Yamaha Electronics Corp. has introduced the CRW-F1, which they modestly describe as “the ultimate CD-Recorders.”
What makes them so “ultimate”? Yamaha says it’s because they are the first 24X ReWritable recorder with Mt. Rainier support, DiscT@2 technology that eliminates the need for labels, Advanced Audio Master recording mode and reliable Full-CAV writing. And the CRW-F1 internal and external models work with both the traditional Mac OS and Mac OS X. The CRW-F1 series features seven different retail models (four internal, three external). The external models introduce a new enclosure design and are available in three models, including a Dual Interface model (CRW-F1ZDX) featuring both FireWire and USB connections (though it’s a USB 2.0 connection), a USB 2.0 model, and an Ultra SCSI model.
Yamaha says the DiscT@2 Laser Labeling System allows graphics and text to be burnt onto the unused portion of any CD-R disc. With full Mt. Rainer drag-and-drop CD rewriting and on-the-fly formatting support, the CRW-F1 burns CD-RW discs at up to 24X, reducing the time for your overall rewriting experience by 50 percent compared to the (previously) fastest available models in the market, the company claims. And with Yamaha’s CD-RW Audio Track Edit system, you no longer have to erase an entire CD-RW disc to add a track or file to the disc.
Also incorporated into the list of CRW-F1’s standard features is Yamaha’s new Advanced Audio Master Quality Recording System which guarantees “the best possible audio or data recording quality” on conventional 74 or 80-minute CD-R discs, as well as new 90 and 99-minute discs, according to Allen Gharapetian, general manager, Yamaha Multimedia Products Division. When Audio Master recording mode is enabled, the system widens the lands and the pits, reducing jitter created during CD-R recording, improving audio and music recording quality.
The CRW-F1 CD recorder also features an 8MB of buffer memory; Yamaha’s Safe-Burn technology, which eliminates buffer underruns; and Yamaha’s PurePhase Laser System, which purportedly reduces jitter while recording by 25 percent. Bundled software includes Roxio’s Toast Lite, Adobe Photoshop LE and MusicMatch.
The CRW-F1 internal E-IDE models will be available in mid-July, 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 slated to debut shortly thereafter. Pricing will be announced as the models are rolled out.