In the following tests, we examine the DVD reading capabilities of the LiteOn SOHW-1693S drive with scratched / defective DVD media. For the tests we used CDVD Benchmark and Nero CDSpeed. The reference test media comes from ALMEDIO.

- Single Layer media

ABEX TDR-821

This is a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM with 4.7GB capacity, and its surface has an artificial scratch of dimensions varying from 0.4 to 3.0 mm. The following transfer rate picture comes from the CDVD Benchmark v1.21 transfer rate test.

The SOHW-1693S managed to read this defective disc, producing an almost perfect graph, passing smoothly over the defective area and finishing the test without any errors or drops in speed, even towards the completion of the test where the speed reached 16X.

ABEX TDR-825

This is also a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM of 4.7GB capacity. The data structure of the disc is exactly the same as that of the TDR-821, with the difference that there are no scratches on it but instead, defective areas of dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 mm. There are also fingerprints sized between 65 and 75 micrometers.

In this case we have a good graph, with the exception of the drop in speed at the start of the fingerprints area. There were also a few problems over the last part of the fingerprints area but nothing major. Other than that, the test ended successfully without errors.

- Dual Layer media

ABEX TDR-841

This is an 8.5GB dual layer, single sided DVD-ROM disc with artificial scratches of dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 3.0mm, on both layers.

Great performance here, as the graph shows. Without any errors, the drive managed to successfully read all the defective areas on both layers.

ABEX TDR-845

This test disc is a single sided, dual layer DVD-ROM disc with a capacity of 8.5GB. The only difference between the TDR-845 and the TDR-841 discs is that the first includes defective areas and fingerprints. The dimensions of the defective areas ranges from 0.5 to 1.1 mm and the fingerprints are sized from 65 to 75 micrometers.

Again a very good graph indicating very good error correction capacities for the LiteOn 1693S drive. Again we have the slight drops in speed in both layers, just at the start of the fingerprints area.

ABEX TDV-541

The TDV-541 is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc, with a capacity of 8.5GB. The disc is based on the TDV-540 series which is designed for inspection and adjustment of DVD-VIDEO players. The disc checks the layer switch operation from layer 0 to layer 1 and also includes test pictures and test signals for DVD sound files. The current TDV-541 also checks the error correcting capabilities of the drive and includes scratches from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.

With a slight drop in speed just before and just after the layer change, the SOHW-1693S managed to read almost perfectly this test disc.

ABEX TDV-545

The TDV-545 disc is based on the TDV-540 series. It is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc with a capacity of 8.5GB. The TDV-545 includes artificial black dots on the data surface, sized from 0.4 to 1.0 mm. It also has 65 - 75 micrometer fingerprints.

Excellent performance.

- Conclusion

All the above tests, indicate a good error correction mechanism for the DVD error correction capabilities of the drive. Now let's move on to the protected games ripping and the rest of the review...