Introduction and Construction

A little over a month ago, Pioneer quickly reclaimed their undisputed title as DVD recordable king with the introduction of the 107D. For several months prior, users were beginning to champion DVD+R over DVD-R since DVD+R 8X drives were a dime a dozen. However, Pioneer and NEC quickly extinguished any doubts of DVD-R with their newest drives, the Pioneer 107D and NEC 2500A.

Since the 107D had received so much attention in recent weeks, we decided to review a very similar drive, the ASUS DRW-0804P. Our ASUS 8x8 drive is based on the same chipset and pickup as the Pioneer 107D, and also carries an equivalent price tag.

The media bundle with the ASUS 8x8 was extremely weak. In the package, we received a copy of Ahead Nero Burning ROM 6.3, a user's manual, and installation manual. There were no bundled DVD+/-R discs. The saving grace for the drive bundle came in the form of the documentation. ASUS' documentation was short, sweet and easy to follow. Sometimes a little documentation goes a long way.

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.

ASUS' 8x8 looks similar to the DRW-0402P/D in both form and function. The front bezel looks identical to the older drive, although the drive shield has changed slightly. The loading tray, eject button and LED remained the same from our last review.

Click to enlarge.

Also, like the DRW-0402P/D (Pioneer A06), the drive has a small cutout for exhaust in the rear.

The ASUS 8x8 is based on the same NEC D63630GM chipset, the same chipset found in the NEC-2500A (and obviously the Pioneer 107D). We will see many similarities between these two drives throughout the review. This chipset is also used in some other 8X DVD+/-R drives (like the Aopen DRW8800). The ASUS 8x8 also uses the NEC C3330 analog controller, which comes with the D63630GM chipset.

Click to enlarge.

Unusually, internal documentation suggests the NEC D63630GM is capable of reading DVD-RAM media, although many drives that use the chip do not support this claim. ASUS does with this drive.

Specifications

Below is a quick overview of specifications on the drive:

ASUS DRW-0804P DVD-/+R Drive
Interface	IDE
CD Write Speed	24X (Z-CLV) 16X, 12X, 8X, 4X (CLV)
CD Rewrite Speed	24X (Z-CLV) 16X, 12X, 8X, 4X (CLV)
HD-CD Write Speed	24x, 18x (CAV) 12x, 6x (CLV)
CD Read Speed	40X Max (CAV)
DVD-R Write Speed	8X (Z-CLV) 4X, 2X (CLV)
DVD-RW Rewrite Speed	4X, 2X, 1X (CLV)
DVD+R Write Speed	8X (Z-CLV) 4X, 2X (CLV)
DVD+RW Rewrite Speed	4X, 2.4X (CLV)
DVD Read Speed	12X Max (16,620KB/s) (CAV)
Supported Modes	DAO / DAO-RAW 16 & 96 TAO SAO / SAO 16 & 96 Packet Write MultiSession
Supported Formats	DVD+R (DAO, incremental, seq) DVD+RW (random) DVD-R (DAO, incremental, seq) DVD-RW (restricted overwrite) CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-DA, CD-ROM XA, Mixed Mode, CD Extra Photo CD, CD Text, Bootable CD, UDF
Access Time	CD: 130ms DVD: 140ms
Buffer	2MB

The specifications on the ASUS 8x8 are mixed. We are very pleased to see low access times, high DVD+R and DVD-R write speeds, but it seems as though CDR speeds are significantly lower than many other burners that we have around the lab. We are looking forward to testing the 8X write descriptors for DVD-R.

Unfortunately, our 8x8 does not support Mt. Rainier. Even though we were originally very excited for this technology, it seems that the lack of support for larger manufacturers has pushed it into obscurity.

Our drive came with the 1.05 firmware release. However, we were able to upgrade to the 1.13 firmware provided from ASUS. The firmware can be downloaded here.

