Plextor 16x DVD+R media review

Transfer and playback tests

So far in this review we have reported on how well/bad the Plextor 16x DVD+R media has performed on our 5 used review recording devices and given you a good idea as to how many errors may be left on the media. These are some of the main influences for a playback or Transfer device to correct according to our Liteon-IT 1673S with KProbe and the Plextor PX-716A using PX Scan. One thing this hasn't prooven to us is just how well the recorded media can be transfered at high speeds, although we can with experience draw an educated opinion on whether the discs will transfer ok from the KProbe and PX Scan 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 we have shown up to now during our other tests we are happy that we should have no problems with playback on any of the Plextor 16x DVD+R media we 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-4550 or any of the recordings refusing to playback properly on our review playback devices.

Below you will find the results of the Transfer tests on the NEC ND-4550 which we feel is a most reliable PC DVD reading device.

CD Speed high speed transfer tests Below you will find the transfer tests carried out on the NEC ND-4550 at its fastest reading speed. Please click on a drive thumbnail for more detailed information about the transfer tests carried out on the Plextor DVD+R media. Pioneer DVR 109 XL [OEM] with firmware version 1.58 NEC ND-4550A [OEM] with firmware version 1.06 BenQ DW 1640 [OEM] with firmware version BSMB LiteOn 1673S [Retail] with firmware version JS0D Plextor PX-716A [Retail] with firmware version 1.09

Results show that the NEC ND-4550 encountered no fatal errors during the CD Speed transfer tests, reaching its maximum single layer reading speed of 16x for all pieces of the Plextor 16x DVD+R media used for this review. Given these facts we feel there are no reasons why we should see any problems with playback on these devices.

Our final test is the playback test of a DVD Video. For this review we chose the benQ DW 1640 with firmware BSMB to record a DVD Video compilation with CopyToDVD of 4464Mb (4.36GB) in size to the Plextor 16x DVD+R media, again at 16x. As all the recording devices had such equal quality scans the only way we could decide was by using the recorder that gained the fastest recording speed. That said the recordings seemed to be very equal on all used recording devices and it may be a case that any tested recording device would of shown the same results.

One thing to note here : Both the NEC ND-4550 and Pioneer DVDR 109 XL do not allow changing of booktype in their default firmware for DVD+R media and so are les compatiable with older standalone DVD players. Had we used the recordings from these drives results may of been different compatability wise than what we have shown with our BenQ recording.

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."

As expected at a read speed of 1x the recording showed no problems with playback in any of 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 any areas where the high speed fast forwarding stopped. We 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.