Error Correction Tests

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

- ABEX TCD-721R

Errors total	Num: 1028697
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num: 52916	Avg: -73.7 dB(A)	Max:-24.1 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 3217	Avg: 1.7 Samples	Max: 1140 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Total Test Result	76.2 points (out of 100.0 maximum)

The total error count is quite low, as are the number of loudness and muting errors, while there were no skipped samples. The average loudness level is also low at -73.7 dB (A). The performance is very good and the score of 76.2 indicates this.

- 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 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 1	Avg: 185 Samples	Max: 185 Samples
Total Test Result	83.6 points (out of 100.0 maximum)

This test disc is usually a lot easier for drives to read and as such the final score awarded is much higher than that from the previous test disc. While the score of 83.6 is good, the better drives normally manage a perfect score of 100.

- 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 reading music abilities and reproduce it completely. Five tracks on the disc contain a progressively difficult sequence. These tracks are referred to as Check Level-1 through Check Level-5.

The tracks 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 drive.

Error Level	1	2	3	4	5
Artec VPP-8D24Q	5/5	5/5	5/5	4/5	0/5

Inspite of the fact that the drive didn't manage to play the fifth track, it performed well. Note that the fifth track is very difficult for all but the best of drives to play, while most drives can't even read the fourth track.

- Summary

Test Disc	Reading Speed	Score
ABEX TCD-721R	Max	76.2
ABEX TCD-726		83.6
Average Score		79.9

The average score for the Artec drive with the Abex test discs is 79.9 points. Overall, the performance is good.