Tech Support

One key item that we have overlooked in most of our optical display reviews is technical support. Our very our Evan Lieb pioneered the original tech support benchmark for motherboards and today, we will attempt to replicate that benchmark with our optical storage vendors.

We used three camouflaged email addresses and emailed particularly trivial questions concerning our burners to each vendor. If tech support was capable of responding to all 3 emails within 72 hours (3 business days), we averaged the three times together for a final result. Our original results from the last DVDR Roundup combined with the ASUS 8x8 are below:

Average Customer Support Response Time
ASUS (Dec 2003)	No Response
ASUS (Mar 2004)	No Response - Update***
Gigabyte (Dec 2003)	38 hours, 12 minutes
LiteOn (Dec 2003)	41 hours, 20 minutes
MSI (Dec 2003)	No Response
MSI (Mar 2004)	27 hours, 11 minutes
NEC (Dec 2003)	29 hours, 48 mintues
Nu Tech (Dec 2003)	N/A
Plextor (Dec 2003)	11 hours, 10 minutes
Sony (Dec 2003)	6 hours, 44 minutes

***Update: We recently worked with ASUS concerning the issue of no response on our tech support. We were able to narrow the emails down to a spam filter on ASUS's tech support server which was unfortunately not allowing our emails through. This was the results of too many numerical characters in the email address. As we recommend below, if you receive a bounced email or no response from the email support, the best solution is to call their tech support number.

Like our December 2003 roundup, we were unable to receive a response from ASUS via the US tech support email [email protected]. However, this benchmark is slightly misleading for a company like ASUS. Even though we were unable to find tech support help via email, the ASUS support site provided us with answers for two of the three questions submitted. Through the ASUS support line, (502)-995-0883, the final question was answered.

Burn Tests CDR Media

We used the following configuration to test our ASUS 8x8:

Albatron 865PE Pro II
Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz 800FSB
2 x 512MB DDR OCZ PC3200 EL
Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM 8MB IDE
Windows XP SP1

Our ASUS 8x8 was benchmarked using the still unreleased 1.13 Firmware. You may download the firmware off our site here.

During our DVDR Roundup, we developed a strong methodology for testing our burner under several different kinds of media and burn processes. Today, we will add our burn times from the previous benchmark to this review. We have added and updated media from the previous benchmark to reflect the expanding selection in today's market.

Ritek 97m31s01f - 52X CDR
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	15.97X	74:43.00	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	22.39X	74:43.00	Z-CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	30.23X	74:43.00	CAV
LiteOn LDW-411S	30.22X	74:43.00	CAV
MSI DR4-A	21.04X	74:43.00	Z-CLV
MSI DR8-A	30.32X	74:43.00	CAV
NEC 1300A	16.00X	74:43.00	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	29.87X	74:43.00	CAV
Plextor 708A	33.33X	74:43.00	P-CAV
Sony DRU-530A	29.28X	74:43.00	P-CAV

Mitsubishi 97m23s24f - 24X CDRW
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	8.36X	74:43.00	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	22.26X	74:43.00	Z-CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	23.44X	74:43.00	P-CAV
LiteOn LDW-411S	23.43X	74:43.00	P-CAV
MSI DR4-A	10.04X	74:43.00	CLV
MSI DR8-A	23.32X	74:43.00	P-CAV
NEC 1300A	10.00X	74:43.00	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	9.94X	74:43.00	CLV
Plextor 708A	23.78X	74:43.00	P-CAV
Sony DRU-530A	23.31X	74:43.00	P-CAV

The maximum 24X burn speed on CDR media is slightly disappointing. On the other hand, CDRW burn speeds were very good. Granted, the difference between burning CDR media on the Plextor 708A or ASUS 8x8 is less than a minute. The ASUS DRW-0804P uses the same write strategies for CDR and CDRW media.

Erasure of a CD-RW took 2:00 minutes.

Burn Tests DVD+R Media

Higher burn speed averages are better. With the newest ASUS drive, pay particular attention to which write descriptors that the drive was able to capture.

