1. Features, specifications
It may be less than a month before the first 24x reach the market of DVD burners, but today we are having a look at LG's latest solution for 22x DVD recording, the GH22NS30. This drive is a Super-Multi DVD writer, supporting all DVD media currently available. The drive we got is a bulk version meaning that it comes with no software or any other goodies found in the retail packages of other drives. But still, it would be interesting to see how fast and reliably this baby performs, compared to other 22x DVD burners from LiteOn and Samsung.
In detail, the LG drive is able to burn DVD±R media at 22X, DVD+R DL at 16X, DVD-R/+R DL at 16X, DVD+RW media at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X and DVD-RAM at 12X. It is connected to the computer via a S-ATA interface, thus allowing Burst Transfer Rates of up to 1.5Gbps.
The drive's key features are:
- Compatible with all Current Standard Disc Formats
- DVD±R 22x Burning Speed
- SATA Interface
- SecurDisc Feature
- Drive Specifications
LG hasn't changed much on the front faceplate of the drive, which is also met at the company's previous models. The "SuperMulti" and "SecurDisc" logos are there, although the CD and DVD+R/+RW logos are missing.
At the rear side we find the typical SATA and power connectors.
The GH22NS30 by HL Data Storage was manufactured in November 2008.
The internal board of the drive is rather small, as you can see below.
The GH22NS30 uses Panasonic's MN103SD9GRAB chip. The company also uses chipsets from Renesas in other 22x DVD models.
- Installation
The drive was identified under Windows XP as "HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22NS30", firmware version 1.01.
Nero Info Tool 5
DVD Info Pro
2. CD / DVD read tests
For our CD transfer rate tests, we used the Nero Disc Speed utility and a set of data and audio CD-R/RW/ROM. The drive can read CD media at a maximum speed of 48X.
For each CDSpeed graph, you can click on the image to see the complete screenshot, including full measurements.
-CD-ROM
- US RW
The following CD Speed graph shows the reading performance with US-RW media. Reading reached a maximum of 40x, as per the specifications.
- AudioCD
In the CD Speed Advanced DAE quality test, the drive's average speed was 28.54X with a quality score of 100.
A typical DAE task with an 80min non-protected Audio CD produced 28.8X average ripping speed.
- 90/99 mins Audio disc
90min Audio
99min Audio
DVD Format
Now let's take a look at how the drive performs with DVD media. This time, a set of SL and DL DVD media was used. The drive is capable of reading at 16X maximum speed for single layer DVD ROM and at 12X for dual layer DVD ROM media.
DVD-ROM SL media -
PTP DVD-ROM -
The two layers of a PTP DVD-ROM disc are read sequentially with the drive starting reading from the inner part of the disc, which is the beginning of each layer, progressing towards its outer range.
OTP DVD-ROM -
The first layer of an OTP dual layer DVD-ROM is read exactly the same way as the first layer of the PTP disc we tested previously. The difference here is the reading strategy of the second layer of the disc. The beginning of the second layer is located in the outer part of the disc, so the drive starts reading from the outer tracks and progresses towards the inner part of the disc.
- DVD-R
- DVD-RW
- DVD+R
- DVD+RW
- DVD+R DL
-DVD-R DL
-DVD RAM (2-5x media)
-DVD RAM (12x media)
Huge reading problems here with the Maxell 12x DVD-RAM disc.
- DVD Video Ripping
Ripping of a single layer DVD movie:
| Average |
11,855 kB/s (8.6X) |
| Maximum |
16,787 kB/s (12.1X) |
- Summary of reading tests
The drive was quick enough with all the CD and DVD discs and reading was accurate. However, the 12x DVD-RAM disc caused significant problems and it seems that the some exrta work is needed here to make the HG22NS30 read the specific disc.
3. CD error correction tests
This series of tests checks the drive's ability to correct/conceal possible erroneous data after reading artificially scratched / defective audio discs. The test discs used were the ABEX series from ALMEDIO.
Specifically, a software compares two audio files using FFT analysis. The first audio file has been extracted by a normal audio disc. The second one is the result of the extraction of the another disc which hold the same audio track, but it also has specific defects on its surface. The similarity factor of the the two tracks unveils the error correction capabilities of the drive.
The differences between the two compared tracks are translated to a signal (noise) illustrated in the following graphs. We should note here that this signal is normally appearing here, since there is not any drive capable of fully correcting the serious errors reported for these test discs.
