For our CD transfer rate tests we used the Nero Disc Speed utility and a set of data and audio CD-R/RW/ROM media. Here we test the maximum reading speed of the Samsung drive (40x/48x) for each type of disc.

-CD-ROM

- US RW

The following CD Speed graph shows the reading performance with US-RW media.

The disc was read at 40x CAV.

- AudioCD

In the CD Speed Advanced DAE quality test, the drive's average speed was 27.94x with a quality score of 100.

Digital Audio Extraction or DAE is important when we try to read the files stored on an audio CD and store them in our hard disk drive. The procedure is not always that simple and the fidelity of the extracted data depend on the way each drive handles these data.

The majority of the software that support this procedure, commonly known as "ripping", will just read the audio files and store them on your hard disk. However, this approach is not recommended for all drives, since it may result to read or sync errors if your drive does not support report of C2 error pointer information and also what the author of the EAC (Exact Audio Copy) software describes as "accurate stream" and " non-caching."

According to EAC, the Samsung SH-B123L drive supports "caching, " "Accurate stream" and returns "C2 error" pointer information.

Accurate stream and C2 error reporting is always welcome and contribute to reliable and fast audio extraction. Generally, if you select a drive for extraction better have a look that the drive does not cache audio data.

According to these results and in case you use the EAC software for your rippings, you may choose the "Secure" mode of audio extraction among the available extraction modes of the software.

If you are sure about the physical condition of your audio CD and you need faster extractions, you may chose other utilities such as the CD DAE software. A typical ripping task of an audio CD finished at an average reading speed of 28.3X, using CD DAE:

Below we have added a transfer rate test with the same audio CD:

- 90 mins data disc

The 90min disc was fully readable but the test could not be completed with an error returned in the full access time test.

- 99 mins audio disc

Again, the 99min audioCD was readable, although the drive slowed down at around the 94min. All the tracks were playable.

- Summary

The reading process of all CD media was completed without read errors and at speeds that match the drive's specifications.