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 |
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
54 Comments
View All Comments
sprockkets - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
In a way yes, 23#, where are the pics of the drives and the insides if you like that stuff like the last review? Just a media test?If you like verbatim that is Mitsubishi Chemicals. An 8x dvd+r disc from Memorex came up as MBIPG101/R04.
valnar - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Compared to the quality reviews CDRInfo.com and CDFreaks.com puts out, this review was next to worthless.vaystrem - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
You're using PlexTools - why no comparison to Plextor DVD burners?semo - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
#17, from what i read, the dw1640 is not yet available in the us (just barely made it to the uk recently). if you really want one you can get the plextor 740. it's a 1640 with a plextor badge (hence the higher price).nserra - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
What no PRINCO media, useless review!yacoub - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
And yeah, FWIW, I only buy Memorex or Sony media, and I usually burn at one or two speed notches below the max listed for the drive.yacoub - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Welcome to rock-bottom competition where items are cheap and completely worth what you pay for them - ie 'not much'. What a pile of crap.Also would have liked acoustic tests of the drives - are any of them louder when reading different media? Some drives can be very loud when reading a DVD-ROM and that's bad if you want to play a movie on your PC.
danidentity - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
Is the DW1640 even available for sale yet in the U.S.?xsilver - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
isnt the errors going to be much lower on a new drive but burning at lower speeds -- I dont think buying an old gen drive is a good ideaBozo Galora - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - link
I agree - no Tayo Yuden - review is useless.I dont need 16X media - I use made in Japan 8X +R Fujifilm TY002 and burn at 16X reliably with Pioneer 108-109 and Plextor 716A.
8X Fujifilm -R MIJ TYG02 always burns at 12X
Anyone buying cheap crap Taiwan media deserves what he gets.