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DVD Read Tests
As I do in all our DVD read tests, I will be
testing both single layer and dual layer DVD's. For the dual layer tests, we
will look at both PTP and OTP disks. For those who are unfamiliar with these
methods, I will briefly try to describe them each of them as I do with every
review.
Dual layer discs are more than 4.38GB in size. There are two ways in which
they write these discs. One is PTP, which stands for parallel track path, and
the other is OTP which stands for opposite track path. In PTP discs, both
layers read from the inside of the disc to the outside while OTP discs read
from the inside to out and then back in for the inner layer. This allows the
drive to read both layers almost continuously, with only a short pause to
refocus the pickup lens. This is particularly useful for movies, where long
play time without interruption is required.
Again, I will be comparing results against the
older 4120B and 4160B.
1. CD-DVD Speed - Single Layer DVD
What I particularly like about the LG drives, is
the fact that they do not have such an excessive rip lock. Maximum
transfer rates of 8x are easily achieved. This makes these drives decent
DVD rippers, as we will show you a bit later.
Seek times were low, but the 4160B showed the
lowest seek times with single layer DVD discs.
CPU usage was low and about what I expected.
However, once again, the LG GSA-4160B showed the lowest usage.
2. CD-DVD Speed - Dual Layer PTP DVD
The LG 4100 series drives handle dual layer
DVD's quite well, especially when compared to both the NEC ND-3500A and
Pioneer DVR-108. Maximum transfer rates achieved with PTP discs was
slightly under 8x with the 4163B.
While the seek times with the new 4163B were
higher than the other two models, they are still quite low, especially when
compared to other drives.
CPU usage with PTP discs were low, but the 4160B
once again shows the lowest usage.
3. CD-DVD Speed - Dual Layer OTP DVD
Again, the GSA-4163B has no problem hitting 8x
transfer rates with OTP discs.
Seek times remained low, but there is still no
improvement over previous models.
The 4163B failed the 4x and 8x usage tests and
the 4160B once again shows the lowest CPU Usage.
Overall, while the results here are quite good,
we see no improvements over previous models. However, the differences
are quite minimal.
4. CD-DVD Speed - DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW
With recordable media, I like to gather up a
variety of discs and test its maximum transfer rates with each supported
format. The chart below shows the results and comparison against the
4120B and 4160B.
Like the previous models, the GSA-4163B handles
recordable DVD media quite well, hitting max transfer speeds of 10x with both
DVD+R and DVD-R discs.
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