For an overview on methodology, click here.
CD-ROM Performance Results
Low-Level Measurements
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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The CD-W512E comes in close to specs. Sequential transfer rates measure at 16X-33X while access times clock in at 87 milliseconds. We particularly like the low access time-the best we've measured for a CD-RW. Do these low-levels yield a high CD-ROM Winmark? Let's find out.
CD-ROM Winmark 99
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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The CD-W512E's Winmark score of 1315 is the 2nd best we've ever seen for a burner, just behind Ricoh's MP9120A. This drive's swift reads appear legitimate. Let's confirm with our file and disc copy tests.
File and Disc Copy
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File Copy |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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Disc Copy |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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In the file copy test, we time how long it takes to transfer a 634 MB file from our CDTach98 disc to the hard drive. Since there's only one file, no random accesses can occur. Hence, this test emphasizes sustained transfer rates. The TEAC yields a time of 3:07, edging past the SCSI Plextor as the fastest 32X reader in this test. Only Yamaha's CRW2100E, a 40X reader, is faster.
In the disc copy test, random accesses play a heavy role in results. The TEAC's 87 ms access time doesn't help as much as we expected, but with a copy time of 03:51 it's still the 2nd fastest burner in our comparison.
Digital Audio Extraction
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DAE Transfer Rate - Average |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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DAE Transfer Rate - Start |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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DAE Transfer Rate - End |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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TEAC's product page specifies 14X-20X partial CAV extraction rates. We measure 14X-24X, with an overall average of just under 22X. Though slightly slower than the competition from Yamaha and Plextor, it's still in the upper tier for a burner.
The transfer rate graph exhibits a clean line all the way through the test-no dips or valleys as found in some other drives. We also ran a few of our more beat up CD-DAs through the TEAC informally to see how it reacted. The drive impressed us with clean, full speed extraction rates with all but the most heavily scratched discs.
CDSpeed99 gives the CD-W512E a perfect 10, with support for accurate streaming. CDDAE99, which actually rips audio tracks to .wav files, confirms CDSpeed99's results. We ripped our entire test CD-DA to hard disk at an average speed of 21X with zero errors detected. When extracting individual tracks, the TEAC conforms to its 14X-24X rating-the first six songs (30-minutes into the CD) extracted at speeds between 14X and 24X; the final eight audio tracks all ripped at 24X.
CD-R Media Compatibility and Performance
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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No issues were encountered with CD-Rs or -RWs. The CD-W512E reads CD-Rs at 14X-32X-the same as its pressed CD reads. This keeps it in step with all but the Yamaha.
CD-RW Media Compatibility and Performance
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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Windows 98 SE using FAT 32 |
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When reading from CD-RWs, the TEAC exhibits a drop in speeds down to 14X-24X partial CAV. This places the drive slightly ahead of the Plextors but keeps it significantly behind the Yamaha and Ricoh. No issues arose when reading from a variety of brands and speeds of CD-RW.
The TEAC is one of the fastest-reading burners we've ever tested. In fact, we could actually envision using this drive as our main reader. Only Ricoh's MP9120A leaves a similar impression.
Let's explore this drive's writing abilities!
Write/ReWrite Performance Results...