- ABEX TCD-721R
| Errors total |
Num : 1003189 |
| Errors (Loudness) |
55721 |
Avg:-74.4 dB(A) |
Max :-20.1 dB(A) |
| Error Muting |
Num : 3212 |
Avg : 1.0 Samples |
Max : 8 Samples |
| Skips |
Num : 0 |
Avg : 0.0 Samples |
Max : 0 Samples
|
| Total Test Result |
76.7 points (of 100.0 maximum) |
An adequate score for the LG drive here. There were no skipped samples and the error correction did not start earlier than it should and the Error Loudness sometimes surpassed the -60 dB(A) border. Noise above that value can sometimes become audible, depending on the music that surrounds it.
- ABEX TCD-726
| Errors total |
Num : 0 |
| Errors (Loudness) |
Num : 0 |
Avg : -174.0 dB(A) |
Max : -174.0 dB(A) |
| Error Muting |
Num : 0 |
Avg : 0.0 Samples |
Max : 0 Samples |
| Skips |
Num : 0 |
Avg : 0.0 Samples |
Max : 0 Samples
|
| Total Test Result |
100.0 points (of 100.0 maximum) |
Pretty good performance here for the error correction mechanisms.
- CD-Check Audio Test Disc
The CD-Check Test Disc is another tool for evaluating the Sound Reproduction / Error correction capabilities of a CD player. The disc offers a signal combination with disc error patterns to rate the drive's abilities to read music and reproduce it completely. Five tracks on the disc contain a sequence of progressively more difficult tests. These tracks are referred to as Check Level-1 through Check Level-5.
The tracks are reproduced through a software multimedia player (e.g. Windows Media Player). Each level is considered as passed, if the tone is smooth, continuous without interruptions, skipping or looping. The higher the Check Level passed, the more reliable the sound reproduction of the tested drive.
| Error Level |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| LG GH22NS30 |
5/5 |
5/5 |
5/5 |
0/5 |
0/5 |
Playback of the majority of the last two tracks (4 and 5) produced audible noise and interruptions. This is a common score among DVD-RW drives and shows acceptable error correction mechanisms.
4. DVD error correction tests
In the following tests, we examine the DVD reading capabilities of the drive (error correction) with scratched / defective DVD media. For the tests, we used CDVD Benchmark and Nero CDSpeed. The reference test media comes from ALMEDIO.
- Single Layer media
ABEX TDR-821
This is a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM with a 4.7GB capacity, and its surface has an artificial scratch of dimensions varying from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.
The following transfer rate picture comes from the CDVD Benchmark v1.21 transfer rate test.
Flawless reading, without any problems and without dropping speed.
ABEX TDR-825
This is also a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM of 4.7GB capacity. The data structure of the disc is exactly the same as that of the TDR-821, with the difference that there are no scratches on it but instead, defective areas of dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 mm. There are also fingerprints sized between 65 and 75 micrometers.
The drive managed to read the disc successfully, without any read errors.
- Dual Layer media
ABEX TDR-841
This is an 8.5GB dual layer, single sided DVD-ROM disc with artificial scratches of dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 3.0mm, on both layers.
A good read by the drive here, producing a smooth graph.
ABEX TDR-845
The disc is a single sided, dual layer DVD-ROM disc with a capacity of 8.5GB. The only difference between the TDR-845 and the TDR-841 is that the first includes defective areas and fingerprints.
The reading process produced a read error here, as the drive was unable to read the disc at a point near the start of the second layer.
ABEX TDV-545
The TDV-545 disc is based on the TDV-540 series. It is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc with a capacity of 8.5GB.The TDV-545 includes artificial black dots on the data surface, sized from 0.4 to 1.0 mm. It also has 65 - 75 micrometer fingerprints.
Flawless reading here, producing a smooth and symmetrical speed graph.
Summary
Overall, the DVD error correction mechanisms are generally good.
5. Test platform - The IQB Omni CD DVD Analyser by Quantized
All CD/DVD writing quality tests are done using the IQB Omni CD DVD Analyser by Quantized. The IQB Omni from Quantized Systems is a physical disc analyser,
covering all CD and DVD formats,
designed to meet the Quality Control
demands of the duplication and
replication sectors.