RICOHJPNR00 - 2.4X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	2.43X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	2.46X	4.38GB	CLV
Plextor 708A	2.42X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV

MCC 002 - 4X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	6.36X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
NEC 1300A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	7.62X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Plextor 708A	7.67X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV

MCC 003 - 8X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	7.71X	4.3GB	Z-CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	6.78X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
NEC 1300A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	7.62X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Plextor 708A	7.72X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Sony DRU-530A	6.63X	4.38GB	Z-CLV

RICOHJPNR01 - 4X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	6.81X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
NEC 1300A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	7.65X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Plextor 708A	7.20X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.05X	4.38GB	CLV

YUDEN000T01 - 4X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	6.80X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
NEC 1300A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	7.66X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Plextor 708A	7.65X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.03X	4.38GB	CLV

Unfortunately, the ASUS DRW-0804P would not recognize an 8X write descriptor on the overly popular "MCC 002" media. Very similar to the Sony DRU-530A, our ASUS 8x8 would only write 8X on sanctioned 8X discs. It seems that the D63630GM chipset follows write descriptors very strictly and does not recalibrate on the fly in the same manner as the Plextor 708A or NuTech DDW-081.

DVD/CD Speed incorrectly identifies some of the write modes as P-CAV rather than Z-CLV.

Burn Tests DVD-R Media

Higher burn speed averages are better. We introduced a few new media types for sanctioned 8X DVD-R burn times.

PRINCO - 1X DVD-R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	1.01X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	1.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	1.02X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	1.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	1.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	2.02X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	1.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	-	4.38GB	-
Plextor 708A	2.02X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	2.02X	4.38GB	CLV

RITEKG04 - 4X DVD-R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	4.05X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	-	4.38GB	-
Plextor 708A	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.04X	4.38GB	CLV

MCC01RG20 - 4X DVD-R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	-	4.38GB	-
Plextor 708A	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.05X	4.38GB	CLV

MCC 02RG20 - 8X DVD-R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0804P	7.70X	4.3GB	Z-CLV

One neat little aspect about the ASUS DRW-0802P is versatility for writing poor quality media. Although we listed test cases for specific media above, we also tested many other media (some without write descriptors). The Pioneer 106 and 107D had no trouble burning even the worst quality media that we could find. On the contrary, our Plextor 708A was very picky about burning media without write descriptors and usually would not burn certain "cheapy" DVD-Rs.

Burn Tests DVD-RW Media

Higher burn speed averages are better.

RICOHJPNW01 - 2.4X DVD+RW
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	2.45X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	2.42X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	2.42X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	2.40X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	2.45X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	2.42X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	2.37X	4.38GB	CLV
Plextor 708A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV

MKM A02 - 2.4X DVD+RW
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.0X	4.38GB	CLV

PHILIPS 041 - 4X DVD+RW
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	-	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	-	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	4.04X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	-	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	3.92X	4.38GB	CLV
Plextor 708A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV

RICOHJPNW11 - 4X DVD+RW
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	-	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	-	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	4.04X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	-	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	3.96X	4.38GB	CLV
Plextor 708A	3.99X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV

MCC00RW11N9 - 1X DVD-RW
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	1.01X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	1.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	1.01X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	1.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	1.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	1.01X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	1.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	-	4.38GB	-
Plextor 708A	1.02X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	1.01X	4.38GB	CLV

PVCW00V00245 - 2X DVD-RW
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	1.95X	4.38GB	CLV
ASUS DRW-0804P	2.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	2.00X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	2.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	2.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	2.00X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	2.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	-	4.38GB	-
Plextor 708A	2.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	2.03X	4.38GB	CLV

MCC 01RW4X - 4X DVD-RW
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0804P	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV

