Verdict? Yamaha 16x10x40x40, VeloCD 16x10x32x40x or Plextor

[KRidder]

Okay, c'mon guys... which one?? Any body find a "Shootout" review on these three?

 

[RedRooster]

No, but the Yamaha isn't getting too hot of reviews due to the fact that it doesn't actually burn at 16x. MaximumPC gave it a 4/10.
The Plex and TDK are exactly the same drives, and MaximumPC(I don't consider them an authority, but they're the only site that pops to mind which reviewed all three) gave the TDK a better score due to it's software bundle.
If I were choosing, I'd take the Plextor though, much better customer/product support.

 

[mastertech01]

I wonder if the problem actually lies with the media... is there a true reliable 16x media to write on?

 

[WishMaster]

u cant go wrong with a plextor!
/me hugs computer

 

[goat]

there are some good reviews at CDR-Info.com

 

[RedRooster]

No mastertech01, the Yamaha uses some wierd CLV or CAV or whatever technology to vary the speed the data is written. On the inside, it only writes at 10x, and then once it gets to the outside it writes at 16, rather than 16x all the way across.
I think the Plex/TDK do 16 all the time.

 

[airfoil]

PLEXTOR.

 

[HomerSapien]

I love my plextor. Only one bad burn due to bad aspi and dma not checked..oops.

 

[Tates]

another vote for Plextor

 

[KRidder]

Okay! Well check this out... I picked up the TDK... So you know how people are saying "Well the drives are the same (Plextor & TDK)"? Yep! The TDK I have is the exact same back panel as the Plextor - even the "Factory Use Only" jumper... hehehe Yes! It works as well... UDMA 33 baby...

I personally like the Nero and InCD software which comes with the TDK. Hell even the CD Marking Pen is a bonus...

I know some of you feel the Plextor is the creme of the crop, but I'm satisfied with the TDK...

 

[MontyBurns]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not a millisecond junkie like a lot of people. All three of these drives rock, from the reviews I've read, and ANY would be a great purchase.

That said: Read the review at CDRInfo.com comparing these three drives, and you'll see that the TDK and Plextor are NOT "the same drive." They deliver very different performance ratings in a number of applications. (Note that on some copy protected discs, the Yamaha kicks both their butts.)

The CDRInfo review notes that the Yamaha rarely achieves 16X, and the TDK only achieves it after a lengthy rampup (so, "as fast as 16x.&quot

Now, if you hadn't guessed... I own the Plextor. Aside from a strange conflict with my ATA/100 controller that I can't figure out, I lvoe the drive. I've burned a dozen CDs so far, and it's fantastic.

It also has amazing audio ripping speed. This is something the TDK plays up heavily. Again, according to CDRInfo, the Plextor wins that contest hands down.


But back to where I started this note: I don't think ANY of these drives are worth $100 more than the other, so don't buy a Plextor just to buy a Plextor. If it hadn't been tax refund time, I probably wouldn't have.

 

[bigcfromcinci]

I have the yamaha and can't use no other sw but nero 5.0 to burn anything With Nero it kicks @ss, but I like clone cd, cdr-win among others!!Should have kept my 12x10x32 plextor
But like the one guy said,supposedely tdk has the better sw bundle!!

 

[madthumbs]

Saying TDK= Plextor is a totally wrong thing to do to people.

Only "SOME" of them are manufactured in the same factory as Plextor drives "IF" rumor are true. Aren't Volkswagons made in the same factory as porsche? If your TDK RMA'd you won't be guaranteed a certain "version" of the drive. You don't "know" that all the parts are the same or the same quality. You don't have the same warranty, or peace of mind. InCD is included with Nero for free, so it's value is NULL. Nero is better bought separately because then it can be transferred to another drive, it will be an upto date version, certain versions will work with more than one drive at a time, and it is transferrable to another drive. The ones that come OEM are not nearly as flexible. Software is easy to replace... but try replaceing a drive and the software if it fails.