32x vs 24x CD-Rw

[arcenite]

Now I can't decide if I should wait to get the 32x CD-RW's (Supposidly due at the end of the month) Or just get the 24x... Any ideas on how much the new 32x's will cost? Thanks

 

[arcenite]

^

 

[KnickNut3]

I don't think speed is ultra-important in CD-RWs. They're still at the speed where you'd probably leave your computer in between, so 20 seconds isn't a big deal at all. Doesn't seem worth the cash. I'd love to have anything near that, as my 8x burner is approaching it's second birthday this Christmas .

I would suggest that you wait until 32x is out for a few weeks, when 24x will drop tremendously in price.

 

[Guilty]

The Lite-On 24X is so ridiculously cheap, about $80, just get it now.

 

[arcenite]

Where? I just rushed to office max with 5 minutes before closing, picked up the ticket "SORRY WE'RE SOLD OUT!" BAHH

 

[Rand]

It's gotten to the point where even 24X is less then 20-25 seconds faster then 16X, and 24X is generally little better then a minute faster then 12X.
Given that i really can't see much point for waiting until 32X, unless your really that concerned about saving about 15 seconds more.

It's gotten to the point wherein speed is hardly the biggest factor is choosing which burner to get, as even doubling the speed isnt even going to cut a minute off the burn times anymore as it's already so fast.

 

[JOSEPHLB]

we are approaching a situation similiar to the rise in regular CDROM speeds..

as you get higher in speed, the differences are not noticed as much, as in making earlier jumps..

16X Max, 24X, 32X, 40X, 52X, etc...

if you've upgraded from a 4X CDR up to a 24X , then Yes, I'm sure there is a difference..

But if people are confused over whether to upgrade a 20X up to a 24X or 32X , either 1) Dont have a life, 2) have too much money and time on their hands

 

[arcenite]

lol I currently have a 4x and am looking into getting a 24x. But couldn't decide if I should wait till the 32x not because I have too much money (i have the exact opposite problem, anyone have a quarter for lunch money?) anyway... it was just because I wasn't sure if there was a big increase in performance.

 

[LXi]

There isn't much of point waiting for the 32x. It's like deciding between a 40x and a 52x CD-ROM, there is literally no difference. Go for the 24x if you need one now, the only reason to wait for 32x is the price cuts for 24x CD-RWs.

 

[Taylorm]

been usin my 4x yamaha ever since they first the market for 300 or so... just ordered me a christmas present heh liteon 24x for 80. not bad at all and i can feel good about actually having a legit copy of NERO (not cracked version)

 

[Cnuke]

I just got the Plextor 24X. My average burn time is approx 2-3 min. for a full CD. How much faster do you need?

Also with my plextor I have not had one bad burn!!!! Even with 16X cds.

By tradition I have always had success with HP. (my 2 other burners) but this plextor is great. By the time I label the next cd the burn is over. Keeps my on my toes!!!!

Go with the 24X.

 

[LXi]

May I introduce to you, the best 24x CD-RW.

 

[arcenite]

How much are they? I currently have 90$ (havn't gotten holiday money) and where can I get it? Cause i know that's like the most expensive one.

 

[LXi]

Well, if you have $90, you're pretty much limited to the Lite-On 24x bare drive. The Yamaha is around $150 retail box, they dont seem to have a bare drive for sale yet, just search around on Pricewatch.com.

 

[arcenite]

Keep in mind i havn't gotten holiday money yet... I should be able to save up 150... Or more, so if money is not a problem... what's the best drive... and if money is a problem.. what's the best drive... and what's the difference between the two

 

[LXi]

Well if you have the money, then indeed the Yamaha is your best option. Just read that review I linked for more information.

 

[PliotronX]

If you plan on spending around $150 for a burner, the Yamaha is a good drive. However, I don't see anything other than the pretty LEDs on the Yamaha that are particularly groundbreaking over the Lite-On.

 

[LXi]

<<However, I don't see anything other than the pretty LEDs on the Yamaha that are particularly groundbreaking over the Lite-On.>>

Eh... I dont think so... everything groundbreaking was stated in CDRLabs review, a butt load of special features that makes this drive truely stand out.

 

[mjquilly]

$85 shipped @ NewEgg.com

 

[PliotronX]

<< Eh... I dont think so... everything groundbreaking was stated in CDRLabs review, a butt load of special features that makes this drive truely stand out. >>


Among the most outstanding features in that review (besides the LEDs) is CD Audio Mastering and SafeBurn. CDAM is not necessary for folks who aren't hardcore audiophiles, so I wouldn't call it spectacular, but it's nice nonetheless. SafeBurn produces gaps under 1µm which is again, unnecessary in most uses. The error correction for C1 and C2 errors (both larger than second generation BURN-proof and JustLink gaps) makes these gaps inaudible. Only if there are repeated gaps consecutively created by the anti-buffer underrun features would SafeBurn become more apparently superior. But what are the odds of this happening?

To sum up my point, while the Yamaha does have a few perks that the Lite-On does not, the Lite-On remains the best bang for the buck. These perks being worth the added cost is entirely up to the buyer.

 

[arcenite]

I guess i'll just see how much money I have at the end of the holidays, cause it's a hard decision for me. I don't have alot of money, so basically it stands at...

Should I save up for the Yamaha, or just go to office max and pick up a CenDyne for 100 bucks?

 

[LXi]

Among the ones that you haven't listed...

1. 8MB buffer vs. 2MB
Another part of the advantage of Safeburn, on top of the smaller gap ExactLink produces compare to JustLink or BurnProof.

2. P-CAV vs Z-CLV
P-CAV gradually accelerates from 18x to 24x, maintaining a higher avg. speed than Z-CLV in the first 14 minutes or so. The best part is, there is no need for the "zone", no pausing and resuming between zones like Z-CLV does in the first 14 minutes.

3. Mt. Ranier format
Granted this is a very new technology, but it has an incredibly promising future. As OSes start to support this new feature, it's going to be very valuable.

Some of these features might not be necesary to all people, but they remain outstanding features. Whether a feature is spectacular or not isnt determined by identities of the buyers. Regardless, these features are going to benefit the buyer and that's a good thing. Keep in mind the bare drives arent available yet, as they become available, we'll see a great decrease in price, probably down to about $110 for a Yamaha 24x bare. I think the added cost is worth it, given these great advantage, it doesnt matter whether one is an audiophile or what.

 

[arcenite]

Alright so I guess at this point i'll just aim for the Yamaha 24x

 

[PliotronX]

Given enough horsepower in a machine, a very large buffer just isn't necessary. This was the point of introducing anti-buffer underrun features, so that small buffers could be used without fear of creating a coaster, thus cutting costs. Of course it is nice to have a large, comfy buffer, but it isn't necessary. While Yamaha's P-CAV does offer a bit of a speed improvement, it just isn't astounding. Burning an entire CD, the average speed of the Yamaha is less than 1X faster than the Lite-On. I agree that the Mt. Rainier has a lot of potential, but by the time it has enough support to be worthy, the drive itself will probably be around the Lite-On's current price, and DVD burners will be competing fiercely.

Certainly, I also agree that these features are beneficial nonetheless. I just don't see it as worth the added cost, but that is my opinion. It's obviously different from your's, so there's no point in arguing What's important though is either of these drives will serve their user very well, and Arcenite will be happy regardless of which he chooses.

 

[Bovinicus]

Is writing a CD in 3 or 4 minutes not fast enough? If it isn't, then wait for the 32x, otherwise, just get the 24x writer. I have an 8x writer, and I won't be upgrading until this thing dies. Writing a CD in 10 minutes is plenty fast for me.