Error Correction Tests

AOpen DRW4410

In the following tests we check the behavior of AOpen DRW4410 when it comes to reading scratched / defected discs. The test discs we use are the ABEX series from ALMEDIO.

- ABEX TCD-721R

Errors total	Num: 1071367
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num: 52601	Avg: -73.5dB(A)	Max: -7.7 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 3597	Avg:1.1 Samples	Max: 113 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 6	Avg: 6.0 Samples	Max: 6 Samples
Total Test Result	69.3 points (of 100.0 maximum)
C2 Accuracy	66.9%

According to the graph, the average error level is low and the signal level (Loudness errors) is -73.5 dB(A). The difference over the Ricoh drive is very small, and the total score is adequate (69.3 points out of 100).

AOpen DRW4410 also reports C2 error information, but the accuracy seems to be low.

- ABEX TCD-726

Errors total	Num:1094
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num:44	Avg:-71.2 dB(A)	Max:-53.7 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num:6	Avg:1.0 Samples	Max: 1 Samples
Skips Samples	Num:0	Avg: 0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Total Test Result	90.2 points (of 100.0 maximum)
C2 Accuracy	67.1 %

The TCD- 726 test gave very good results. The total score of the drive is 90.2 points out of 100. Only 6 errors were muted and no errors were skipped. The average reported error loudness is -71.2dB(A), which is a very good result but the C2 accuracy is low (67.1%).

- Summary

Test Disc	Reading Speed	Score
ABEX TCD-721R	Max	69.3
ABEX TCD-726		90.2
Average Score		79.7

AOpen DRW4410 gets a very good score of 79.7 out of 100 at the reading error correction tests. The drive managed to hide / correct critical error samples, and is a reliable ripper with defected discs.

- 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.

Each file was played 5 times. A 5/5 score donates that the file was played flawlessly without problems.

Error Level	1	2	3	4	5
AOpen	5/5	5/5	5/5	3/5	0/5

AOpen DRW 4410 passed the first 3 Check Levels of the test. The performance reveals good sound reproduction and error correction. The fourth level (.wav file) was played successfully 3 times out of 5 we tested. The fifth level includes an error size of 1.500mm, and the drive gave back audible clicks.