detail information

Positive:

• Supports DVD±R/+R DL/-R DL writing at 16x/8x/6x
• Supports CD-R/RW writing at 48x/32x
• Can write DVD±R/±R DL certified media at higher speed
• Good media support and compatibility on DVD±R
• Supports Bitsetting for DVD+R DL (sets auto. BookType to DVD-ROM)
• Supports disc quality scanning
• Supports LabelFlash™ and DiscT@2™ labelling techniques
• Can read DVD±R/RW at 16x/13x
• Reads DVD-Video SL/DVD-Video DL at 16x/12x
• Can copy/rip copy-protected Audio-CDs
• 'Two sheep" writer
• Supports DAO-RAW writing
• Can overburn CD-Rs (around 92 minutes)
• Very good user community support with several programs and modifications to get the most out of the drive
• Good retail and software package
• The hardware components are 'lead-free"

Negative:

• Does not support Mt. Rainier
• No support for DVD-R DL 4x media with RiTEK MID
• Reads CD-RW/CD-DA only at 40x
• No Bitsetting support (BookType - DVD-ROM) on DVD+R/RW media
• Green LED for both reading and writing

Conclusion:

Let us summarize the most important positive and negative points below:

The main positive points: The NEC ND-4551A being a so called 'Multi Recorder" and supports recording on currently available media formats (CD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW/+R DL and DVD-R/-RW/-RAM/-R DL).

The NEC ND-4551A can write CD-R/RW media with excellent/very good quality, and can write those media types at high speed. DVD±R/RW writing quality is good with most media, and once again the NEC ND-4551A can burn the media fairly quickly.

DVD±R/RW media compatibility was also excellent with the NEC ND-4551A, with all our tested media burning at its rated, or faster than its rated speed.

DVD-RAM is well implemented on the NEC ND-4551A, Not only can the drive write at 5x using a fast CLV writing method, it can also read DVD-RAM media, regardless of the disc's rated speed at 5x, again using a fast CLV reading method.

The LabelFlash™ and DiscT@2™ labelling techniques allows the user to design labels and imprints on the label and data-side.

During our tests the NEC ND-4551A excelled at ripping audio CD's. The reading performance is excellent, and the DAE quality is also excellent, making the NEC ND-4551A an excellent choice for audio ripping.

The NEC ND-4551A also allowed selected DVD±R media to be burned at higher than its rated speed. This can save a lot of time during the burn process.

The supplied Nero Express software suite is also a very good, with a nice balance of features and ease of use.

This DVD writer is also one of those burners that has a very good user community support with several programs and modifications to get 'the most out of the drive". (Be aware, that most of these programs and modifications will VOID the drives warranty).

As a last point we would like to mention that this DVD burner are a 'lead-free" product, which will meets the recycling standards that came into effect on the 1st of January 2006.

The main negative points: There are not too many negative things to say about the NEC ND-4551A. But we did note a few things we would like to see improved.

Although writing quality with DVD±R media was overall good, the writing quality with some media could be improved.

DVD±R DL writing quality, although within specification could also be improved, as some of our tested media had fairly high PI/PIF errors. DVD-R DL media could also be improved. In our test the DVD-R DL manufactured by RITEK was not supported by the drive. This however, should be easy to correct with a firmware update.

We would also like to see Bitsetting for DVD+R/RW media, to set BookType to DVD-ROM, as this would help improve compatibility with older set top players.

We would also like to see a dual coloured LED, with one colour used for read and a different colour used for writing, instead of the present single coloured green LED.

To sum it all up, this is what we would say: 'The NEC ND-4551A is a well specified drive with good overall performance.  The LabelFlash™ feature will give the extra touch on your memorable and custom made DVD's".  However, there are areas where the drive could be improved.

By using our price grabber feature cdfreaks.pricegrabber we did not find any offers, but at getprice the drive is listed at 48,50 €. (March 2005).

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