 The BATTLE BURNERS
DUAL LAYER MEDIA TESTS
Page 1 Since I started tests I obtained 16X speed Dual Layer DVD writers so I am adding review drives I am initially testing PIONEER DVR-108 NEC ND-3500AG BENQ DD DW1620 LITEON SOHW1633S TEAC DV-W516G & MEMOREX DVD+/-DLRWL1 F16 With tests I a DVD Video title just under maximum size a dual layer disc titles burnt 2.4x speed Copy2DVD. media I initial test RITEKD01 2.4x D/L media 3 separate sources
| UNBRANDED SILVER RITEKD01 2.4 x speed DVD+R D/L media | | DATASAFE RITEKD01 2.4 x speed DVD+R D/L media | | RiDisc RITEKD01 2.4 x speed DVD+R D/L media | 08 02 00 00 01 0F 32 10 00 03 00 00 00 FC FF CF ......2.........
00 22 B9 5F 00 00 00 52 49 54 45 4B 00 00 00 44 ."._...RITEK...D
30 31 01 40 25 25 37 00 00 28 64 00 28 64 19 1B 01.@%%7..(D.(D..
0B 0B 0E 0F 01 00 00 00 00 19 1B 0B 0B 0E 0F 01 ................ |
Before I show burn quality I show how fast drives can read media
tests I burnt title in drive then read disc in drive had burnt in
Pioneer 108 f/w 1.14
The Pioneer commences reading 5x reaching a peak 8.25 times layer change reading point came up errors readings second layer cannot relied upon. I did a repeated burn media results similar so I assume media unsuitable burning Pioneer DVR-108 current latest firmware 1.14 NEC ND3500 f/w 208
The NEC starts reading just under 2x peaking 4x layer change then dropping down just under 2x finish. graph almost a mirror before & layer change changeover smooth without hesitation. a good burn playback should OK. slow reading speed only drawback drive in my opinion a disadvantage because I always attempt read my media a suitable DVD-ROM drive. original firmware 2.16 I was unable produce a satisfactory burn was until I applied firmware 208 I was able produce a usable disc BENQ DD DW1620 f/w B7H9
The BENQ drive very slow reading disc starting just over 2x peaking just over 3x a slight dip around layer change point finishing just over 2x. dip around switch point something I expected fact minor I consider a problem. far reading Dual Layer media far slowest drives tested so far.The firmware drive B7H9 original firmware drive LITEON SOHW1633S f/w BS0H
This updated Liteon firmware shows a nice smooth graph a rounded peak noticeable glitch layer change. graph appearance a good burn. looks Liteon excelled themselves firmware upgrade Check out original graph before firmware upgrade TEAC DV-W516G B4S2
Up date I able succesfully burn any Dual Layer media drive I suspect a firmware problem I am expecting a reply Teac regarding this. MEMOREX DVD+/-DLRWL1 F16 f/w BWSE
The Memorex gave quite a smooth curve starting just under 3x peaking 5x layer change dropping down just under 3x finish. layer switch smooth dip looks my best burns so far. NOTE Memorex Teac & Liteon basically drive (Liteon SOHW1633S) own specific firmware performances should similar particular drive a suitable similar firmware. Wherever possible I latest firmware available drives I receive up date improved firmware I apply update my results Each graphs represents media burnt in drive then a speed read test done in drive showing quality read reading speed disc can see Pioneer far fastest reading quality burn media leaves a lot desired. My future speed test Dual Layer media carried out in Pioneer drive because faster reading ability. How read speeds compare DRIVEStart PeakEndAvgTime Pioneer 108 | 5x | 8x | 3x | 5.22 | 00:52:48 | NEC ND-3500| 1.8x | 4x | 1.8x | 3.03 | 01:06:05 | BENQ DD DW1620| 2.2 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 2.85 | 01:08:23 | LITEON SOHW1633S| 2.8 | 5 | 3.18 | 4.12 | 00:48:09 | MEMOREX DVD+/-DLRWL1 F16| 2.74 | 5 | 2.74 | 4.05 | 00:49:03 |
The Pioneer fastest drive starting 5x peaking 8x faulters reading own media second layer resulting in a longer reading time Memorex a much smoother read curve. So in tests I rate Memorex best DUAL LAYER MEDIA TESTS
Page 2 BURN QUALITY
Since I started tests I obtained 16X speed Dual Layer DVD writers so I am adding review drives I am initially testing PIONEER DVR-108 NEC ND-3500AG BENQ DD DW1620 LITEON SOHW1633S TEAC DV-W516G & MEMOREX DVD+/-DLRWL1 F16
tests I a DVD Video title just under maximum size a dual layer disc titles burnt 2.4x speed Copy2DVD. media I initial test RITEKD01 2.4x D/L media 3 separate sources
| UNBRANDED SILVER RITEKD01 2.4 x speed DVD+R D/L media | | DATASAFE RITEKD01 2.4 x speed DVD+R D/L media | | RiDisc RITEKD01 2.4 x speed DVD+R D/L media | 08 02 00 00 01 0F 32 10 00 03 00 00 00 FC FF CF ......2.........
