[All About PC] Test CD-Writer Mitsumi CR-4804TE

Mitsumi CR 4804TE

We burnt several kinds of CDs on several CD types. The time, that passed between the click on the 'Write'-button until the message of the successful process appears, was stopped. We used the attached burningsoftware WinOnCD. It is well-known, that for every data-CD a time can be stated (650 MB are 74 mins). We divide this time through the needed time and get so a measure for the burningspeed.The following table shows all burning processes and their time:

Burning process	Size	Time	Burning- speed
1:1 Copy of a CD	625 MB 71:12 mins	19:08 mins	3,721
Creation of a data CD from HDD-data	638 MB 72:40 mins	19:31 mins	3,723
Creation of an Audio-CD	649 MB 73:55 mins	20:49 mins	3,551
Creation of an Data-CD with HDD-data on a CD-RW	649 MB 73:49 mins	19:50 mins	3,722

As you can see, the burning speed does not reach the declared 4-fold speed. At data-CDs the speed lies constant at 3,72 (independent of wirting or rewriting), only at audio-CDs this speed is lower at 3,55x. The kind and size of the data is unimportant.
We used two different types of ruffians: on the one hand cheap ruffians and on the other hand trade ruffians. We determined a problem in using the cheap CD-Rs. If the burning speed is set to 4x, all ruffians have a burning error in the last third. Using the 2x burning speed we got no problems. The trade ruffians made also no problems independent of the preseted burning speed.

After the introduction of the UDF-format it is possible to use a ruffian as a harddisk. The ruffian has only to be formated. There are several programs, that can be used. We used the attached PacketCD software. The format process lasted 32:43 mins. After the formatting you can copy data by drag & drop to the CD-R to use it as a exchangedisk. We copied two data packets, an Directory with many small files (size 77,7 MB) and a file of 64 MB.

Copy	HDD -> CD-R	HDD -> HDD
Copy of a directory 77,7 MB	3:31 mins	1:01 mins
Copy of a file 64 MB	2:16 mins	0:48 mins

You can see, that the copyprocess from HDD to CD-R lasted 3,5x long as the copy from HDD to HDD. This seems to be a suitable value.
If you formated the ruffian and copied the data above to it, then for deleting the data it sufficies a fast-format, i.e. the TOC will be deleted. The drive needs 48 secs for this.

The burner has all necessary operation elements. Additional comfort, as a play/skip-button, is not available. The accessories are very luxurious. All necessary cables are added. Likewise are trade ruffians added, so the user can burn the first CD, after a successfull installation.
The added CD includes next to the burning- and the CD-formating software some little user files, as screen saver or games.

The accessories fulfil all requirements and is very user friendly. It is a great pity, that the burner has no play/skip-button, otherwise it would be nearly perfect (in accessories).

Mitsumi delivers an installation manual with the drive. This is busy with the hardware installation into your PC. The unknown user should master the installation with this guide. It is explicit mentioned how the burners has to bejumpered with regard to the position (IDE-Port primary/secondary). The installation into a free 5,25'' box is declared, too. So the hardware installation shall make no problems with this manual. The user manual for the burner is available on the added CD in PDF-format. Here all about Cd-burning is mentioned. All components (Headphone-Jack etc.) are explained. Software installation/deinstallation and the first self-burned CDs, data or audio CDS, 1:1 copy or multisession, are easy to do with this excellent handbook. If you have trouble with the drive, you can also find some help in there. If this does not help, you can call the support-hotline (telphone number is on the datacard!!).

As the manual to the CD-ROM from Mitsumi, this is very large and helpfully. There is nearly everything, what you have to know for burning yourself CDs. A little disadvantage is in our opinion to put the user manual on the CD as a PDF-file. Perhaps it would be better to add it as print too.

The CR-4804TE from Mitsumi is in the CD-ROM scope a really top drive. We miss a little bit of burning-speed (there are 8x burner on the market). The equipment has all most necessary buttons and components. But the manual is really top. It explains everything! Great work!
By a price of 150 US $ this burner is recommendable to everyone, who wants to burn some CDs at home and does not need CD-productions. Beginners are with this burner because of the excellent manual good equipped.