Philips 08012002 Mode D'emploi page 30

3.5 Thermo-Balanced Writing (TBW)
Introduction
TBW intelligent drive technology, developed and patented by Philips, is a powerful new feature that
assures data integrity by physically testing each disc, then tuning the output of the recording laser, and
choosing the recording speed to suit each individual disc.
Even if the drive determines to use a recording speed lower than the maximum possible, it will always
choose the maximum speed which can safely be used for the inserted disc.
This results in an "intelligent" drive, which adapts its behaviour to suit the precise requirements of each
individual disc, ensuring the best possible recording quality on all media. It provides a very high
success rate even when recording on discs of a quality below the internationally recognised standards.
The Philips 12x8x32x ReWriter internal drives were the first products utilising TBW technology and
from these drives onwards, all Philips ReWriter drives have this feature.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ReWriter drives also write CD-RW discs of course. However, TBW technology is
not applicable to the RW function as ReWritable discs utilise a completely different recording
methodology than Recordable discs.
The problem
Numerous recordable disc manufacturers all over the world are now producing what has become a
commodity item. Unfortunately, in some cases, the quality of these discs is not in accordance with
global standards for this media. There may be areas on the disc surface with an insufficient amount of
recording medium (in addition to scratches, dirt marks or other surface defects), or even gross
mechanical damage which results in imbalance.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable way a consumer can judge what he or she is buying (there exists no
universal authoritative quality logo on the disc packaging). So when you buy and "burn" what are
effectively sub-standard discs, any resulting problems are more likely to be attributed to the CD drive
unit than to the disc. It is a question of compatibility, something you as the end user implicitly desire,
but are unable to verify yourself.
The solution
Philips has applied considerable effort to developing and testing an "on board" system of self-
calibration for recording CD-R discs. It is part of a continuous Philips programme that is devoted to the
perfection of writer technology, and particularly, to anticipating and solving end user problems, thereby
enabling greater ease of use.
The Philips solution lies in a technique designated TBW [Thermo-Balanced Writing], a feature which is
to be introduced in all new Philips ReWriter drives.