In House Review - Artec WSM-52X 52/24/52 CD-RW

by **Ian** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 11:18 am

Today, CDRLabs takes a long overdue look at the Artec's 52/24/52 CD-RW, the WSM-52X. This budget priced drive won't put a strain on your wallet. However, it reads and writes at 52x, rewrites at 24x and has features like a 2MB buffer and Super Link technology. Is the Artec WSM-52X the best bang for your buck? You'll have to check out the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=192]

Artec WSM-52X 52/24/52 CD-RW[/url]

If you have any comments or questions about the Artec WSM-52X or the review, please post them in the forum using the link below.

This is also one of the last 52/24/52 CD-RW's we'll be taking a look at. Over the next few weeks we'll be bringing you reviews of some of the latest and greatest 52/32/52 CD-RW's and DVD writers.

by **Bhairav** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 12:10 pm

Nice review, as usual, Ian.
One question: Does the writing speed of a drive depend on the chipset being used,or on some other factors? I mean, if the Lite-On 52246S and the Artec use the same Mediatek chipset, you would expect similar performance, right?
Or are other factors, eg firmware and media lookup tables involved as well?

by **Ian** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 12:17 pm

bhairavp wrote:Or are other factors, eg firmware and media lookup tables involved as well?

There's no easy way to explain this, but yes, there are other things that influence the drives writing speeds. Not only firmware and media tables, but other drive components too.

by **Bhairav** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 12:27 pm

Ah,ok. Stuff like the PU Heads and laser and stuff like that?
Thanks for the quick reply.

by **rdgrimes** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 12:59 pm

Ian, I think you were too kind in your assessment of the write quality and media compatability. Although, more error scans would make it easier to judge, it looks to be worse than average. As for the slow RW reading speed, I'm of the opinion that 48x, or even 40x, is too fast for reading most of the available RW media. So at least they are admitting that.
Another nice review, thanks.

BTW, you may wish to update your stock of the TDK 48x media. It is currently the same media as the 52x, according to the ATIP. You appear to have some older stock.
My 48x TDK:
This Disc is designed for CD-RW/COMBO Drive Only.
Disc Type, Material = CD-R, Phthalocyanine
ATIP Lead-in = 97m 15s 17f
Norminal Capacity = 702.82MB (79m 59s 70f)
Disc Manufacturer maybe = RiTEK,TG
SMART-BURN Speed Limit = 52X

by **Ian** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 1:50 pm

I probably won't pick any more TDK 48x media when I run out. I'll just stick to their 52x media.

Media compatibility was alright. Not quite on the same level as say Lite-On's 52x writer, but better than a lot of others. Yeah, I agree about the writing quality. Artec's 48x writer had a lot of writing quality issues. I was just glad to see that their 52x writer was a lot better.

by **aviationwiz** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 1:55 pm

I had this drive and it was a worthless piece of junk.

Do yourselves a favor and get a nice Lite-On drive which you can get for a similar price. Or, if you don't mind paying more, a Plextor.

by **Ian** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 2:05 pm

Or better yet.. buy 2 Plextors. :roll:

by **aviationwiz** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 2:20 pm

Yeah, one could do that :wink:

by **eliminator** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 7:02 pm

Ian wrote:Or better yet.. buy 2 Plextors.

yup ... and send ME one ! :wink:

by **aviationwiz** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 9:49 pm

elim, send me $130 and I'll send you a Premium. And a Plextor/Googlegear Mug.

by **dodecahedron** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 9:55 pm

aviationwiz wrote:elim, send me $130 and I'll send you a Premium. And a Plextor/Googlegear Mug.

aviationwiz, can i take you up on that too?
i'll send you $130, you'll send me a PlexPremium? :wink:

by **aviationwiz** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 10:02 pm

Well, sure, I guess. Shipping to Israel would cost a lot though...

130 USD is roughly 570 ILS (Israel New Shekels)

by **aviationwiz** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 10:05 pm

Yup, no problem at all. Send me $130 for the drive. And another $130 for shipping. UPS Worldwide Express appears to cost $129.44 to Israel for a 4 pound package insured for $200.

You'd also have to pay some more for Customs.

Or $37.50 for USPS Global Express Mail with $200 insurance.

by **dodecahedron** on Tue Jul 15, 2003 10:15 pm

yeah, well that was the whole idea!
i'll send you the $130, you'll send me the plex! shipping's on you

i was kidding of course

by **Scour** on Wed Jul 16, 2003 1:33 am

Hello!

@Ian

Are you sure that TEAC is manufacturing the Sony-media?

by **Ian** on Wed Jul 16, 2003 7:48 am

Scour wrote:Are you sure that TEAC is manufacturing the Sony-media?

It's a typo.

by **Scour** on Wed Jul 16, 2003 2:15 pm

Ian wrote:
Scour wrote:Are you sure that TEAC is manufacturing the Sony-media?

It's a typo.

Are you mean a typing error with "typo"?

by **Ian** on Wed Jul 16, 2003 2:17 pm

Scour wrote:Are you mean a typing error with "typo"?

Yup.

In House Review - Artec WSM-52X 52/24/52 CD-RW

In House Review - Artec WSM-52X 52/24/52 CD-RW

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