ASUS's New 18x DVD-ROM Drives - DVD-E818AT and DVD-E818A

[Ian]

ASUS had these drives at Computex but besides a few pictures, I haven't heard much about them until now.

DVD-E818AT (SATA) - http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=6& ... odelmenu=1

DVD-E818A (IDE) - http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=6& ... odelmenu=1

The ASUS DVD-E818AT provides cutting-edge multimedia experience with superior playback capacities and high-speed data transfer. Built-in advanced technologies provide users of the DVD-E818AT with a quiet, stable and high-performance multimedia environment.
* Multi-Functions: Fast Data Transfer Speed
* DVD-ROM max. data transfer rate: 24930 KB/s (18X).
* CD-ROM max. data transfer rate: 7200 KB/s (48X).
* Fast random access time DVD: 105 ms vs. CD: 95 ms typical.

Full Accessibility and Playability
ASUS DVD-E818AT provides leading-edge multimedia experience with fabulous playback capacities that allows users to access all CDs, DVD-ROM/DVD±R/ DVD±RW/DVD-RAM and DVD-Video discs

Auto Vibration Reducing System (AVRS)
The AVRS technology is designed to minimize the vibration caused by the spindle motor and resonance between components as well as the drive and PC cases. AVRS is designed to reduce vibration and noise induced by unbalanced mass of rotating machinery. With AVRS, ASUS DVD-E818AT provides high readability and playability.

Support Speed Auto-Switch Function

Suppoer High Speed CD-Audio Playback

Support High Speed Digital Audio Extraction

Vertical/Horizontal Mounting Available

Unique Dust Resistance Design

Changeable panel supported

5X DVD-RAM read Supported

[Grain]

I wonder what speeds they'll read DVD-Video at?

[Ian]

I wonder what speeds they'll read DVD-Video at?

With our luck, it will be locked at 5x or something.

[Grain]

LOL, my fear also. I have enough writers like that, don't need a rip-locked ROM.

[Scour]

18 DVD-ROM, also DVD-R/+R ?

[Ian]

18 DVD-ROM, also DVD-R/+R ?

I don't know. That's not listed on their webpage.

[SkaarjMaster]

What's the deal with SATA optical drives? Is it a good idea? Any drawbacks? This sounds like a promising drive for my new system next year......at least so far.

[SithTracy]

If your new rig comes with a Jmicron IDE controller you'll jump all over SATA drives...

[Sizzle]

Any news on when the SATA version will hit the U.S.?

[radialman]

I bought the sata version last week (E818AT). After running tests with nero CD-DVD speed, the results were disappointing. DVD read speed cannot go over 10X. CD read speed is ok (48X like the specs). I’ve tested many types of DVD media, but the results are The drive was originally shiped with 1.00 firmware version. Did the upgrade to 1.01 from ASUS but nothing. The same results. I'll post the results later on. How can ASUS declare 18X?? Any ideas???

[Ian]

I'm guessing that the drive only reaches 18x with single layer, data DVD-ROM's. If you read dual layer or CSS protected discs, the speeds will be slower.

[radialman]

I'm guessing that the drive only reaches 18x with single layer, data DVD-ROM's. If you read dual layer or CSS protected discs, the speeds will be slower.

I'm posting the tests. The damn thing cannot go over 10X whatever the media is . I had a NEC DV5800 before and it was kicking, with speeds that could go over 16X even if the drive's nominal speed was 16X. Unfortunately I had to change it because I had it on the same IDE channel with the recorder (Plextor PX-760A) and I could not work both at the same time. The mobo has only 1 IDE channel and Plextor recommends having the drive by itself. Where’s the 18 X that ASUS advertise? I can’t figure this out!

[Ian]

There isn't a "speed boost" or something that needs to be enabled, is there?

[radialman]

There isn't a "speed boost" or something that needs to be enabled, is there?

I guess not. I was just told from someone who has the same drive that it can only reach 18X only with DVD-ROM SL media. Maybe I should have to wait if there will be any speed up patch. Otherwise I’ll look into buying something else. ASUS is playing a tricky game saying 18X. Thanks for your reply.

[Scour]

Many DVD-ROMs read DVD-R/+R/RW only with slow speeds, that is the reason why I use DVD-writers for reading

[Shadowthebeast]

I have bought an asus dvd-rom 16X SATA in september 2007 and it was also blocked at 10X maximum read speed.

I see that asus hasn't changed his mentality. To AVOID.

[Scour]

Thats not nice, but most ppl buy a writer instead of a reader