Reading performance:

We will use Nero CD/DVD-Speed to read various CD and DVD Discs; both burned and pressed for the Reading Performance section of the review. 

Pressed discs:

For this test we used an original pressed CD-ROM disc containing 72.39.55  minutes of data.

The Memorex MRX-525GE reached 45.56x.  Let’s compare the result with other driver performance in the table below:

The Memorex MRX-525GE was not the slowest reader in our test; reading and seek times were on average with the other tested drives.

CD-Recordable Discs:

For this test we used a Data CD-R that we created with Nero CD-DVD Speed in “create data disc” mode.  The disc was a Maxell 48X certified disc manufactured by Ritek.  (Thanks to Maxell for sending us this media.)

The Memorex MRX-525GE reached 48x while reading a full CD-R disc.  Let’s compare these results to some other drives:

The Memorex MRX-525GE scores near the top with the fastest drives with very respectful seek times.

CD-Rewritable discs:

For the CD-Rewriteable tests we created a Data CD using Nero CD-DVD Speeds’ “create data disc”.  We used a Memorex Ultra Speed 24X CD-RW manufactured by Infodisc Technology Co.  (We thank Memorex for sending us this media)

The drive reaches a read speed of 42.46x speed by the end of the disc.  We will now compare this with other drives below:

The Memorex MRX-525GE was the fastest at reading this CD-RW disc with average seek times when compared with these drives.

Audio – Digital Audio Extraction:

To test digital audio extraction performance with the Memorex MRX-525GE we used Nero CD-DVD Speed to measure the transfer rate; the audio disc we used is 78:15:08 in length.

The Memorex MRX-525GE reached 42X reading the Audio-CD; let’s compare the result with our other drives:

The MRX-525GE performed on average with the Audio-CD in both speed and seek times.

Advanced audio – DAE quality test:

For the Advanced Audio DAE test we used the “Advanced DAE Quality Test” feature of Nero CD-DVD Speed.  The CD-R media used is a 40X certified Memorex Music CD-R manufactured by Ritek. (Thanks to Memorex USA for sending us this media.)

The extracting quality will not permit “On-The-Fly” copying above 6X speed; the drive does not support reading data from the Lead-Out.

DVD reading performance:

We utilized Nero CD-DVD Speed to measure the reading performance.  We will to the reading performance testing on various types of DVD discs.  This drive should be able to read pressed single layer DVD-Video discs at 8X.

DVD:  DVD-Video:

For the DVD-Video reading performance tests we began with both a single and a double layered DVD; these were pressed discs.  While only 1X speed is required to watch a DVD-Video Movie, it is useful to be able to read this type of disc at higher speeds if you are extracting (ripping) the Disc Contents to your Hard Drive.

DVD-Video Single Layer

DVD-Video Double Layer

We were unpleasantly surprised to find the Memorex MRX-525GE reads single layered pressed discs slightly less than 6X speed; this is as noted above more than adequate for viewing a movie.  The MRX-525GE performed a little faster on the double layer disc, but was still only able to read DL at just under 8X speed.  As noted above this drive supports reading of pressed DVD (video) at 8X for both SL and DL discs.

Let’s see how it compared with our other drive’s performance:

The Memorex MRX-525GE was the slowest reader with the single layer disc and was about average at reading the double layer media.  Perhaps the slower read capabilities of this drive might be improved with future firmware updates.

DVD:  DVD+R (W):

For testing the Read Speed of DVD+R (RW) discs were used Verbatim 8X for both types of media written with 4.38GB of data.  (Thanks to Verbatim USA for sending us this media.) See the results below:

DVD+R

DVD+RW

The drive performed quite well on both DVD+R/RW discs for speed and the read curve is smooth.

DVD:  DVD-R/RW:

For testing the –R/RW reading performance we used Verbatim discs; -R 16X and for the –RW a 6X speed.  (Thanks to Verbatim USA for sending us this media.) Below you will find our test results.

DVD-R

DVD-RW

Very little difference between speeds for + R (RW) compared with the –R (RW) discs; reading the + R at 16X and the + RW at 12X.  Very smooth read curves.

The Memorex MRX-DVD525GE performs nicely when reading DVD-R and DVD-RW discs.

DVD:  DVD±R DL:

For this test we used a Verbatim 2.4X +R DL disc and a Verbatim 4X –R DL disc filled with 7.96GB of data.  (Thanks to Verbatim USA for sending us this media.)

DVD+R DL

DVD-R DL

The drive performed nicely reading both media at 12.13X, with smooth read curves.

DVD:  DVD-RAM

To test the reading of DVD-Ram we used a Maxell 12X Disc with 4.27GB of data.  Our test results are found below:    

The Memorex MRX-525GE reads DVD-RAM at 12x in 5:36 minutes without difficulty.

Overall thoughts:

The Memorex MRX-525GE proved to be a reliable reader even though the reading of pressed discs (video) was slower compared to our other drives.  We must state that the drive does read at the advertised speed for all formats.

Features & Technology

CD-R/RW Writing Performances