CD Error Correction tests

In the following tests we examine the error correction capabilities of CyQ've 2400Plus, with for the CD format.. We use the built-in Nero CD Speed v0.99.3 CD Quality test. The reference test media come from ALMEDIO and Philips corporations.

- ABEX TCD-714R

This test disc has been produced for measuring and adjusting the tracking servo characteristics of the drive, against the eccentricity of compact disc. The fundamental characteristics of this disc other than on eccentricity are compatible with the standards in "Red Booklet".

The test examines the ability to trace eccentricity of the compact disc player. In reference to a zero eccentricity disc, we check the following phenomena:

a. There is skipping of sound tracks
b. Requires excess time to locate or cannot locate the starting point of the tune.
c. Mechanical noise is heard from the CD player
d. Requires excess time to read or cannot read the TOC information
e. The spindle motor runs wild

Physical characteristics of disc:

Eccentricity: 280 micro meters
Deviation: 3 micro meters

Our tests did not show any of the above negative behaviors from the CyQ've 2400Plus. The drive kept a stable reading speed to 8.6X and did not gave any read errors, as it was expected.

- ABEX TCD-721R

This test disc is produced with the objective of measuring and adjusting the CD player's tracking servo characteristics and error correction ability against scratches on the disc. Artificial scratches with lengths from 1.8 mm to 3.0 mm are found on the disc. The phenomenon that may occur during playback of the disc contents are:

a. Noise is created
b. The sound skips
c. The same section is repeatedly played
d. Start of the tune cannot be detected
e. The spindle motor rotates erratically (reverse rotation, change in revolution, e.t.c)

Nero CD Speed showed that the drive gave 4152487 read errors during the reading process. The read errors occurred when the size of the scratch on the disc became large enough, and they kept coming up until the end of the disc. The reading speed was constant to 8.6X from the 6min area till the end. We cannot say that the drive gave very good results in the test, and definitely error correction needs to be improved.

- ABEX TCD-726

This disc is produced for measurement and adjustment of error ability and tracking / focusing servo characteristics of a CD player against defects included in some discs. Three kind of defects, interruption, black dots and fingerprints are prepared in this disc. The interruption defects are sized from 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. The black dots are from 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm. Lastly, the fingerprints are from 65 to 75 micro meters.

The drive started the reading test at 14X and accelerated to 19X until the 16min, where the speed was reduced to 8.6X. Some read errors occurred in the data interrupted areas, and also in the black doted areas of the disc. The total amount of the read errors were 240. The drive managed to pass the fingerprint area with no errors.

- PHILIPS SBC-444A

Another test disc that comes from Philips. The purpose of this disc is adjustment / checking of the CD player. Note that the disc is not within specification concerning local defects. The defects found on the disc are interruptions of the information layer, black dots at out-read area, and simulated fingerprint.

As in the previous test, the read errors were noticed in the interrupted areas, but the local black dots and fingerprints did not make the reading more difficult.