detail information

Positive:

• Complete retail package.
• Retail package includes both one DVD+R and one DVD+RW disc.
• Very good printed manual!
• Dual-format DVD-recorder
• Supports fast DVD-recording speeds (4x DVD+R, 2.4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-R, 2x DVD-RW).
• Buffer underrun technology to prevent buffer underruns.
• Very good read speed for all types od DVD-discs. 
• Good write quality on most media types.
• Very good media compatibility, especially for DVD-R and DVD+R discs.
• Supports DAO-RAW writing.
• Supports reading and writing of CD-Text information.
• Supports reading and writing of full SubChannel Data.
• Can read and write 99 minutes discs.

Negative:

• Lower CD-Writing (16X) speed than the competition.
• Lower CD reading speed (32X) than the competition. 
• Compatibility issues with Ahead InCD (Should be fixed when using the latest firmware 1.07 along with the latest version 4 of InCD).
• Mount Rainier format not supported
• Small 2000Kb buffer
• Needs weak sector amplification to copy SafeDisc 2 protection
• Reading of copy-protected data could be improved
• Reading of copy-protected audio could be improved
• Can't write to memorex 48X CD-R media.

Conclusion:

The Memorex Dual-X left us with a pretty positive feeling. As a plain DVD-Writer it's superb as it wrote every brand of DVD-R and DV+R media that we put in it without problems at the certified speed of the media. This includes unknown Hong Kong media identifed as AN31 as well as more known brands like Princo and Verbatim. As a CD-Writer it's also good, but it's bad that Memorex do not provide CD-R discs that works with their own writers! And it's lagging behind the competition with a write speed of only 16X compared to 24X for many competitors.

As a reader it's good at reading all types of DVD discs compared to the competition, but is lagging behind on the CD reading part since it's limited to 32X reading only. When it comes to protected data and audio this drive is not your number one choice as it can't handle many audio protections and do not support "Correct EFM encoding of regular bit patterns" which is required to backup safedisc 2 protected discs without any software tricks.

If you are in the market for a DVD-Writer and is going to use it mainly for writing DVD discs, then this drive is a very good chice as it works with many media types. The bundle with this drive is also great; you get everything from a good printed manual, empty DVD+R and DVD+RW discs, screws, cables and a large software collection. But if you want fast CD-Writing speeds, then this drive is not for you. But overall we feel that this word fits this drive: Recommended.

Reviewers notice: This is my first review for a while since I've been in the army for a year. I would like to thank the cdfreaks management and Memorex for making this review possible. DVD-Writing is pretty new to me and this is also the first review that I upload myself, and because of this the review have been a bit delayed. And I would like to hear from YOU as a reader on how good this review really is, and where I could improve my work for the next review (which is not to far into the future).

Regards
OC-Freak