Read Tests - Printed Media

Seek Times - Pressed CD 74:40.02
Drive	Random	Full
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	123ms	163ms
ASUS DRW-0804P	127ms	296ms
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	92ms	187ms
LiteOn LDW-411S	88ms	179ms
MSI DR4-A	128ms	188ms
MSI DR8-A	76ms	145ms
NEC 1300A	121ms	183ms
Nu Tech DDW-081	102ms	167ms
Plextor 708A	94ms	167ms
Sony DRU-530A	125ms	199ms

Seek Times - DVD 4.38GB
Drive	Random	Full
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	145ms	188ms
ASUS DRW-0804P	130ms	312ms
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	142ms	173ms
LiteOn LDW-411S	120ms	196ms
MSI DR4-A	166ms	249ms
MSI DR8-A	117ms	170ms
NEC 1300A	124ms	167ms
Nu Tech DDW-081	135ms	144ms
Plextor 708A	170ms	228ms
Sony DRU-530A	175ms	242ms

CD and DVD seek times were particularly poor on the 8x8. We noticed this on the previous generation of ASUS/Pioneer drives as well.

We used various DVD and CD media around the lab for this portion of the benchmark. We attempted to use discs that contained no errors or scratches. Higher read speed averages are better.

Read - Pressed CD
Drive	Average Read	Length
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	25.10X	74:43.00
ASUS DRW-0804P	30.89X	74:43.00
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	30.42X	74:43.00
LiteOn LDW-411S	30.39X	74:43.00
MSI DR4-A	30.81X	74:43.00
MSI DR8-A	30.62X	74:43.00
NEC 1300A	31.01X	74:43.00
Nu Tech DDW-081	32.22X	74:43.00
Plextor 708A	31.66X	74:43.00
Sony DRU-530A	31.59X	74:43.00

Read - DVDR
Drive	Average Read	Length
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.62X	4.38GB
ASUS DRW-0804P	6.27X	4.38GB
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	5.22X	4.38GB
LiteOn LDW-411S	5.23X	4.38GB
MSI DR4-A	4.05X	4.38GB
MSI DR8-A	4.04X	4.38GB
NEC 1300A	3.66X	4.38GB
Nu Tech DDW-081	6.26X	4.38GB
Plextor 708A	6.05X	4.38GB
Sony DRU-530A	3.48X	4.38GB

Read - Pressed DVD Video
Drive	Average Read	Length
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	2.18X	7.88GB
ASUS DRW-0804P	6.34X	7.88GB
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	9.26X	7.88GB
LiteOn LDW-411S	9.24X	7.88GB
MSI DR4-A	2.04X	7.88GB
MSI DR8-A	9.01X	7.88GB
NEC 1300A	3.66X	7.88GB
Nu Tech DDW-081	3.11X	7.88GB
Plextor 708A	9.14X	7.88GB
Sony DRU-530A	2.01X	7.88GB

DVD and CD reads were right about where we expected on the DR8-A. Eject time was measured at 1.4s.

Final Thoughts

There are multiple problems with the ASUS 8x8 (as well as Pioneer 107D, and NEC 2500A). Slow access times, slow CDR burn speeds, and lack of recalibration for unsanctioned media all come to mind. With the exception of access times, all of these specifications have been improved since the last ASUS DVD recorder, but they are out-paced by some of the other drives that we have reviewed.

The large downfall of the drive is, unfortunately, price. The ASUS 8x8 sells for around $130, while the Pioneer 107D retails for a few dollars less, but firmware releases for the Pioneer 107D are released faster. The near identical performing NEC 2500A retails for around $90. Recall in our introduction that all three of these drives are based on the same NEC chipset, although the NEC 2500A uses a slightly different pickup.

That being said, there are a lot of redeeming qualities about the ASUS 8x8 as well. The sacrifice of burn speed for media support is acceptable. Rebates on the drive should keep it priced fairly aggressively with the Pioneer 107D, so consider it as a possible substitution if the price is right.

Special Thanks to Sony and Verbatim for providing media for this review.