In order to test the writing quality and readability of the burned media we used two readers with two software applications:

• The LiteON SOHD-167T with patched firmware being able to read DVD5 up to 16X CAV and DVD9 up to 10X CAV. For the transfer rate tests we used the latest Nero CDSpeed version.
• The Plextor PX-716A with the latest available firmware. For scanning the disc, we used the latest PlexTools version at 2X CLV reading speed, BURST mode, with middle accuracy.

In general, a "perfect" disc should have a smooth reading curve, very low PIE/POE and zero (0) POF error rates. Most times however, even though a disc has very low PIE/POE error rates, the reading curve may not be smooth containing dropoffs. Due to the fact that we oversped the reading capabilities of the LiteON SOHD-167T, such drops are expected, especially near the outer area of the disc.

The measurements below should be taken not as the absolute criteria of the burning quality, but as an indication level.

16X DVD-R Writing Speed

• Verbatim 16X DVD-R @ 16X

• Traxdata 16 X DVD-R @ 16X

• TDK 16X DVD-R @ 16X

• CMC Magnetics 16 X DVD-R @ 16X

• Maxell 16 X DVD-R @ 16X

- Summary

Verbatim media could not complete the scan producing an "Address out of range" error very early on. TDK media produced a severe drop in speed at the end of the CD Speed Scan but the Plextools scan was quite good. CMC Magnetics disc produced a good CD Speed Scan graph but the Plextools scan shows a large POE count and the levels are high as well. Maxell was probably the best media with good CD Speed and Plextools scans where the POE count was very low.