In House Review - Memorex Dual-X 4x DVD±RW

[Ian]

Happy Halloween! CDRLabs has taken a long over due look at Memorex's 4x DVD±RW drive, the Dual-X. Based on Pioneer's award winning DVD±RW, the Dual-X offers 4x DVD±R, 2.4x DVD+RW and 2x DVD-RW writing speeds as well as a maximum DVD read speed of 12x. The drive also has features like 16x CD writing speeds, 32x CD read speeds and support for buffer underrun protection.

In this review we take a look at some of the features found on the Dual-X and then put it up against some of the DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does Memorex's new DVD writer have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=205]
Memorex Dual-X 4x DVD±RW
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If you have any questions or comments about the review or the Memorex Dual-X, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.

[blahblah6669]

Do you have to use Memorex-provided firmware or can you use the Pioneer-provided firmware? I ask mostly because I wasn't finding firmware on the Memorex site and you mentioned flashing up to 1.07 in the review...

[Ian]

I used Memorex firmware. For some reason its not on their website. I sent the firmware to forum.rpc1.org awhile back and they have it online.

[BMR]

I have several points to mention in your review of this drive Ian:

1) Can we pretty much call this a review of the Pioneer A06 or is it possible that there would be some significant difference in a review of that drive?

2) The white connector on the back that you were unsure of. I noticed that beside the analog output there wasn't the usual digital output, thus is the white connector some sort of proprietary digital outlet. Also, is is possible that it could be S-ATA ??

3) In your comparison results for the drive, why did you leave out your results for your recently reviewed plextor 708?

4) Would there be a big difference if you had placed the pioneer hacked 1.07 firmware on this drive with the reading and some writing restrictions lifted ?


Just some thoughts to ponder .....

BMR

[Ian]

1) Can we pretty much call this a review of the Pioneer A06 or is it possible that there would be some significant difference in a review of that drive?

>> I've tested 3 A06 clones so far.. and all seem to be identical, including the Memorex. The performance of the drives are all very close.

2) The white connector on the back that you were unsure of. I noticed that beside the analog output there wasn't the usual digital output, thus is the white connector some sort of proprietary digital outlet. Also, is is possible that it could be S-ATA ??

>> Once upon a time, someone told me that this was used for testing in the factory. I'm not sure if this was correct or not.

3) In your comparison results for the drive, why did you leave out your results for your recently reviewed plextor 708?

>> I didn't think it was a fair comparison. The Plextor is part of a new generation of drives, where the Memorex is older and slower. When drives based on Pioneers 8x DVD writer are released, they'll be compared to the Plex.

4) Would there be a big difference if you had placed the pioneer hacked 1.07 firmware on this drive with the reading and some writing restrictions lifted ?

>> Yeah, I think there would be some big differences. Better media compatibility (not that it needs it IMO) and faster DVD ripping speeds (which it really needs).

[dodecahedron]

I've tested 3 A06 clones so far.. and all seem to be identical, including the Memorex. The performance of the drives are all very close.

the Memorex Dual-X; the Teac DV-W50D; ... and ... ??? what's the third one?