Omni's features allows you to identify media quality issues and highlight drive performance and recording problems.
The system is based on a Philips CD/DVD drive. It supports the majority of the optical disc formats, including CD-ROM, CD-R/RW, CD-A
DVD-R/-RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R/+RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-ROM 5 and DVD-ROM.
The platform can test the media for the following signals:
| CD-R/CD-ROM/CD-A |
DVD+R/+RW |
DVD-R/-RW |
DVD-ROM |
| Reflectivity |
R-I14H |
R-I14H |
R-I14H |
| Jitter |
Modulation |
Modulation |
Modulation |
| I11/ITop |
Jitter |
Jitter |
Jitter |
| Asymmetry/Beta |
PI Sum 8 |
PI Sum 8 |
PI SUm 8 |
| BLER |
PI Unc |
PI Unc |
PI Unc |
| E11 to E32 Error Statistics |
POF |
POF |
POF |
| Burst Errors |
Beta |
Beta |
Asymmetry |
| |
ADER |
|
EDC |
| |
ADER Unc |
|
|
Test speeds for CD media are set at 16X and for DVD media at 4X.
The equipment is capable of providing measurements on the complete data area or at specific positions defined by the user (Quick Test mode). This zone testing procedure allows multiple areas of the
disc to be tested in a single operation.
All numerical and graphical data are stored in a database. Data can be recalled with user defined criteria to create sets of related key results. Data can also be imported into most common software
packages - MS Excel etc.
For more information on the Quantized IQB Omni Analyser, visit http://www.quantized.com.
In the following pages, we present the writing quality measurements of various CD and DVD recordable and rewritable media, burned with the LG GH22NS30 DVD burner.
6. CD-R writing - Taiyo Yuden 48x
For this test (and for all ensuing tests with CD-R media), the CD-R disc was burned to its maximum capacity and at its maximum speed. Then, the same disc is read with the Disc Speed software, and the disc was scanned for digital errors (C1 and C2).
-Disc Info
Taiyo Yuden 48x CD-R
- Writing
Average Writing Speed: 36.56x
Writing time: 02:42min
- Reading speed
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
This was a pretty good burn, and the test reported no uncorrectable errors. The Jitter value was over limit, but that didn't seem to affect the overall test.
7. CD-R writing - Ritek 48x
-Disc Info
Memorex Ritek 48x CD-R
- Writing
Average Writing Speed: 36.55x
Writing time: 02:41min
- Reading
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
Another good burn, with all error rates within limits.
8. CD-RW writing - Verbatim 32x
-Disc Info
Verbatim 32x CD-RW
- Writing strategy
Average Writing Speed: 25.79x
Writing time: 03:34min
- Reading speed
9. DVD+R writing - CMC MAG M01 16x
We start our DVD writing quality measurements with DVD-R media. A variety of different MIDs were selected and burned at the maximum allowed speed. In each of the following pages, you will find detailed information about each disc, the burning and reading procedure as well as the related signal measurements that construct the overall quality picture for each disc.
You can always navigate across to the different MIDs in this review, using the page navigation drop down menu.
- Media Info
- Writing - 16x (11.91x average) in 05:40min
- Reading - 16X (11.61X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
The test reported many POF errors and a pretty high PI8 error rate. Not a good burn to start with.
10. DVD+R writing - DAXON AZ3 16x
- Media Info
- Writing - 16x (11.82x average) in 05:55min
- Reading - 16X (11.58x average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
The PI8 error rate exceeded its limit at a point where the Jitter value is also over limit.
11. DVD+R writing - Moser Baer MBIPG101 R05 16x
- Media Info
- Writing - 16X (11.90X average) in 05:42min
- Reading - 16X (12.04x average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
A very nice burn for the LG drive with the Moser Baer DVD+R disc. No uncorrectable errors were reported and all measured signals were flawless.
12. DVD+R writing - INFOME R30 003 16x
- Media Info
- Writing - 16x (11.88x average) in 05:42min
- Reading - 16X (11.59X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
The problem is obvious here towards the data area at the outer part of the disc. The PISum8 error rate was increasaed, although they did not pass to the POF decoding stage.
13. DVD+R writing - Verbatim MCC 004 000 22x
- Media Info
- Writing - 22x (16.34x average) in 04:24min
- Reading - 16X (11.62X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
An adequate burn here, although that the Verbatim disc was burned at 22X.
