Specs
Write Support
4.7GB DVD-RAM 22.16Mbps (max)
2.6GB DVD-RAM 11.08Mbps (max)
4.7GB DVD-R 11.08Mbps (max)
Read Support
CD-DA, CD-ROM/XA, Photo CD, Video
CD,
CD-Extra CD-R, CD-RW at max 24x
DVD-ROM, DVD-R at max 6x
DVD-RAM (4.7GB at 2x, 2.6GB at 1x)
Write Speed
4.7GB DVD-RAM 1385KB with verifying
2.6GB DVD-RAM 690KB with verifying
4.7GB DVD-R 1385KB without verifying
Read Speed
DVD-RAM (4.7GB): 2770KBps (2x)
DVD-RAM (2.6GB): 1385KBps (1x)
DVD-ROM: 8310KBps (6x)
CD-ROM/CD-R: 3600KBps (24x)
CD-RW: 1800KBps (12x)
Average Seek Time DVD-RAM:
75ms, DVD-ROM/R, CD-ROM: 65ms
Interface ATAPI
Buffer Capacity 1MB
Data Transfer Rate (IF interface):
Ultra DMA Mode 3: max 66.6MB/s; PIO
Mode 4: max 16.6MB/s
Dimensions (W x H x D): 146
x 41.3 x 196mm; 5.75" x 1.63"
x 7.72"
Weight: 1.1kg (2.4lbs.)
Power Supply: 12V/5V, ±
5%
Our Test Machines Specs:
Pentium 4 1.5GHz (not overclocked)
512MB RDRAM
ABIT TH7II-RAID
TOSHIBA SD-M1502 DVD-ROM
2 x IBM GXP75 30GB (not in RAID mode)
Introduction
Panasonic is the only other company
with an affordable alternative to
challenge Pioneer's A03 that can write
to the widely compatible DVD-R disks.
DVD-R disks can be used on most standalone
players, DVD consoles and on PC DVD-ROM
drives -- as long as the hardware
can cope with the reduced reflectivity
of the disks.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,
Ltd. (Panasonic as its better known)
is no newcomer to optical disks -
they have been researching and developing
optical discs since 1973. Matsushita,
like Pioneer is also a member of the
DVD forum that is backing the DVD-R
format as opposed to the competing
DVD+RW format with this combined DVD-RAM/DVD-R
drive.
OK now on to the review...
What the package includes
The package contains:
1 x Panasonic LF-D311 DVD Burner
1 x 4.7GB DVD-Recordable Media (TDK
Brand)
1 x 4.7GB DVD-RAM (Single Sided Media)
1 x 2.6GB DVD-RAM Media (Limited Offer
Only)
1 x DVDit! Software
1 x Driver Software
1 x PowerVCRII Software
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x IDE Cable
1 x Packet Mounting Screws (4)
1 x PrimoDVD Software
1 x PowerDVD 3.0 Software
Our review sample is a standard European
retail package. (The 2.6GB RAM disk
above is a limited offer.) The drive
also comes with a 40-pin IDE cable
and mounting screws which are not
shown above.
The front of the drive is quite basic
with a big DVD- RAM/R logo, an emergency
eject hole and an LED that turns green
when a disk is inserted in the drive
and orange when the disk is accessed
or written to.
At back of the drive you will find
the usual connectors: jumpers for
making the drive a master/slave, digital
output connector, the IDE connector
and a power supply connector. Unlike
the Pioneer, this drive has no external
fan for cooling.
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1 - Last Updated: 22 November 2001
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