Toshiba SD-M1712

[Han]

Toshiba has started selling its brand new DVD-ROM drive, SD-M1712. Below is a brief info, available on European site:

The SD-M1712 is Toshiba's newest DVD-ROM. With a half-height form factor, the SD-M1712 is an enhanced version of its predecessor, the SD-M1612. The SD-M1612 was one of the bestselling drives winning numerous awards in the market. Toshiba is confident that the SD-M1712 will surpass the expectations set by the earlier model.

Specifications are rather confusing, because they are actually copy-pasted from the previous SD-M1612 model. I've managed to get the info from our local distributor that the new SD-M1712 supports DVD-Multi standard.

Until the Ian's review, if anyone has any additional info, please post it here.

[Han]

Today I had it in my hands. It's quite heavy, but well made. Firmware was 1004, therefore pretty much the same as for SD-M1612. Bad news is Toshiba cut the buffer size down to 128 KB. Drive was made in China.

[Ian]

lol.. I wouldnt' call a smaller buffer enhanced.

let me know how you like it Han.

[Han]

Huh, who said smaller buffer is better? You're referring to the press, right?

I haven't picked it up. Maybe next week...

[Alexandrus]

The only thing I like about the Toshiba DVD-ROM drives is the reading speed of CDRW discs. But for any other task I would still go with LITE-ON

[Ian]

You're referring to the press, right?

Yup

[Han]

For a short time I've got a new system with Toshiba SD-M1712. Here are my impressions and a couple of results:

- Nero InfoTool 1.03.2 reports 128 KB buffer and no DVD+R(W) reading capability. Specifications list that drive has 192 KB buffer and it does read DVD+R(W) discs.

- Nero CD Speed 1.01.3:

80 min CDR (Mitsui): starts at around 18.5x, finishes at 49x.
74 min Audio CD: starts at 13.8x, finishes at around 29x.

Drive adjusts the reading speed extremely well. It also absorbs vibrations better than its predecessor. Otherwise I guess the drive is pretty much the same as SD-M1612.