I have an HP laptop that had a CD-RW/DVD combo drive, but decided I want a burner. I was focusing on getting an 8x drive, but I was disappointed that even though this drive tops out at 8x, it doesn't burn as fast as my old NEC ND-2500A desktop, which utilizes 4-6-8x Z-CLV.

I ordered it from Directron (US only, sorry) for about $65 shipped, sold as Sony AW-G540A. Mine came with 1.30 firmware, but I flashed it with Optiarc 1.42b firmware found on Liggy's page and it works just fine.

The specs given on manufacturer's page is wrong. They claim CAV for DVD+/-R, but it only runs in CAV for +R only. It runs in Z-CLV for -R.

DVD+R
2x: 2.4x CLV

4x: 2.4-4x Z-CLV
0-0.5GB =2.4x
0.5GB-4.4GB=4x

6x 2.4-6x Z-CLV
0-0.5GB = 2x
0.5-1.8GB = 4x
1.8-3.8GB = 6x

8x: 3-8x CAV 14minutes

DVD-R.
8x: 2-4-6-8x four zone Z-CLV. Most of burning happens in 4 and 6x. 15 minutes

0-0.5GB = 2x
0.5-1.8GB = 4x
1.8-3.8GB = 6x
3.8-4.4GB = 8x


You might as well just call it a 6x. If you're using -R, it stays at 6x unless you're consistently burning over 3.8GB. The drive is designed to be sparing with RPM.

CD-R: 24x

12-26x CAV takes 5minutes for a full 700MB

16x = 8-12-16x Z-CLV

0-8min = 8x
8-12min = 12x
12-80min = 24x

8x= CLV