00 22 B9 5F 00 00 00 52 49 54 45 4B 00 00 00 44 ."._...RITEK...D
30 31 01 40 25 25 37 00 00 28 64 00 28 64 19 1B 01.@%%7..(D.(D..
0B 0B 0E 0F 01 00 00 00 00 19 1B 0B 0B 0E 0F 01 ................ |
tests I burnt title in drive then tested burn quality Teac drive PI/PO error testing Pioneer DVR-108 read speed testing. Due inability read media NU & Toshiba drives. I was unable use a comparison single layer testing
Pioneer 108 f/w 1.14
The PI graphs low up until layer change where there a sharp rise in PIE & PIF errors point increase remains remainder disc. speed graph too erratic layer change cannot reflect quality media erratic display caused a read error layer switch point causing servo go haywire give false readings
Playback disc
XStar Player
The Film started played back fine up 5 minutes before layer change when begun stick & stutter until reached layer change stuck & jumped 5 seconds when playback became OK.
DK Digital Player
Playback throughout disk was perfect 1-2 second pause & jump layer switch
Playback disc generally good Speed graph ignored layer change because I am sure drive was upset errors switch became unstable. NEC ND3500 f/w 208
The error charts quite low a decrease in PIE & increase in PIF layer switch. chart shows a very good burn. speed graph good shows a smooth transition layer change.
Playback
XStar
Playback good up 30mins before layer change when stutters badly up layer switch playback resumes perfectly
DK Digital
Playback faultless 1-2sec pause switch BENQ DD DW1620 f/w B7H9
The PIE chart shows an increase in errors switch rising just over 40 still a low acceptable reading. speed chart shows a smooth curve glitches transition
Playback
XStar
Playback OK up 5 mins before transition when sticks & stutters transition sticks & jumps 30 seconds
DK Digital
No problems playback here usual 1-2 sec glitch layer switch
LITEON SOHW1633S f/w BS0H
new firmware PIE chart almost flat except minor hump layer switch read speed chart good gets Check out charts before upgrade PIE/PIF & Speed
XStar
Playback OK up 5 mins before switch when stuttering occurs layer switch skipped 10 seconds
DK Digital
problems here TEAC DV-W516G B4S2
Up date I able succesfully burn any Dual Layer media drive I suspect a firmware problem I am expecting a reply Teac regarding this.MEMOREX DVD+/-DLRWL1 F16 f/w BWSE
The PIE graph here shows an increase in errors first layer surprisingly error rate dramatically reduced second layer burn transition layers smooth. speed graph smooth glitch layer change timing up best rest.
Playback
XStar
Playback fine up 10 mins before layer change where sticks jumps until layer change when carries faultless end.
DK Digital
No problems in playback
All discs produced here played back in my DK Digital player performance was good I can expect paused jumped 1-2 seconds layer switch I am informed part D/L standard. None discs played in XStar without problems around layer switch results varied even disc.
media NEC Memorex & Benq my vote difficult choose I expect different results a different brand media hope carry out testing them. bearing in mind cost nearly £5 a disc media I need a generous supplier send me some.
I expect tests there firmware upgraded various drives I repeat tests new firmware update pages accordingly. | 
PIE error rate smooth only a steady increase towards outer edge PIF shows a sharp increase edge disc indicating there may a problem in area. 75% my error graphs show a similar pattern 4gig point up point I could wish a better one. 
fair I shown a selection graphs show extremities range quality shows
1 A perfect burn.
2 A burn faltering towards outer edge
3 A burn failed read outer edge
I printed various labels discs my Epson R300 printer printing was nice clear onto matt white surface. 
