The Test
Our benchmarks include a few tests to show the performance of each of our test drives. We first use Nero CD-DVD Speed to create a data disc, which tests the write capabilities/performance of the drive. We then run a transfer rate test to benchmark the read capabilities as well as verify the data on the disc.Finally, we use our Plextor PX-712A drive to read the media for PI/PO errors. According to the ECMA standard...
A row of an ECC Block that has at least 1 byte in error constitutes a PI error. In any 8 consecutive ECC Blocks, the total number of PI errors before correction shall not exceed 280.Now, some writers may create discs with more than 208 PI errors and they are not necessarily unreadable, but they are not the best quality discs around.
A row is 182 bytes long where the last 10 bytes contain PI (Parity Inner) information. An ECC block is 208 rows long where the last 16 rows contain the PO (Parity Outer) information. This gives us a maximum possible PI error amount of 208 errors per block and for 8 blocks after each other, this sum is of course 8 times higher giving a maximum possible amount of 1664 PI errors.
If a row of an ECC Block contains more than 5 erroneous bytes, the row is said to be “PI-uncorrectable” or PIF (Parity Inner Failures).
In any ECC Block, the number of PI-uncorrectable rows should not exceed 4.
Our test bed:
AMD Athlon64 3500+ (2.2Ghz)
Giga-byte GA-K8NXP-SLI
NVIDIA 6600GT SLI Edition (single 128MB card)
1GB (512MBx2) Corsair XMS4400
Plextor PX-712A, Firmware v1.07
Microsoft Windows XP SP2
Nero CD-DVD Speed 4.00
PlexTools Professional XL 3.03
The Competition
| Firmware | Access Time (CD/DVD) |
DVD +/-R Write | DVD +/-RW Write | DVD +/-R DL Write | CD-R/RW Write | CD/DVD Read | Buffer Size | |
| BenQ DW1640 | BSHB | 120ms/ 120ms |
16x/16x | 8x/6x | 8x/NA | 48x/32x | 48x/16x | 2MB |
| LG GSA-4163B | A104 | 125ms/ 145ms |
16x/16x | 8x/6x | 4x/NA | 40x/24x | 40x/16x | 2MB |
| NEC ND-3540A | 1.01 | 120ms/ 140ms |
16x/16x | 8x/6x | 8x/6x | 48x/32x | 40x/16x | 2MB |
| Pioneer DVR-109D | 1.55 | 120ms/ 130ms |
16x/16x | 4x/6x | 6x/NA | 40x/24x | 40x/16x | 2MB |
| Sony DRU-720A | JY03 | 140ms/ 135ms |
16x/16x | 8x/6x | 4x/NA | 48x/24x | 40x/16x | 2MB |
| Toshiba SD-R5372 | TU55 | 100ms/ 120ms (200ms DVD-RAM) |
16x/16x | 8x/6x | 5x/NA | 48x/24x | 48x/16x | 2MB |
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JetBlack69 - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Any information about how loud the drives where while reading the discs? I'm in the market for a DVD burner and I'd like a drive that's quiet.semo - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
btw, any news on the nec 4550a?semo - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
no taiyo yuden media tests?i personally don't like 16x media. tyg02 dye burned on the dw1640 @ 8x give really good results. i think you can also overspeed to 12x.
keitaro - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Okay, so we see the latest generation of drives with their latest firmware installed. However, tested with only a handful of medias? How about comparing those to that of Taiyo-Yuden discs? It'd be interesting to see how they stack up when compared to the more commonly affordable discs.gdtaylor - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
I'm still waiting for affordable Dual Layer media.Calin - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Looks like the past of the burners was great, their present is... well, see #3I think there is no reason to wonder, as I payed three years ago one and a half ($100) for a Teac CD burner that worked perfectly than for the LG 4160 burner that has strong media preferences
IceWindius - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Hah, I love my Plextor 716A with the newest firmware that does 6x DL burning.HDTVMan - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
It most certainly can be crappy media from Ritek. Since they changes their media to AZO their media is crap. Look at the inner ring and notice that there is media seperation from poor manufacturing. The sad part is they were great started to sell like mad then went shotty but people still buy them. If you want reliable DL media buy Memorex or even better Verbatim. I will never buy another Ritek disc after a near 100 pack nightmare. One disc even seperated completely down the middle. Sad Pure Sad.sprockkets - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
The NEC model 3540 says on newegg it can do 8x DL. They list the older 3520A model for $38.No error graph for the 2.4x DL on reads for the NEC drive?
marcuri - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
when the hell are we going to see burners that can do 8x DL? been waiting for one of those for awhile.....