SYS Technologies Cold Fusion 1000 - Athlon 1GHz

Instead of just doing what everyone else had been doing for the past few years, Zen decided to take a totally different approach. Instead of just spinning the disc faster, they decided to use a totally revolutionary method that features multiple beams to read parallel tracks on the CD-ROM. Zen describes it best in their white paper as follows:

The Multiple Beam approach to illuminating and detecting multiple tracks uses a diffracted laser beam in conjunction with a multiple beam detector array. A conventional laser diode is sent through a diffraction grating which splits the beam into seven discrete beams, spaced evenly to illuminate seven tracks. The seven beams pass through a beam splitting mirror to the objective lens and onto the surface of the disc. Focus and tracking are accomplished with the central beam. Three beams on either side of the center are readable by a detector array as long as the center is on track and in focus.

The reflected beams return via the same path and are directed to the multiple beam detector array by the beam splitter mirror. The detector contains seven discrete detectors spaced to align with seven reflected tracks. Conventional detectors are also provided for focus and tracking.

With this technology, high performance CD-ROM drives can be made without such ridiculously high rotational speeds and without the use of CAV. The return to CLV has allowed for the replacement of the "max" part of the drive rating with the "TrueX" moniker.

Unfortunately, because of the nature of the True-X technology CDs with any defects such as scratches, etc… will have problems being read on the drive which was the case in our tests.  Installing programs off of CDs that did have minor scratches (although they would work just fine on our normal Phillips 48X test drives) caused some read errors.  Copying the entire SYSMark 2000 CD to the hard drive resulted in a few of the test data used by the applications in the benchmark being corrupt.  In the end, although the 72X True-X drive featured higher transfer rates, we would have much rather have had seen a DVD drive or even a regular CAV drive. 

Going with the True-X is definitely a cool option, but not one we’d realistically recommend unless your CDs are perfectly scratchless.