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DADDY BOB'S COMPUTER Q & A
September 16,
2007
Q.
What do the numbers 52x32x52 describing a CD
drive mean?
A.
The three numbers separated by an "X",
like the 52x32x52 in the question indicate
the drive speeds of the CD drive. The "X"
stands for the transfer rate of 150 KB per
second, and each number represents a
different action that the CD drive can take.
A CD-R
drive has two actions -- recording to and
reading from compact discs. A CD-RW drive
has three actions -- recording, rewriting
(erasing and recording over) and reading.
When
looking at the drive speeds, the first
number ("52" in the above example) indicates
the speed at which the CD drive will record
data onto a CD-R compact disc. So, in the
above example, the CD drive will record data
at 52 times 150 KB/second, or 7800 KB per
second.
The
second number ("32" in the above example)
indicates the speed at which the CD drive
will rewrite data onto a CD-RW compact disc.
So in the above example, the CD drive will
rewrite data onto the compact disc at 32
times 150 KB/second, or 4800 KB oer second.
Typically, the second number, the rewrite
speed, is lower than the first number, the
write speed, because rewriting is a slower
process than writing.
The last
number ("52" in the above example) indicates
the speed at which the drive will read data
from a compact disc. So in the above
example, the CD drive will read data from a
compact disc at 52 times 150 KB/second, or
7800 KB per second.
CD-R
compact discs are discs that can be recorded
on only once. Once the data has been burned,
it is permanent and cannot be erased. CD-RW
compact discs are discs that can be
recorded, erased and re-recorded over. Most
audio CD players, especially older models,
can only read CD-R discs, so it is best to
record music onto CD-Rs. CD-RWs are
typically used to store data or used as back
up media. However, because they are
comparatively expensive, have slow record
rates, and require lengthy formatting before
they are readily useable, are not widely
used.
DVD's
speed ratings are very similar with the
three numbers for R record, RW rewriting
(erasing and recording over), and
read respectively. However, DVDs come
in a variety of different formats, "+", "-",
single sided, double sided, etc. Although some
of the standards for DVDs have not yet been
finalized, they are fast replacing the older
CDs.
Most
current DVD burners also have the capability
to burn and read CDs, and since the price of
these combination drives is quite
reasonable, they have for the most part,
replaced other type of CD/DVD drives in new
computers. |