The Datawrite Grey 8x 'Fujis' Flash's review 
& kprobe scans 
(disregard spikes in PI chart in media a kprobe fault) There a couple bad high peaks in PO levels PI should exceed 280 & PO should exceed 32 may disregard single high peaks. So disks pass ECMA 338 Standard DVD-R disks pass true test flying colours... play faultlessly my very picky playstation 2 only other disks Ritek GO4 Verbatim.
Conclusion Good value money current prices don't care too much PO readings. I use disks:- results compared Datasafe Ritek GO4 8x very similar significantly cheaper then I use £1 difference in a tub 25 I'm gonna stick my tried tested GO4 bomber456 Got discs morning again nicely packaged. I my duplicator creat disc I only a 106 in PC 107s in duplicators. disc took a bit longer should 8x was fly so didn't matter. disc itself looks a 2x version I got b4 I quite liked them. First Disc (Burned 8x) burning movie i tested in my yamada dvd player dvdslim 5520 my xbox. worked perfect good chapter skipping. jumping nethink towards end film. graph i got when i Nero in my PC a smooth curve great jumping up down. Conclusion Very Happy Meg
Hardware used: AMD 2700+ Pioneer 107 1.13 Software used: Nero 6.0.0.16 The Disk Itself I say a pretty grim grey colour. Pretty clean though nice sized lines writing although attractive. First Impressions disk reminds me whiska's cat food advert colour no-name brand cat food yuck Still disk very nice write dye a cool blue. First fuji dye me. Disk code 00000000 00 6C 00 00 01 40 C1 FD 9E D8 52 00 02 88 0D 0C .l...@....R..... 00000010 88 88 90 00 03 46 55 4A 49 46 49 00 04 4C 4D 30 .....FUJIFI..LM0 00000020 33 00 00 00 05 B8 83 00 30 00 01 00 06 09 0F 10 3.......0....... 00000030 88 78 90 00 07 29 82 10 21 00 00 00 08 05 17 0D .x...)..!....... 00000040 0F 07 07 00 09 96 06 0D 0B 78 88 00 0A 80 00 00 .........x...... 00000050 00 00 10 00 0B 05 1A 17 96 77 75 00 0C 7C DF B9 .........wu..|.. 00000060 93 11 11 00 0D 1A AA D0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ Disk result Burn time Disk 1: 13 minutes 12 seconds (WTF ) Burn time Disk 2: 8 minutes 31 seconds Burn time Disk 3: 8 minutes 21 seconds I burnt image twice 2 disks supplied a difference I don't know went wrong first disk scans absolutely terrible 4 major dips disk I put down a bad one batch. 2nd third disk performed brilliantly expected graphs (sorry still problems web space host) pretty spot on. waived a tiny bit end performed specification. I binned first disk a bad job other 2 I tested 3 drives in total. skipped chapters smoothly although spin up time was a few seconds longer usual. I don't know usual an 8x disk. Playback was beautiful only a minor jitter halfway disk a quarter a second. Conclusion> was my first real go a good 8x disk honest it's mixed blessings. I take other results I had a hiccup my first disk hence why I a third disk my own collection. testing I bought 50 disks I burnt 40 successfully issues. Definitely a winner datawrite going strength strength LoneGun
First impressions looked a great disc a very dark-pruple/blue underside. Writer used: Pioneer 107 f/w nils 1.10 stomp record now max I burnt discs full DVD5 movies. taking approx 9:50 per disc I was quite impressed time saved over doing 6x my normal preferred burning speed. PLaybeck testing in ps2/xbox ronin dvd player problems skipping blockiness. Speed Tested DVDinfo Pro got very nice graphs comparable better when reading back riteks. Conclusion top side disc old 2x datawrites in a light grey colour very nice looking disc great results. I'll definately getting a few cake tubs give testing price currently a bargain. seedys50 Package arrived morning - nicely packed in a plastic twin jewel case. Discs nice clean arrival still in one piece. (A good sign a decent jewel case a strong hub catch doesnt eject disc in transit.) discs classic layout logo a decent sized space bottom actually write title details (datasafe take note!). Batch number underside (always handy check getting bad burns) Writer used: Pioneer 107 1.10 firmware (only 3 weeks old) never burnt an 8 speed disc. Software used: Stomp record now max 4.50 Burnt discs full 8 speed images stored hard drive. images full dvd images (to test outer edge). burns went very smoothly hickups burn process producing two 100% successful dvd-r's Now testing: PS2 (one first available in UK years ago original laser). discs booted up skipped chapters effortlessly. Playing right end chapter end credits without any pauses/skips blocks - nice work
