Web site and you\'ll see a wealth of consumer technologies that were unheard of a few years ago: High-Definition TVs, Digital TVs, the first HD VCR, progressive scan DVD players, Internet-capable cordless phones and the list goes on. You\'ll also find video and audio gear that simply deliver excellent sound and picture quality at affordable prices. That, too is part of the Panasonic promise.

We lead

As we move into the 21st century, people look to true innovators, technological leaders for products to enrich their personal lives and make their work life easier. Panasonic, as one of the world\'s premier technology companies, is devoting the resources in its global research laboratories and production divisions to make that bright future a reality.

Panasonic is leading the way with products and systems that are as obvious as our High-Definition TV systems. High-Definition Digital TV delivers picture and sound so realistic you feel like you\'re front row center in your favorite movie theatre. More subtly, we also make the cameras and broadcast equipment that record and edit HDTV shows that are transmitted to your home. Panasonic integrates and installs the security systems in major hotels and stadiums - and designs the cutting-edge, postage-stamp sized semiconductor memory that\'s revolutionizing the consumer electronics industry. Panasonic is the Emmy Award winner behind the DVD format that\'s transforming home entertainment. In fact, we not only helped create the format with breakthrough technologies but are also one of the top manufacturers of players and discs in the world.

And everything with the Panasonic name is backed by world-class customer service with team members who deeply believe in the philosophy of putting the customer first.

Our employees not only take care of their customers but they also contribute to their communities across the country. Panasonic takes pride in being a good neighbour. We invest in educational outreach that is so vital to vibrant communities everywhere. Panasonic is meeting the challenge of the new Digital Age in so many ways and on so many different levels. We welcome the dramatic and positive changes transforming the world around us.

Join us on the journey.

We are Panasonic

Panasonic is much more than a well-known brand name. It stands for the depth and diversity of our research capabilities, manufacturing expertise and product selection. It stands for the advanced technology of products, from easy-to-use consumer goods to sophisticated medical, broadcast, business and industrial systems.

