16x -R - MCC 03RG20
For our first test, we used Verbatim 16x DVD-R media to test the high speed -R write capabilities of each drive.
The GSA-4163B takes the lead as it writes a full disc in 316 seconds. Our winner from the last roundup, NEC, comes in at second place with its ND-3540A, writing the disc at 355 seconds. And last place goes to Toshiba's SD-R5372 as it writes a full 16x DVD-R disc in 447 seconds.
As far as reading back the created data discs on each drive, BenQ's DW1640 reads back its disc the fastest, in 297 seconds, with the ND-3540A following closely behind at 300 seconds. The rest performed the task at above the 7min mark and the SD-R5372 couldn't even read back its disc.
It's not surprising that the SD-R5372 couldn't read its disc. It had 545,904 PI errors spread out across the disc. What is surprising is that the ND-3540A came in at the second fastest when reading back its disc while it had the second highest number of PI errors - 386,858 to be exact.
We have created ZIP files of the screenshots that we have taken of the Nero CD-DVD Speed and PlexTools benchmarks. Feel free to click on the links below to download them.
BenQ DW1640
LG GSA-4163B
NEC ND-3540A
Pioneer DVR-109D
Sony DRU-720A
Toshiba SD-R5372
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IceWindius - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Wheres the damn Plextor 716A in the review???? Thats like blasphemy!PuravSanghani - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
For those of you wondering why we did not include the Plextor PX-716 drive, we simply could not get a unit in time. We do hope to include a Plextor unit in the next roundup.Purav
DrZoidberg - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Just imagine if these drives tried to burn generic media. The PI errors would be in the millions and half the drives cannot read the discs then.Anyway burning 8x dvd is like 8 mins now so its fairly quick, just watch tv drink a beer and your done. Prefer a few more mins and half the number of PI errors anyway
USAF1 - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
I agree with the lynch mob above that the drives should be tested with a wider variety of media before crowning a winner. Also, the thing that I found most disturbing about the review is that it contradicts the recommendation made in the July 2005 storage guide from two days ago. I suppose the 1640 isn't yet available in the US and thus wasn't an option in the storage guide or maybe Anandtech hadn't yet received the 1640 to test. However, if I'd listened to the quote below from the storage guide and went ahead and bought an NEC 3540, I'd certainly be upset to see it perform poorly relative to a competing drive two days later. I guess that's the price you pay to be on the cutting edge..."It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the best DVD burner these days; NEC's 3540A"
USAF1 - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
timmiser - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
I would like to have seen tests of how well a burned DVD would work in a DVD player? I regularly produce DVD's and to mass burning processes but reliability in set top DVD player is my highest priority.-Tim
RMSe17 - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
How come Plextor 716 wasn't part of the reviewed drives? Isn't it supposed to be one of the best?LoneWolf15 - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
#20, I hope your reply was a joke, seeing as that's what Princo media generally is --a joke. It's cheap crap, and a major rule of DVD burning is that if you use crap media, you'll get crap results.PuravSanghani - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
We do miss Plextor drives and will definitely include the new 16x unit in our next roundup. We have been using PlexTools for a while now and the only drive that will work with the software is a Plextor drive. Maybe its time we update our Plextor unit though :).As far as media testing goes, we chose MCC/MKM and Ritek media because of their track record with us. However, nothing is set in stone and we would be happy to hear any suggestions for future reviews.
Thanks,
Purav
Dennis Travis - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
I loved the review. Only thing I would like to eventually see is the latest Plextor 16X drive tested so I can compair it to the other new drives.