TDK 12/10/32 VeloCD ReWriter

WHAT'S HOT: TDK's 12/10/32 VeloCD ReWriter was the second drive we tested (Plextor's PlexWriter 12/10/32A was the first) to integrate Sanyo Electric's Burn-Proof buffer underrun protection technology, which prevents ruined discs if the drive runs short of data. The Ahead Nero Burning ROM mastering software and InCD packet-writing software are stable and friendly alternatives to the more common Adaptec options. TDK even includes a helpful VHS tape that shows you how to install the drive.

WHAT'S NOT: This pricey TDK model took 2 minutes to packet-write 100MB to CD-RW, about a half minute slower than most 10X drives. When we switched to Prassi's AbCD, the time dropped to 1 minute, 24 seconds--which indicated that the InCD packet-writing software was the likely culprit. Ahead is currently investigating the performance discrepancy. The 5 minutes, 25 seconds the TDK took to write our 430MB image to CD-R and the 5 minutes, 40 seconds it took to write our 430MB test folder on the fly are also about a half minute slower than the norm. We saw no mention in the documentation about turning on DMA--which is the setting TDK representatives recommended when we inquired about it.

WHAT ELSE: TDK offers a one-year warranty. Toll-free support is available for 11.5 hours on weekdays and 10 hours on Saturdays.

BEST USE: The TDK 12/10/32 is a fast drive that's only slowed down by its software bundle for recording CD-R and CD-RW discs.

SUMMARY

TDK 12/10/32 VeloCD ReWriter 12X/10X/32X, IDE, internal, 2MB buffer, buffer underrun compensation technology, Ahead Nero Burning ROM 5.0 and InCD; one-year warranty, 11.5-hour weekday and 10-hour Saturday toll-free support. $185 800/835-8273 www.tdk.com/velocd-new