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DVD
Read Tests
As
always, I test both single and dual layer DVDs in these tests. 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 describe the difference
without getting too technical...
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.
1. CD-DVD Speed - Single Layer DVD
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Test
Results |
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Transfer Speed
Average: 12.14x
Start: 6.73x
End: 16.24x |
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Seek Times
Random: 97ms
1/3: 113ms
Full: 189ms |
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CPU Usage
1X: 10%
2X: 7%
4X: 11%
8X: 19% |
Like the SH-S182M, this drive handled DVD
single layer discs very well. It had no problem hitting 16x read
speeds and unlike the results of our CD read tests, the seek times were much
lower and almost identical to their previous model. Also, take a look
at the CPU Usage numbers. They were remarkably low, and certainly the
lowest I've come across with any DVD writer.
2. CD-DVD Speed - Dual Layer PTP DVD
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Test
Results |
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Transfer Speed
Average: 5.86x
Start: 3.57x
End: 7.24x |
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Seek Times
Random: 105ms
1/3: 117ms
Full: 174ms |
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CPU Usage
1X: 6%
2X: 7%
4X: 13%
8X: 83% |
With the more rare PTP discs, the read rates
were identical to that of the SH-S182M, hitting a maximum read rate of 8x.
Certainly not the fastest, but not the slowest either. Seek times were
acceptable but again, what impressed was the super low CPU Usage.
3. CD-DVD Speed - Dual Layer OTP DVD
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Test
Results |
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Transfer Speed
Average: 6.46x
Start: 3.56x
End: 8.49x |
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Seek Times
Random: 113ms
1/3: 120ms
Full: 198ms |
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CPU Usage
1X: 5%
2X: 6%
4X: 12%
8X: N/A |
With the more common PTP discs, the transfer
speed was once again identical to the SH-S182M. The seek times though
were higher in comparison. Again, the CPU Usage was substantially lower.
4. CD-DVD Speed - DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R,
DVD+RW
The transfer rates with recordable DVD media
were pretty much identical to their previous model as well. Basically, you're
looking at 12x read speeds with recordable media and just over 8x read
speeds with rewritable discs. I would like to add that the CPU Usage
on all these formats remained super low as well and were significantly
better in comparison to their previous model.
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