PC - tested in pioneer 107 Sony DDU1612 rom - problems all. Read back image sony drive. 100% readback without any errors. DANSAI 1010 - Had dvd player a couple years now very picky media plays. Ive tried a couple datasafe G04 discs written 6x breaks up 20-30 mins. Again disc played flawlessly clean chapter breaks smooth playback right end credits. YAMADA - plays anything without fail did. PACIFIC 1002W - again flawless playback. Conclusion sum up i was very impressed. I nice looking disc excellent playback. RITEK - better pull finger out FUJI out steal market. Personally i problem buying in future. I ordering beauties in my next order. price - an absolute steal £44/100 alpashm I got discs in a nice cover i notice discs look exactly the datawrite classic x4 even dye colour deep G04 the Bulqpak printable dye. Im a pioneer 107 hacked firmware i am burning diffrent IDE channels so datatransfer an issue. I burnt disc rim nero 6 ultra dvd mode burned flawlessly without error. graph shows a VERY smooth line i was burning 6x good news anyone purchasing discs only small ditch start available writter stops buring just before 700mb then speeds up dont know why does other line very smooth. datasafe g04s week in kind speeds leave a ditch end. 
disc played back my PS2 unchipped flawlussy i skipped credits thinking jurking i was wrong was smooth hell. I also tried my Toshiba 330e was flawless there too im still worried fact disc looks exactly the classic datasafe 4x discs want know anyone burned 8x post read image could simular other a great disc acts being burned 6x. Conclusion speed important then discs great. ill sticking my G04's now discs still remind me dye Bulkpaq printable a disc i use burn something important something my self. Paulleahey Hardware used: AMD AthlonXP 2400+ 512mb Ram 60Gb hard drive Pioneer DVR-107D DVD-Rewriter f/w 1.13 Software used Stomp RecordNow Max v4.50 Nero v6.3.0.6 Disc Info Manufacturer : FUJIFILM03 Disc Type : DVD-R Usage : General Recording Speed : 1 X - 8 X Discs light-grey top Datawrite logo top 4 lines worth space write bottom. Dye underneath a very dark purple. Burnt discs @ x8 speed. 1st disc was a PS2 backup 2.4Gb took 5mins 54secs burn - tried disc 2 modded PS2's problems whatsoever 1 PS2's especially picky only likes Riteks so a + there Disc was very quick load very quiet unlike other discs spin forever noise terrible
2nd disc was a movie backup 4.26Gb took just over 9mins burn - tried disc PS2's Pioneer 747A DVD player Pioneer DVR3100 DVD Recorder Pioneer DVR107 burner - players played disc perfectly - PS2's I was especially pleased movie usually go "blocky" a especially towards end. chapter skipping menus languages subtitles etc perfect access was very quick. Conclusion Compared my usual Datasafe Ritek G04's I say disc compared favourably IMHO. I definitely investing in these. Loopie 2 well packaged discs arrived morning grey disc tops similar older datawrite classic x1/2 a much darker purple dye disc surface clean I did notice a small patch spots under light 1 disc though I also noticed G04 type discs without problem. My NEC 2500 firmware v1.06 instantly accepted discs defaulted x8 under NERO 5.5.10.56 (first time ever!) I did 2 HDD burns X8 errors reported taking around 9.5 mins (fastest time ever) a full DVD worth. discs tested an Alba 45 & Pioneer 444 stand alone players perfect results
