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Portable Personal CD Burner for Music, Data

Sony Digital Relay CRX10U-A2 combines audio CD player and CD-RW drive.

Melissa J. Perenson

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When you're on the road, an audio CD player helps kill time during flight delays. But you may also need a CD-RW drive for emergency backups and for passing data to colleagues.

The $399 Sony Digital Relay CRX10U-A2 combines both devices. It records CD-R and CD-RW at 4X, reads CD-ROMs at 6X, and plays CDs of MP3 files.

The 15.5-ounce Digital Relay's sturdy 5.25-by-1-by-7.5-inch case is longer and a bit bulkier than typical stand-alone CD players due to its rechargeable lithium ion battery, which powered 2 hours of MP3 CD playback in my tests. Sony says the unit will last 2 hours while recording CDs (at 4X, that's six CDs). Also included are two user-friendly recording packages and a data backup program.

I used a shipping unit to burn CDs with data or MP3 files. Results were great, but not as speedy as with the latest internal 16X/10X/40X CD-RW drives.

The Digital Relay's shockproof mechanism kept skips at bay as I listened while bouncing around a gym. The sound quality was excellent via the supplied earphones, which are equipped with a narrow remote that controls most playback operations.

If you want a portable USB CD-RW drive, there is little reason not to choose the Digital Relay.


SUMMARY
Digital Relay CRX1OU-A2


PRO: Portable, battery-operated CD-RW drive and MP3 CD player.
CON: Battery life could be longer; CD-R write speed is only 4X.
VALUE: Cheaper than a separate CD-RW drive and MP3/CD player.

List price: $399
Sony Electronics
800/352-7669
www.sony.com/digitalrelay

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