detail information

Test machine:

For this preview we will be using a computer with the following configuration:

Hardware:

• Motherboard: Asus A8V Deluxe
• Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (Toledo)
• RAM: 1 GB Corsair Kit PC3200 DDR
• GFX: MSI GeForce 6600 GT
• Sound: Onboard Realtek AC'97
• Hard disk: Maxtor 6V300F0 300 GB (S-ATA)

System set-up:

The Optiarc AD-7173A was connected as Secondary Slave and identified itself as Optiarc DVD RW AD-7173A. DMA (Direct Memory Access) and autorun was enabled for all devices.

Software:

Windows XP Professional is installed on the computer along with Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. We will be using the following software in this preview:

• Nero CD-DVD Speed
• Nero InfoTool
• Plextools Professional XL  

Installation:

We quickly installed the drive without any problems and here is a screenshot from Nero InfoTool:

Our drive came shipped with firmware 1-01. The only drawbacks we could see are: The missing Mt. Rainier support along with the small buffer size.

Features and techniques:

ACTIVE OPC:

Optiarc uses Active OPC Technology with its optical hardware. Active OPC constantly monitors the sensitivity of the media and adjusts the laser strength to achieve the best possible results. It does this by analyzing the reflection from the media's surface.

LabelFlash™ / DiscT@2™:

Writing Technology:

18x DVD±R writing speed:

The Optiarc AD-7173A uses CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) to write DVD+R at 18x. The average speed is 13.26x and total writing time is 5:26 minutes.

The Optiarc AD-7173A uses CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) to write DVD-R at 18x. The average speed is 13.29x and total writing time is 5:27 minutes.

8x DVD+R DL writing speed:

The Optiarc AD-7173A uses Z-CLV (Zoned Constant Linear Velocity) to write DVD+R DL at 8x. Our drive did not write the first layer at 8x.

8x DVD-R DL writing speed:

The Optiarc AD-7173A Z-CLV (Zoned Constant Linear Velocity) to write DVD-R DL at 8x. Our drive did not write the first layer at 8x.

12x DVD-RAM:

The Optiarc AD-7173A uses P-CAV (Partial Constant Angular Velocity) to write DVD-RAM media at its maximum speed of 12x (verify off). This resulted in an average write speed of 9.73x and a total write time of 6 minutes and 4 seconds.

On the next page: Reading performance…