Miflop Xtreme 16x DVD+R media review

Transfer and playback tests

So far in this review I have reported on how well/bad the Miflop 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 prooven to is just how well the recorded media can be transfered 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 Miflop 16x DVD+R media I have recorded to.

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-4551 or any of the recordings refusing to playback properly on our review playback 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. Please click on a drive thumbnail for more detailed information about the transfer tests carried out on the Miflop Xtreme DVD+R media. LG Electronics GSA-4166B [OEM] with firmware version 1.02 Pioneer DVR 110 [OEM] with firmware version 1.39 Philips DVDR1660P1 [Retail] with firmware version P1.3 NEC ND-4551A [OEM] with firmware version 1.07 Plextor PX-755A [Retail] with firmware version 1.02

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 Miflop 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.

One final but no less important final test is the playback test of a DVD Video. For this review I was going to choose the NEC ND-4551A with firmware 1.07 to record a DVD Video compilation with CopyToDVD of 4464Mb (4.36GB) in size to the Miflop 16x DVD+R media, again at 16x. This seemed a logical choice as this was the least favourable result overall so far. One problem here - by default the NEC ND-4551A does not support booktype ( bitsetting ) of DVD+R single layer media. Seeing as a lot of standalone playback devices require bitsetting enabled for best results, using the NEC would not of been a fair reflection on media compatiability. So the Device used for the playback tests is also the fastest achieved recording device - the LG GSA-4166B which does support booktype changing for single layer DVD+R media.

As expected at a read speed of 1x the recording showed no problems with playback in all of the tested playback devices, whether they be PC based, standalone or console driven. Fast forwarding the DVD Video compilation at 16x in any of my standalone DVD playback devices did not show any areas where the high speed fast forwarding stopped. 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."