More importantly, Panasonic stands for a commitment to quality, value and innovation. In North America, this commitment is backed up by employees working in research and development centers from California\'s Silicon Valley to Video Valley in New Jersey, state-of-the-art manufacturing plants, one of the country\'s largest customer call centers in Virginia and sales and service organizations that deal with the public and business-to-business relationships in nearly every state. In all of our dealings, the customer is always first. This was our bedrock philosophy through the 20th century and it will carry us through the 21st century.

~~~oOo~~~

Sunland International
www.slidirect.com

Sunland International, LLC (SLI) is a leading supplier of optical drives and related components to a variety of customers such as; system integrators, computer and server manufacturers, contract manufacturers, VAR\'s and global OEM\'s. SLI supplies a wide range of products including; slimline and half-height optical drives, recordable media, bridgeboards and adapters as well as a variety of custom storage solutions.

SLI was founded in 1999 as a distributor of technology components and solutions and has established long-term partnerships with top-level manufacturers and factories around the world. With a staff of Product Managers, Account Managers and Engineers on hand to help assist, plan and implement projects of all size and scope, SLI has become the supplier of choice to Global and Regional Integrators and OEM\'s around the world.

Contact SLI today at www.slidirect.com

Drive Overview:

The Panasonic Blu-ray SW-5582 drive is capable of reading data from and writing data on CD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD-RAM, and BD-R/BD-RE formats. The Panasonic Blu-ray SW-5582 is the next generation of storage offering 25 to 50 GB of data on one Blu-ray disc. Blu-ray drives will lead the way for data and high definition movie storage.

The new Panasonic SW-5582 Blu-ray drive is an advanced computer Blu-ray burner that uses Blu-ray writable (BD-R) and Blu-ray re-writeable (BD-RE) 25GB single layer and 50GB double layer Blu-ray discs for storage of data, computer backup, high-definition movies and more. With Panasonic Blu-ray drives you get backwards compatibility with all the most popular DVD media formats such as DVD RAM discs, Dual Layer DVD, Double Layer DVD, DVD+R/RW, and DVD-R/RW with CD-R/RW support too!

Panasonic Blu-ray drives are the industries first, fastest, and most compatible Blu-ray drives. With the power of a Blu-ray burner comes the next generation of data storage technology. Able to burn 25GB on a single layer Blu-ray disc and up to 50GB on a double layer Blu-ray disc, the Panasonic SW-5582 has created a future for high density and secure computer and data storage including backup, high definition movies, photos and anything else you can imagine.

Drive specifications:

Now let us take a look at the specifications of the Panasonic Blu-ray SW-5582.

Model	Panasonic Blu-ray SW-5582
Interface	ATAPI (EIDE) internal interface
Loading Method	Tray Load
Performance - Write	BD-R SL/DL: 2X CLV (max.) writing BD-RE SL/DL: 2X CLV (max.) rewriting DVD-RAM: 5X CLV (max.) rewriting DVD+R DL: 4X CLV (max.) writing DVD-R DL: 4X CLV (max.) writing DVD+R: 8X Z-CLV (max.) writing DVD+RW: 8X Z-CLV (max.) rewriting DVD-R: 8X Z-CAV (max.) writing DVD-RW: 6X CLV (max.) rewriting CD-R: 24X Z-CLV (max.) writing CD-RW: 16X Z-CLV (max.) rewriting
Performance - Read	BD-ROM SL/DL: 2x CLV (max.) BD-R SL/DL: 2X CLV (max.) BD-RE SL/DL: 2X CLV (max.) DVD-RAM: 5x CLV (max.) DVD+R DL: 8X CAV (max.) DVD-R DL: 8X CAV (max.) DVD-ROM (dual layer): 8X CAV (max.) DVD-Video (with CSS): 6x CAV (max.) DVD+R: 8X CAV (max.) DVD-R: 8X CAV (max.) DVD-ROM (single layer): 8X CAV (max.)CD-ROM: 32X CAV (max.) CD-R: 32X CAV (max.) CD-RW: 24X CAV (max.) CD-DA: 24x
Burst transfer rate	PIO Mode4 (16.67 MB/s) Multiword DMA Mode2 (16.67 MB/s) Ultra DMA Mode2 (33.33 MB/s) Ultra DMA Mode4 (66.67 MB/s)
Data transfer rate	BD: 9 MB/s (2x speed) DVD: 11,080 KB/s (8X speed max.) CD: 4,800 KB/s (32X speed max.)
Random access time	Average random stroke BD: Typical 200 ms DVD: Typical 190 ms DVD-RAM: Typical 360 ms CD: Typical 180 ms Average full stroke BD: Typical 400 ms DVD: Typical 300 ms DVD-RAM: Typical 2380 ms CD: Typical 250 ms
Buffer memory	8 MB
Recording method (CD-R/RW)	Disc at Once, Track at Once, Session at Once, Multisession, Fixed/Variable Packet Writing
Recording method (DVD)	⋅ DVD-RAM: Random Access ⋅ DVD-R: Disc at Once, Incremental ⋅ DVD-R DL: Disc at Once ⋅ DVD-RW: Disc at Once, Incremental, Restricted Overwrite ⋅ DVD+R/+R DL: Sequential Recording, Multi-Session ⋅ DVD+RW: Random Write
Recording method (BD)	⋅ BD-RE: Random Access ⋅ BD-R: Sequential Recording, Random Recording, Sequential Recording with Logical Overwrite
Laser wavelength	Blu-ray: 405nm (blue laser) DVD: 650nm (red laser) CD: 780nm (infrared)
Environment	Temperature: Operating: 5 to 50 °C Non-Operating: -30 to 60°C Humidity: Operating 10% to 80% [RH] Non-Operating: 5% to 90% [RH] Noise: 50 dB [max] Access mode
Weight	2.5 lbs (985g)
Dimensions	H: 41.3 mm, W: 146mm, D: 190mm (Excluding front panel)
Minimum System Requirement	⋅ Intel® Pentium® 700 MHz ⋅ 64 MB RAM or more ⋅ One available EIDE (ATAPI) interface connection with DMA capability ⋅ One 5.25" drive bay ⋅ One available internal +12 V/+5 V power connecter ⋅ Operating system: Microsoft® Windows® ME, 2000, XP Mac OS 10.2 or higher

What\'s inside the box?

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

The drive supplied was OEM version

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

Drive with Ivory front panel

With the Ivory front panel, the drive tray has a nice appearance. On the tray we can see a DVD Multi Recorder logo, Blu-ray logo, DVD Alliance logo, and Compact Disc High Speed ReWritable logo. Below the tray is a Blue LED indicator, an emergency eject hole, and finally an eject button.

Top

Drive Sticker

On the top of the drive we found a sticker that shows it was made in Japan.

Bottom

Drive Right

Drive Left

Rear

The rear connectors from right to left are a 4-pin Power Connector, a 40-pin Interface Connector, a 6-pin Master/Slave/Cable Select jumper, a 4-pin Analog Audio Connector and a 2-pin Not Used Connector. Note: CD-DA digital data is available through the IDE interface.