DVD Read Tests

In our DVD reads tests, we 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 without getting too technical before we begin.

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.

Considering the importance of the DVD+R9 DL media tests, I decided to included the read/write tests in its own section which you'll find in this review article.

1. CD-DVD Speed - Single Layer DVD

The results of our single layer read tests were very impressive.  We had no problems reaching its rated speed of 12x.  These results were very consistent as I tried three different single layer DVD's.  The above screen shot is from the largest of the three tested.  Now what is interesting here as well is that the seek times where actually lower than those seen in our CD read tests. 

2. CD-DVD Speed - Dual Layer PTP DVD

Now the dual layer read tests is where you'll really notice some changes in the read performance of any DVD writer.  However, I would like to add that the overall results were actually not bad at all and were significantly better than our Optorite DD0203.  The transfer speed peaked in at 7.12X and the CPU usage test at 8X did fail.

3. CD-DVD Speed - Dual Layer OTP DVD

The transfer rates on the OTP disc were higher.  It peaked in at 8.30x, however, it failed the CPU usage tests at both 4X and 8X.   I found this a bit odd so I ran the test several times with different media but still came out with the same results.

4. CD-DVD Speed - DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW

For these tests, I gathered up as much media as I could get my hands on and measured its maximum read speed using Nero CD-DVD Speed.  The results are shown on the chart below.

The results here are rather interesting.  I was expecting lower transfer rates from the DVDRW discs, but the DVD+RW actually had the highest.  The particular brand we used to achieve this was a Memorex brand DVD+RW 4X disc, which is actually the best DVDRW disc for this particular drive.  Overall, we had an average maximum transfer rate of 8X.  Not bad at all.

Next: CD Write Tests