FlextraLink™ Technology

The ASUS FlextraLink™ technology provides a seamless combination of flexibility and ultra-reliable recording quality.

FlextraLink™ incorporates a flexible strategy that prevents buffer underrun problems caused by an empty data buffer. This CD-RW drive technology allows continuous monitoring of the data buffer status during the write process. Once the available data drops to approximately 1% of the total buffer capacity, the drive stops recording and marks the last write position. When new data is received from the host, it is loaded to the data buffer, and the laser is repositioned to link the new data with the data already written. FlextraLink™ uses minimal system resources so that your PC remains fully operational throughout the writing process, and available for other applications.

The diagram below shows the advantage of the FlextraLink™ recording technology.

FlextraLink™ Technology Solution

 

 

Data

 

 

Data transfer

Conventional

slows down

 

Recording

Buffer

 

 

Memory

 

 

Write Data

 

 

Write process

Data

 

continues

 

 

 

Buffer

 

Write Data

Memory

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

Data transfer

 

 

slows down

 

 

Buffer

 

 

Memory

Recording with

Write Data

Write process stops;

FlextraLink™

waits until there is

Technology

enough data for writing

 

Data

Data transfer slower than write process

Buffer

Memory

Empty

Bad disc results

Data

Data transfer continues and fills buffer with sufficient data for writing

Buffer

Memory

Write Data

Write process continues until writing is complete

ASUS CRW-3212A User’s Manual

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Asus CRW-3212A specifications FlextraLink Technology Solution

CRW-3212A specifications

The Asus CRW-3212A is an internal CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable) drive that entered the market during the early 2000s, addressing the growing need for optical storage solutions. Known for its impressive performance, this drive became an essential component for users looking to write and duplicate CDs efficiently.

One of the standout features of the CRW-3212A is its writing capability. It supports a maximum write speed of 32x for CD-R discs and 12x for CD-RW media. This swift writing capability was particularly appealing for those who frequently burned data, music, and video onto CDs, allowing users to create discs in a matter of minutes. Additionally, the drive offers reliable read speeds of up to 48x, ensuring rapid data access and retrieval.

The drive boasts Buffer Under Run technology, a significant innovation that alleviates the risk of incomplete burns. Buffer Under Run errors occur when the data flow to the drive is interrupted, potentially compromising the quality of a disc. With this technology, the Asus CRW-3212A can temporarily pause the writing process while the buffer is refilled, minimizing the chances of errors and ensuring smooth and successful burn sessions.

Another notable feature includes its compatibility with various CD formats, such as CD-R, CD-RW, and CD-DA. This versatility allows users to not only burn data but also create audio CDs for personal use or distribution. The drive's support for different CD formats makes it an ideal choice for a wide audience, from casual users to professionals in need of reliable media creation tools.

In addition to its performance features, the Asus CRW-3212A was designed with user convenience in mind. It comes equipped with an IDE interface, which makes it easy to install in desktop systems. The drive also includes software support for mastering and burning tasks, further enhancing the user experience.

Overall, the Asus CRW-3212A stands out as a robust optical drive that combines high writing speeds with advanced technologies to provide reliable CD writing and reading capabilities. Its legacy in the optical storage space highlights the importance of versatile and efficient solutions for data storage during a time when CDs were a primary format for data transfer and media consumption.