First Look: Yamaha CRW-F1

Wayne N. Kawamoto
Managing Editor, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

Yamaha latest CD recorder is a 24X ReWritable recorder with Mt. Rainier support, DiscT@2 technology that eliminates labels, an advanced audio recording mode, and a software bundle that is supposed to be worth over $300.

The all-new CRW-F1 internal and external models support both PC and Mac platforms. With the launch of the CRW-F1, Yamaha introduces its new DiscT@2 Laser Labeling System, which should allow graphics and text to be burnt onto the unused portion of any CD-R disc. This feature is made possible through Yamaha’s control of key elements of recording that include: 1) tracking; 2) rotation; 3) laser intensity and positioning.

The CRW-F1 offers 24X CD-RW ReWriting. With Mt. Rainer drag-and-drop CD rewriting and on-the-fly formatting support, the CRW-F1 should burn CD-RW discs at up to 24X and may reduce recording times by 50%. In addition, with Yamaha’s CD-RW Audio Track Edit system, there should no longer be a need to erase an entire CD-RW disc to add a track or file to the disc.

The new Advanced Audio Master Quality Recording System is designed to guarantee good audio or data recording quality on conventional 74 or 80-minute CD-R discs, as well as new 90 and 99-minute discs. When Audio Master recording mode is enabled, the system widens the lands and the pits, which may reduce the jitter that’s created during CD-R recording, which improves audio and music recording quality. In addition, CD recordings performed using the new Advanced Audio Master Quality Recording may deliver superior durability and longer life, especially for recorded discs used or stored under extreme conditions.

The CRW-F1 CD recorder features 8MB of buffer memory (4 times larger than industry standard); Yamaha’s Safe-Burn technology, which may eliminate buffer underruns and allow for maximum reliability while multitasking; Yamaha’s PurePhase Laser System, which reduces jitter while recording by 25%, the ability to read and rip audio at 44X; easy plug-and-play installation, Multi-OS support including Microsoft Windows XP; and Full-CAV technology that’s designed to guarantee maximum performance and reliability.

The CRW-F1 retail bundle includes software from Nero for the PC, Roxio’s Toast Lite for the Mac, Adobe PhotoDeluxe for PC, Adobe Photoshop LE for Mac, and Dantz Retrospect Express Backup for Microsoft Windows. The software suite also includes a custom-designed version of MusicMatch software (PC and Mac), which includes an audio ripper and MP3/CD player software. Combined, Sony says that this software package is valued at $300.

The CRW-F1 internal E-IDE models will be available in mid-July 2002, followed by internal SCSI and external USB 2.0 in August. The dual interface FireWire/USB 2.0 model and the SCSI models will complete the series shortly thereafter.

For product information, visit the company’s site at www.yamaha.com or call (714) 522-9011.