DVD Error Correction Tests

In the following tests we examined the DVD reading capabilities of the Pioneer DVR-A06 using artificially scratched / defected DVD media. For the tests we used CDVD Benchmark and Nero CDSpeed. The reference test media come from ALMEDIO.

- Single Layer media

ABEX TDR-821

This is a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM with a capacity of 4.7GB, in which there are scratches of dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 3.0 mm. The following transfer rate picture comes from CDVD Benchmark v1.21.

The disc was read without any problems. The scratched area of the disc did not result to any read errors, although the drive unexpectedly lowered the reading speed just after corresponding end address of the scratch. The performance in the test is very good.

ABEX TDR-825

This is also a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM with a 4.7GB capacity. The data structure of the disc is exactly the same as that of the TDR-821, with the difference that there not scratches on it but defected areas of dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 mm. There are also fingerprints sized between 65 to 75 micro meters.

Again the test was completed without any read errors. The reading speed was reduced from 10x to 5x in a specific defected area (fingerprint), but reading was normally resumed and the test was successfully finished.

- Dual Layer media

ABEX TDR-841

This is a 8.5GB dual layer, single sided DVD-ROM disc with artificial scratches of dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 3.0mm, in both layers.

Both layers of the PTP DVD-ROM disc were accurately read and the reading speed throughout the whole disc was not infected by the scratched areas.

ABEX TDR-845

The disc is a single sided, dual layer DVD-ROM disc with a capacity of 8.5GB. The only difference between the TDR-845 and the TDR-841 disc is that the first includes defected areas and fingerprints. The dimensions of the defected areas range from 0.5 to 1.1 mm and the fingerprints are sized between 65 to 75 micro meters.

As is the case in the corresponding test with the ABEX TDR-825 disc (defected single layer DVD-ROM), the drive had no problems to finish the task successfully. The reading speed was 8x CAV.

ABEX TDV-541

The TDV-541 is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc, with a capacity of 8.5GB. The disc is based upon the TDV-540 series which is designed for inspection and adjustment of DVD-VIDEO players. The discs check the layer switch operation from layer 0 to layer 1 and also include test pictures and test signals for DVD sound files. The current TDV-541 disc checks also the error correction capabilities of the drive and includes scratches of dimensions 0.4 to 3.0 mm.

The OTP dual layer disc was read without any problems. The average reading speed was 6.16x, and the random seek time was 143msec.

ABEX TDV-545

The TDV-545 disc is based on the TDV-540 series. It is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc with a capacity of 8.5GB. The TDV-545 includes artificial black dots on the data surface, sized from 0.4 to 1.0 mm. It has also 65 - 75 micro meter fingerprints.

Black dots and fingerprints were not a problem for the drive. The test was successful, running at a 6.17x average speed .