Introduction

BenQ, the maker of such award-winning products that included categories from LCD TV monitors as well as projectors, have just released their next optical storage solution in the form of a 52x24x52x CD-RW drive. If you do not know by now, BenQ have actually been quite an active player in the CD-RW market starting from the days when they were still using the Acer branding. While 48x24x48x is still today's mainstream terminology, it is only a matter of time before 52x24x52x takes over that position - especially when many vendors adopting this new terminology standard. Dubbed the CDRW5224P, the new BenQ drive is the direct successor to the 48x16x48x offering and features the latest Seamless Link III technology - BenQ's answer to buffer-underrun protection.


Here's what BenQ have to say about their Seamless Link III -
[quote]BenQ's patented Seamless Link III™ which features Auto-Pilot, Anti-Coaster and Collision Guard technologies allow for efficient burning at high speeds for maximum quality and data integrity and which all help to alleviate buffer under run errors. Unlike many models from the competition that employ software versions of this technology, BenQ utilizes an embedded firmware solution for improved performance and reliability. This built-in firmware monitors the performance & the resource use of the system, the peripherals, and the writing media; thereby optimizing writing speed and quality.[/quote]


The BenQ 52x24x52x we have here today is based on the firmware revision K.HC with a 2MB buffer. Inside the retail box one can expect to find some of the usual fanfares you can expect for a CD-RW drive - included inside our box are a 52x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, audio cable and Nero Express Burning ROM. So how did the BenQ drive performed? Let's find out.