Conclusion I am very happy discs consider a replacement G04 I right price (have now seen under 50p ) I Ritek I very worried a fast quality dye hit market right price level. Lets hope quality does change poor Ritek Princo b grade discs now flooding market. brk Hardware XP Pro NEC2500A firmware v1.06 (Borrowed test) Software Alcohol 120% Readers Pioneer 106 Samsung SD 616 Q Panasonic S75 Paciffic 1002 Xbox (x-bit chip) PS2 (V3 neo4 chip) PS2 (V5 messiah) Borrowed brother in laws burner test long swapped my 104 a 106 so burn time only 15 mins now so can't justify yet another burner just quite yet save 6 mins extra in time .Burnt 1 film 1 PS2 game time always keen try new Dyes my old V3 fussy PS2 .Burnt full 4.37 Gb image disks test right near brim .Used Alcohol 120% image then reburn disks in results performance rather how disk was produced .Both disks finished in approx 10 mins without any hiccups . film plays faultlessly in above players except Samsung DVD Rom drive .It plays fine reading wise something a mystery (see graphs later) Ps2 disk works fine in PS2's without any dodgy graphics sound even in my old V3 .Even film was faultless in old V3 fast chapter search forwards bacwards extras etc etc so disk seem very high quality unsightly marks/blemishes before burn . where my post gets strange results. Speed graphs (can't get one PS2 game -comes up command sense error in Nero/dvdspeed) Nec my 4x pioneer 106 near perfect except a slight dip 4.2 GB nothing worry .Sorry my Samsung hasn't got speed hacked f/w so fast speed graphs others take a look (sorry so just prove a point) 
83 % 4x cpu.Checked disk marks/finger prints nothing (Drive lens cleaned recently so problem there .Try again 
83% 4x again .It really seems making my system struggle in drive .As I said earlier speed graphs near perfect in NEC my Pioneer .Just a little proof here a Datawrite Red V2 tested in middle two previous tests . 
Slight difference agree even much hated Red V2 .No ridiculous 83% 4x CPU .Lots similar disks also show up O.K in drive. Wish I could get PS2 games speed graph in Nero just check . Conclusion Disks work great in areas: speed,quality performance. So generally a good solid disk. I may had one dodgy disk maybe my DVD Rom just doesn't them. stick my Ritek collection now (got a small stock) definetly consider price right HoBgObLiN Received 2 well packaged discs so did 2 slightly different tests - on-the-fly RecordNow Max 4.5 files my HD Nero 6.3.1.6. First impressions good dye a nice deep colour top typical datawrite - clear tidy. My system specs tests: XP2100 Pioneer 107 1.09 (firmware untouched) S/W above. copy fly took a little longer expected I'm too worried. I was pleased burning HD filled right edge 4.37 gigs 2nd test took 8m22s in graphs come back nice smooth a pleasant surprise a true 8x disc in price range. played back perfectly (smooth chapter skips played right end) my pacifics (but thats too much a test - lol) so I shall try picky players update results. Checked special features see playback outer edge - smooth silk jitters. Conclusion I can't fault initial tests good Ritek dye discs only time tell - see can still read in 2 years time
Worked flawlessly in my other halfs fussy sony so seems a very compatible disc
Excellent price point was mentioned earlier: Fuji seem Riteks crown
davem Received my discs yesterday morning packaged beautifully (like snazzy new double boxes!). First impression visually a very smart disc reminiscent old Grey Datawrite classic. Love uncluttered design plenty room write look just a little classier other well reviewed Yellow Ritek Datawrite disc thanks less garish colouring. I wrote my discs NEC ND2500a latest hacked herrie firmware (1.07 Bitsetting Beta4) fairly full movies burned in 9 minutes 33 seconds very little shading difference in dye jump 4x/6x/8x. second disc I wrote had a couple circular scratches I presume down being handled packed posted hope it's representative general stock. had a problem reading back in my 2500 so I read back in my 1300 (should really get myself IDE in system so I can put a decent reader in there!). Anyway here goes... First Disc General Information Operating System Windows XP Professional Drive _NEC DVD_RW ND-2500A Firmware Version 1.07 Disc DVD-R Capacity 4.30 GB 
