Plextor CD-RW Drive with 24X-Write, 10X-Rewrite, and 40X-Read Burns Fast

Despite the fact that we'll probably all be moving to DVD/R devices as soon as they become affordable, the CD drive folks continue to make the devices faster. And, since they're decidedly much cheaper than DVD/R, they're still pretty attractive. Plextor is now putting out the three-in-one PlexWriter 24/10/40A internal drive, which gives you an IDE interface, 24X CD-write, 10X CD-rewrite, and 40X-max CD-read. The PlexWriter 24/10/40A also features PoweRec-II technology, a feature that calibrates the drive to each disc to try to select the best write operation using Zone-CLV servo positioning. Plextor says the drive can record an entire 74-minute compact disc in just under four minutes (233 seconds). Just make sure it's not one of those infamous "copy-protected" CDs . With a data buffer capacity of 4 MB, average random access time is 140ms, and burst transfer rates are 33 MB/sec (Ultra DMA Mode 2) and 16.6 MB/sec (PIO Mode 4/DMA Mode 2). The drive supports a variety of writing modes, including Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Session-at-Once, Multisession, and variable/fixed packet writing. The PlexWriter 24/10/40A also features BURN-Proof (buffer underrun-proof) technology. BURN-Proof prevents errors from occurring when data flow to the drive is interrupted during the recording process due to slow source-drive performance, PC configuration problems, or other active applications. Burn baby, burn.