Error Correction

To test error correction, we intentionally made two scratches onto a CD.  Testing with this CD yielded the following results:

The drive slows down its rate when it encounters the scratches in order to read the data correctly, but aftward does not return to its maximum speed: First it checks to see if a higher speed is even possible, and then after a time gradually adjusts itself.

Access times

Here we see the same behavior that we saw with the transfer rates.  The drive does not differentiate between original CDs and CD-Rs, but with rewritten CD-RWs it decreases.  These scores are worse than what we usually see, keeping the drive at the lower end.

Log in

At 10 seconds, the log in time for original CDs and CD-Rs is quite good.  With rewritten CD-RWs, it only needs an extra split second to log in, which is even better.

Digital Audio Extraction (DAE )

I m Compared to most current CD burners, which achieve DAE rates of up to 25x, the ASUS CD-S500 seems kind of slow.  But compared to current CD-ROMs, these numbers are acceptable.

Manual & configuration

Packaged in a simple plastic bag, the drive comes with a CD and booklet that briefly describes the drive’s installation and features.  It also provides a brief troubleshooting section.  For more serious problems, a tech support telephone number is provided.

When using the drive, we encountered a great deal of noise: it sounded like a Saturn rocket getting ready to launch.  Fortunately, when the noises become too loud, one can decrease the maximum speed by pressing the Play/Skip button.

The left control key can be used to reduce the speed after a CD is inserted.  Depending upon the number of operations being performed, the maximum speed can be reduced to 40X, 32X, 24X, or 8X.  To resent the speed, eject the CD and reinserted.

One can see the results of this manual speed control from the following CDSpeed99 chart: