Entered CNET Catalog: 01/01/2003
SKU: 0092281821245
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Manufacturer description
The LF-D521 is the new next-generation combination DVD/CD drive, which meets DVD Multi specifications. The LF-D521 builds on the success of Panasonic's current LF-D321 DVD-RAM/R drive. It extends the drive's capabilities to include read/write support for all Recordable DVD formats approved by the DVD Forum and read/write support for CD-R/RW discs. The LF-D521 offers higher write speeds, faster playback, broad compatibility and the convenience of switching between formats and capacities. It bridges CD and recordable DVD technologies, and computer and consumer electronics applications - providing a single solution for home video, personal computing and business/storage archiving. The new drive provides the security of write-once, the flexibility of rewritable, broad compatibility and the ability to choose between 9.4GB, 5.2GB, 4.7GB, 2.6GB or 700/650MB capacities. In addition to reading and writing DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, CD-R and CD-RW discs, the LF-D521 can also play DVD-ROM, DVDVideo, DVD-Audio and CD-ROM discs. When writing to a 4.7 GB DVD-R General disc, the new drive achieves speeds of up to 2x, with DVD-R playback at max 6x. Reasonably priced and readily available, the write-once DVD-R is considered the most compatible of all DVD formats. The discs can be played back by most of the DVD video players and DVD-ROM drives in use throughout the world today. With huge storage capacity, reliable data management and rewritability up to 100,000 times, DVD-RAM discs are optimally suited for PC applications. The discs' 2x write speed is equivalent to at least 18x CD rate. Smaller files can be stored on low-cost 700MB CD-Rs at up to 12x speed or on CDRW discs at up to 8x speed. CD playback is at max 32x, while DVD-ROM speed is max 12x. To ensure error-free CD recording, the drive includes buffer under-run technology. The LF-D521 drive meets the DVD Forum's DVD Multi specifications, which ensure disc compatibility for all recordable DVD formats established by the 230-member DVD Forum - both for consumer electronics products and personal computers. Product summary
The good: Burns DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW media; edits discs created in consumer DVD-RAM video recorders; deep-dish media tray accepts DVD-RAM cartridges.
The bad: Slow; lacks DVD+R and DVD+RW support.
The bottom line: DVD-RAM fans--especially those with DVD-RAM video recorders--should consider this versatile drive.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 User Rating: 
5/10
DVD-ALBUM SOFTWARE LETS IT DOWNby - October 13, 2004
Pros: Panasonic is a world-class major manufacturer - the DVD-RAM home recorders and this drive are a delight - please see below though...
Cons: Panasonic MUST MUST MUST make the bundled DVD-RAM editing software a point of excellence even if this means major investment - it is the only thing that really makes the Panasonic platforms attractive - DVD-RAM's advantages plus EASY EFFICIENT editing (as
Review:
User Rating: 
3/10
No software support at all, poor s/w features, bad tech. supportby - September 22, 2003
Pros: 5 and 1/2" DVD-RAM Drive
Cons: Does not support 8cm DVD-RAM so this is useless for people with 8cm DVD-Camcorder. Panasonic themselves don't know who supports the the DVD-Movie Album SE3 software which their parent company manufacture and panasonic bundle with s/w CD that comes with Bu
Review:
User Rating: 
7/10
Great Companion for DMRE30!by - March 5, 2003
Pros:
Cons:
Review: Great little package! Paid $275 at buy.com. Reads and edits my Panasonic DMR-E30 desktop recorder DVD-R/RAM disks. Software bundle is generally very good with the exception of MyDVD video editor. I uninstalled MyDVD and bought Ulead MovieFactory 2.0 instead. I copy previously recorded (on my E30) DVD-RAM videos to DVD-R. I temporarily change the DVD-RAM file's ".VRO" suffix to ".mp2", load into MovieFactory, edit (no sound during editing since it is AC-3 audio), and burn to DVD-R. Works great. See the www.dvdrhelp.com website for help with DVD video topics.
User Rating: 7/10
Good for DVD-RAM Video Transferby - February 24, 2003
Pros:
Cons:
Review: I have a Panasonic DMR-E20 DVD-RAM/R Video Recorder, and this drive LF-D521U provides for a perfect transfer of the .VRO files to my hard drive for editing. Unfortunately I got the OEM version of this drive (SW-9571 Series) which did not include the Panasonic DVD-MovieAlbumSE 3.0 to edit the VRO files, I now have to go and buy Software Architect's GreatVideo! to split up the .VRO files into the VOB files that it contains. It takes about 30 minutes to move 4.23GB of data to or from the drive, really you can't complain. If you own a Panasonic DVD-RAM video recorder, GET THIS DRIVE, it provides for a ONE drive solution to video editing, however, if you are just looking for mass storage or just a generic DVD burner, then go with a better quality drive like the Sony DRU500 or the Pioneer A05/105.
User Rating: 
8/10
superb dvd multi burner for databy - January 30, 2003
Pros:
Cons:
Review: it's excelent drive for pc data handling, is very fast with manipulating data files (od dvd-ram), im using for backuping (formated as ntfs w/ compresion).
User Rating: 8/10
Excellent Data Protectionby - January 23, 2003
Pros:
Cons:
Review: What is often overlooked is the 9.4GB capacity per disc due to the use of both sides. Another ignored factor is the protective cartridge - how much is your data worth? Naked media will never be as safe as cartridge based media. DVD-RAM is a block addressable type of media - you can go to head and sector meaning you can write as much or as little data you want as well as modify or delete it easily. The DVD-+RW/DVD-RW issue is overblown - independant studies (published in eMedia) show that both formats have about the same compatibility with DVD players.
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Panasonic LF-D521U DVD burner II specifications
- General
- Device Type DVD-RW / DVD-RAM drive
- Enclosure Type Internal
- Interface IDE
- Width 5.7 in
- Depth 7.7 in
- Height 1.6 in
- Weight 2.4 lbs
- Optical Storage
- Type DVD-RW / DVD-RAM - 5.25" x 1/2H
- Read Speed 32x (CD) / 12x (DVD)
- Write Speed 12x (CD) / 2x (DVD)
- Rewrite Speed 8x (CD) / 1x (DVD-RW) / 2x (DVD-RAM)
- Supported CD Formats Photo CD , CD-DA (audio) , Video CD , CD-ROM XA , CD Extra
- Supported Media Types DVD-RAM , DVD-RW , CD-R , DVD-R , DVD-ROM , CD-RW , CD-ROM
- Media Load Type Tray
- Buffer Size 2.0 MB
- Optical Storage (2nd)
- Type None
- Storage Removable
- Type None
- Storage Controller
- Type None
- Video
- Video Output None
- Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) None
- Interfaces 1.0 x Audio out - 2 pin digital audio , 1.0 x Audio out - 40 pin IDC , 1.0 x ATA-66 - 4 pin MPC
- Compatible Bays 1.0 x Front accessible - 5.25" x 1/2H
- Miscellaneous
- Media Included Qty 2.0
- Power
- Type None
- Software / System Requirements
- Software Included FileSafe , B's Recorder GOLD5 Basic , DVD-MovieAlbum SE , Drivers & Utilities , B's CLiP5 , InterVideo WinDVD 4 , Sonic MyDVD 3.5
- OS Required Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional / XP Professional , Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition , Microsoft Windows 98/ME
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