Philips 16x DVD+R media review

Playback and Transfer tests

So far in this review I have reported on how well/bad the Philips 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 Philips 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-4551 at its fastest reading speed. Please click on a drive thumbnail for more detailed information about the transfer tests carried out on the Philips 16x DVD+R media. Pioneer DVR 109 XL [OEM] with firmware version 1.58 Plextor PX-755A [Retail] with firmware version 1.01 LG Electronics GSA-4166B [OEM] with firmware version 1.02 BenQ DW 1640 [OEM] with firmware version BSOB NEC ND-4551A [OEM] with firmware version 1.21

Results show that the NEC ND-4551 encountered no fatal errors during the CD Speed transfer tests, reaching its maximum single layer reading speed of 16x for all pieces of the Philips 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 chose the BenQ DW 1640 with firmware BSOB to record a DVD Video compilation with CopyToDVD of 4464Mb (4.36GB) in size to the Philips 16x DVD+R media, again at 16x. This seemed a logical choice as this was the fastest recording device with this media.

One thing to note here : Both the NEC ND-4551 and Pioneer 109 XL do not allow changing of booktype in their default firmware for DVD+R media and so are less compatiable with older standalone DVD players. Had I used one of these devices, the recordings from these drives results may of been different compatability wise than what I have shown with the BenQ 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 show areas near the end 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. This DVD player certainly prefers DVD-R media during private testing.

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."