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

- ABEX TCD-721R

Errors total	Num: 1235229
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num: 59315	Avg: -72.1 dB(A)	Max: -6.8 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 59315	Avg: 1.3 Samples	Max: 605 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 117	Avg: 16.4 Samples	Max: 582 Samples
Total Test Result	60.9 points (out of 100.0 maximum)

The 1203 performed poorly with the ABEX TCD-721R. The total error count of 1235229 is about average, but the level at -6.8 dB(A) is very high and may lead to audible errors. Consequently, the number of skipped samples is also very high. The low total test result score of 60.9 out of 100 is justified.

- ABEX TCD-726

Errors total	Num: 0
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num: 18	Avg: -40.1 dB(A)	Max: -37.6 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0.0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 2	Avg: 36.0 Samples	Max: 36 Samples
Total Test Result	84.9 points (out of 100.0 maximum)

The performance with this test disc was better than with the previous case, which is logical since this disc is much easier to read. The total test result of 84.9 out of 100 is not the best we have seen since there are many drives that achieve scores close to 100. Overall, the performance for this series can be considered below par.

- 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
Optorite DD1203	5/5	5/5	5/5	5/5	0/5

The drive passed the first four Check Levels of the test. The performance is very good offering better than average error correction capabilities. The fifth level, which includes an error size of 1.500mm, produced many audible clicks with the drive.

- Conclusion

CD error correction is not one of the Optorite drive's strongpoints. Performance could be better...