Imation 16x DVD+R media review

Transfer and Playback tests

So far in this review I have reported on how well/bad the Imation 16x DVD+R media has performed on our 5 used review recording devices and given you a good idea as to how many potential errors may be seen on playback and transfer devices. One thing this hasn't proven is just how well the recorded media may be transferred at high speeds, although I can with experience draw an educated opinion on whether the discs will transfer ok from the Disc Quality results shown earlier in this review. Of course playback will be performed at 1x on a DVD playback device and so judging by the results I have shown up to now during previous tests I am happy that no problems with playback should occur on any of the Imation 16x DVD+R media I have recorded to.

Of course that's the theory and it's based solely upon my judgment of the test carried out so far. There are other factors besides Disc Quality that can affect transfer tests, especially at 16x such as excess noise created at that speed on certain devices. Its a common reason why many drives usually only offer a 12x max transfer speed on recordable DVD media. The NEC ND 4551A device used in this part of the review seems to cope as well as any device at transfer speeds of 16x. More times than not, if this device slowdowns during transfer, then it can usually be attributed to higher amounts of potential errors such as Sum1, Sum8, Beta and Jitter than would be preferred for best quality.

Small slowdowns are accepted during a transfer but what we don't want to see is any places where data refuses to transfer on the NEC ND-4551A or any of the recordings refusing to playback properly on our review playback devices.

Results show that the NEC ND-4551A encountered no fatal errors during the CD Speed transfer tests, reaching its maximum single layer reading speed of 16x for all pieces of the Imation 16x DVD+R media used for this review. Given these facts I feel there are no reasons why I should see any problems with playback on these devices.

Nero CD-DVD Speed high speed transfer tests Below you will find the transfer tests carried out on the NEC ND-4551A at its fastest reading speed of 16x for single layer media. Please click on a drive thumbnail for the results of the transfer tests on that device. NEC ND-4551 A [OEM] with firmware version 1-08 Liteon SHM-165P6S[Retail] with firmware version MV9N Plextor PX-760A Premium [Retail] with firmware version 1.04 Philips DVDR1660P1[Retail] with firmware version P1.6 Pioneer DVR 111D[OEM] with firmware version 1.29

One final but no less important final test is the playback test of a DVD Video. For this review I chose the Philips DVDR 1660P1 with firmware P1.6 to record a DVD Video compilation with CopyToDVD from VSO Software as I wanted to see if the slowdown to 4x during recording actually interfered with DVD Video playback. The DVD compilation was 4464Mb (4.36GB) in size and the recording speed chosen for the Imation 16x DVD+R media was again, its rated speed of 16x. This filesize is a common output size from many 'shrinking' programs and is a good representation of real life DVD recording for the end user with DVD Video.

One thing to note here : Both the NEC ND-4551A and Pioneer DVR 111D do not allow changing of booktype in their default firmware for DVD+R media and so are less compatible with older standalone DVD players. Had I used one of these devices, the recordings from these drives results may of been different compatibility wise than what I have shown with the Philips recording.

As expected at a read speed of 1x the recording showed no problems with playback in almost all of the tested playback devices, whether they be PC based, standalone or console driven. Fast forwarding the DVD Video compilation at 16x on our PRISM standalone DVD player did not show areas near the end fast forwarding was not interrupted. I would also like to reconfirm that a high speed transfer on this disc did not produce any slowdowns either that may have an impact on the quality of the disc.

What is Booktype changing ( or Bitsetting ) and how does it work and why is it a good idea to support it in writer firmware?

"Changing the booktype of DVD+R media basically tricks the reading device into thinking a normal pressed DVD-ROM has been inserted instead of a DVD+R. Players known not to like DVD+R discs quite often have great success in reading them with their booktype changed. It's an added plus to a drives capabilities if it allows this feature and a minus point if it doesn't in my opinion."