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.

16x -R - MCC 03RG20 Write

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.

16x -R - MCC 03RG20 Read

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.

16x -R - MCC 03RG20

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

The Test 16x +R - MCC 004
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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 #3
    I 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.....

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