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

- BenQ 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Datasafe 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Maxell 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Moser Baer 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- ProdiscF02 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- ProdiscS02 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Ricoh 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Summary

Quality with DVD-R media at 16X hasn't improved greatly from previous Samsung releases and the reported error count and levels with Plextools were high in most cases. CDSpeed produced some not so steady graphs and failed to complete the reading process for Maxell media. We tried a second LiteOn drive in order to re-read the disc, but unfortunately the results were the same. On the plus side, apart from the Maxell disc, there was no POF with any of the media.