The Samsung SM-332 Combo Drive is a fantastic buy for any CD Writer enthusiast. You also get to watch DVDs and the performance is just too good. All the necessary software are provided in separate CD-roms which come along with the package.
The key features other than the combo capabilities are Ultra DMA, JustLink Buffer Under Run Free technology, a whopping 8MB buffer memory, 1MB flash memory, and more are equipped into this high-performance ODD.
(1) Combination of CD-R/RW and DVD-ROM (2) 32X CD-Recording, 10X CD-Rewriting, 40X CD-ROM Reading, and 12X DVD-ROM Reading. (3) Adopting a technology to prevent Buffer Under Run Errors EIDE/ATAPI Interface for easy installation (4) Optical Pick-Ups adopting Annular Mask Lens 8MB Buffer Memory makes any DVD-ROM read smoothly (5) Supports variable packet CD-R, variable and fixed packet CD-RW read and write. (6)Soft MPEG decoder plays DVD-Video without MPEG decoder board.
The SM-332 came nicely packed with 2 pieces of Styrofoam and packed into a cardboard box about twice the size of the burner. In the package, one CD-R disc rated up to 32x and one CD-RW for speeds up to 12x were provided. Other than the media, 4 mounting screws, 1 ATA100 IDE cable, 1 CD-ROM audio cable, 1 instruction booklet, and application software came with the drive for an easy setup. Samsung has decided to keep it simple. Included in the package is the Nero burning ROM from AHEAD Software licensed by Samsung for its burning needs. Within the disk, Nero burning ROM Nero media player software, and Device Driver for DOS are provided. That is for the burning needs, but how about DVD playing software? Samsung knows that public wants and they give us what we all want. Samsung’s special licensed PowerDVDxp from Cyberlink gives you what you need with a nifty interface.
I have found the LED lighted ’’Open’’ button and the design very attractive. The performance is at top notch. The Samsung SM-332 is one of the most versatile ODD that is offered today. Its sleek design, superb quietness, superior burning abilities, affordability, and its vast features, the Samsung SM-332 is one drive that is worth looking into.
To compile a data CD (full 700MB) in one go, it took 7:42 secs without verification of written data. When you have lot many programs on your computer, its advisable to defrag ur hard disk and then proceed with cd burning at 32X. Or else buffer under run in the middle of a cd writing process is likely to take place. Another technique to avoid this buffer under run (i have successfully tried it) is to carry out the writing at 12X or 14X. Dont worry....the time taken will be the same around 7:42 seconds to burn a 700MB cd full or cd-cd copy of a full CD. By the latter process you dont have to sit tensed before your pc to observe a buffer under run and naturally a wastage of another CD.
Pricing is another reason why this combo drive is so attractive.