CD Error Correction Tests

In the following tests we check the drive's behavior when it comes to reading scratched / defective audio discs. The test discs used are the ABEX series from ALMEDIO.

- ABEX TCD-721R

Errors total	Num: 1007637
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num: 49500	Avg: -73.7 dB(A)	Max: -35 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 3102	Avg: 1.8 Samples	Max: 1140 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0.0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Total Test Result	76.3 points (out of 100.0 maximum)

The 721Abex test disc is hard to read accurately for most drives. The average error level is -73.7dB(A) which is an acceptable level and does not lead to audible problems in the output signal, according to EAC author. The peaks were lower than -50dB(A) which means that the odds of a possible problem occurring are fewer.

- ABEX TCD-726

Errors total	Num: 0
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num:4	Avg:-94.0 dB(A)	Max: -87.6 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0.0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 1	Avg: 185.0 Samples	Max: 185 Samples
Total Test Result	83.6 points (out of 100.0 maximum)

The Abex TCD-726 is a much easier disc for drives to read. In this case, the CyberDrive managed to read the disc without reporting any problems, while only one sample was skipped. The total score for the drive is 83.6 out of 100, which is a very good score.

- CD-Check Audio Test Disc

The CD-Check Test Disc is a very useful tool for evaluating the Sound Reproduction / Error correction capabilities of a CD player. The disc offers a signal combination with disc error patterns to rate the drive's abilities to read music and reproduce it completely. Five tracks on the disc contain a sequence of progressively difficult tests. These tracks are referred as Check Level-1 through Check Level-5.

The files are reproduced (played) through a software multimedia player (i.e. Windows Media Player). Each level is considered as passed, if the tone coming out from the speakers is smooth, continuous without interruptions, skipping or looping. The higher the Check Level passed, the more reliable the sound reproduction of the tested device.

Error Level	1	2	3	4	5
CyberDrive DX082D	5/5	5/5	5/5	5/5	1/5

The drive passed the first 4 of 5 Check Levels for this test. The performance of the DX082D was very good revealing high sound reproduction and error correction/concealment capabilities. Note that the fifth level includes an error size of 1.500mm which is unreadable by most drives.

- Summary

Test Disc	Reading Speed	Score
ABEX TCD-721R	Max	76.3
ABEX TCD-726		83.6
Average Score		79.95

Combining the two scores from the 721R and 726 Abex tests, the CyberDrive achieves an average score of 73.4 out of 100, an acceptable score and above average.