Log [23:26:31] Starting Transfer Rate Test [23:35:42] Error - SEEK COMPLETE (030200) [23:36:36] Starting Transfer Rate Test [23:41:37] Error - SEEK COMPLETE (030200) [23:42:30] Starting Transfer Rate Test [23:58:46] 16:15 Speed:2-5 X P-CAV (3.71 X average) [23:58:46] Starting Seek Times Test [23:58:58] Random Seek: 123 ms [23:59:11] 1/3 Seek: 126 ms [23:59:29] 0:43 Full Seek: 182 ms [23:59:29] Starting CPU Usage Test [23:59:44] CPU usage 1X: 8 % [00:00:00] CPU usage 2X: 14 % [00:00:15] CPU usage 4X: 29 % [00:00:40] 1:11 CPU usage 8X: n/a [00:00:40] Starting Burst Rate Test [00:00:43] 0:02 Interface burst rate: 22 MB/sec (22310 KB/sec) [00:00:43] Starting Spin-Up/Down Test [00:00:43] Spin-up time: 0.07 seconds [00:00:54] 0:12 Spin-down time: 0.73 seconds [00:00:54] Starting Load/Eject Test [00:00:58] Eject time: 1.73 seconds [00:01:19] Load time: 20.78 seconds [00:01:19] 0:25 Recognition time: 0.01 seconds Hopefully drop seen here due surface scratches disc. discs played back perfectly Pacific Scan Daewoo a korean cd+g capable player I can't remember of. Also played back well XBOX. Conclusion I'll certainly trying a pack two along my next batch G04's see how cope over discs. Very impressed so far. laurdon I two machines equiped 8x writers Machine 1 P4 2.0Ghz 512Mb ddr ram Windows XP Pro 200Gb Hard drive (120+80) Sony DVD ROM DDU1621 Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-107D Nero 63110 I copied Braveheart (4.36Gb) fly seemed though Sony could keep up Pioneer writing 8X. took 13:10 complete write. a 4x Ritek read buffer was 0% whole write. buffer level was also fluctuating 90% down 30% back up. actual disc worked fine in PS2 Mirror Toshiba pc's could get stick quick movements along slider in powerDVD. Machine 2 P4 2.8Ghz 512Mb DDR Ram Windows XP Pro 240Gb hard drive (2X120) Plextor DVD ROM PX-116A Plextor DVDR PX-708A Nero 5.5.10.56 I again copied Braveheart (4.36Gb) time hard drive worked a lot better finnished write in 9:17 fastest I seen drive. read buffer was 90% 100% whole write. buffer level was Stable 90%. I again checked disc in equipment Machine one similar results.
Conclusion seem work very well issues. I was a great fan 2x datawrite in colour i certainly buy discs. helger10 Recieved mine yesterday afternoon (I wish my dvd rental company was quick posting) Anyway i opened loved case came in. first thing i noticed discs was well....very dull gray top just mite because av recently datawrite yellows. I turned discs over an inspection noticed a very dark deep dye colour there was visible marks whatsoever. Hardware: Celeron 2.6 512MB Ram 80Gb hard drive 7200rpm 16x Speed dvd-Rom Pioneer 107 w/ patched 1.13 firmware Software: Yamada dvd Player Dansai 1010 dvd player Minata Dvd Player PS 2 Version 3 a messiah 2 chip first disc i backup a film. I ripped film DVD decryptor then nero recode shrink i took out extras left menu structure intact. I did sort test dvds capability when randomly accessing different parts disc in player. I then burnt disc Nero 6.3.1.10 8x took just over 8 minutes write 4.3 something gig. slightly longer usual enough complain. I then put disc in yamada noticed disc loaded quick much noise most other decent media.I then skipped chapters snappy quick.I watched last chapter film there was pixelation skipping goin on. I then went back menu started select random chapters film see how performed: performed flawlessly
I tested disc in other two dvd players picky over media (especially Minata) players played disc fine cause worry second disc i decided use backup a PS2 game was 4.2 Gig time i Stomp burn disc 8x.I decided burn a PS2 game my PS2 very very choosy it's media because i think lens it's way out. I put disc in my PS2 my suprise actually booted first time loading time a bit slower an original game drive was a bit noisier nothing ritek discs i using.I played game half an hour everything seemed o.k. I did run discs Nero CD-DVD Speed cannot post results i'm work.But i can say did show a constant line throughout until rite end only smallest fluctuations could even just bin dirt my screen Laughing nothing moan i don't think i've ever had a perfect disc
Conclusion So in i definately recommend discs probably purchasing in near future even look slightl.......Grey!