14. DVD+R writing - YUDEN000 T03 22x
- Media Info
- Writing - 22x (16.30x average) in 04:27min
- Reading - 16X (11.60X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
A pretty erroneous burn this time, using Taiyo Yuden media at 22X.
15. DVD-R writing - CMC MAG AM3 16x
- Media Info
- Writing - 16x (11.92x average) in 05:33min
- Reading - 16X (11.60X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
A very nice burn, this time with the CMC MAG. AM3 disc.
16. DVD-R writing - Verbatim MCC03RG20 22x
- Media Info
- Writing - 22x (16.37x average) in 04:18min
- Reading - 16X (11.60X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
Problems were reported here with the high PIsum8 error rate and the POFs.
17. DVD-R writing - RITEKF1 16x
- Media Info
- Writing - 16x (11.95x average) in 05:33min
- Reading - 16X (11.64X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
This time we got a very good burn by the LG drive here.
18. DVD-R writing - TTH02 16x
- Media Info
- Writing - 16x (11.62x average) in 05:44min
- Reading - 16X (11.58X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
19. DVD-R writing - TYG03 22x
- Media Info
- Writing - 22x (16.34x average) in 04:19min
- Reading - 16X (11.61X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
The reported POFs right before the end of the data area ruined the good picture of the Taiyo Yuden disc at 22x.
20. DVD+R DL writing - Verbatim MKM 003 000 10x
- Media Info
- Writing - 10x (9.13x average) in 13:59min
- Reading - 12X (9.04X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
The drive performs well, now with DVD+R DL media.
21. DVD+R DL writing - Moser Baer MBIPG101 R10 8x
- Media Info
- Writing - 8x (6.25x average) in 20:13min
The Moser Baer DVD+R DL disc was burned using a Z-CLV strategy and not a P-CAV as we previousy saw wit the rest of DVD+R DL media.
- Reading - 12x (9.17X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
Some POFs were reported in the end of the L0. The L1 did not give any significant errors although the PISum8 was slightly increased.
22. DVD-R DL writing - Verbatim MKM 03RD30 10x
- Media Info
- Writing - 10x (9.13x average) in 13:17min
- Reading - 12X (9.04X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
A pretty erroneous burn here, with many uncorrectable digital errors.
23. DVD-R DL writing - Verbatim MKM 04RD30 12x
- Media Info
- Writing - 12x (10.11x average) in 12:30min
- Reading - 12x (9.03X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
24. DVD+RW writing - Verbatim MKM A03 000 8x
- Media Info
- Writing - 8X (7.72x average) in 8:25min
- Reading - 12X (8.98X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
25. DVD-RW writing - Verbatim MKM 01RW6X01 6x
- Media Info
- Writing - 6x (6.01x average) in 10:19min
- Reading - 12X (8.81X average)
- Writing Quality - iQB OMNI
Performance with DVD-RW media was also as good.
26. DVD-RAM writing - MXL16 5x
- Media Info
- Writing - 5x (4.68x average) in 12:09min
- Reading - 5X (4.60X average)
27. DVD-RAM writing - MXL22 12x
- Media Info
- Writing - 12x (9.87x average) in 6:06min
- Reading - 12X (7.07X average)
28. Summary of DVD burning tests
In the following table, we have gathered the findings of the DVD quality measurement tests. On the left side of the table, you can find the discs that did not produce uncorrectable digital errors, while on the right side are the rest of the discs. For detailed measurement data, visit the corresponding pages.
| Media type |
Digital errors within limits |
Digital errors exceed limits |
| DVD-R
|
CMC MAG. AM3 burned at 16x |
MCC 03RG20 burned at 22x |
| RITEKF1 burned at 16X. |
TYG03 burned at 22X |
| TTH02 burned at 16X. |
|
| DVD+R |
Verbatim MCC 004 burned at 22x |
Daxon AZ3 burned at 16x |
| MBIPG101 R05 001 burned at 16x |
CMC MAG M01 burned at 16X |
| |
INFOME R30 003 burned at 16X |
| |
YUDEN000 T03 burned at 22x |
| DVD-R DL |
|
Verbatim MKM 03RD30 burned at 10x |
| |
Verbatim MKM 04RD30 burned at 12x |
| DVD+R DL |
Verbatim MKM 003 burned at 10x |
MBIPG101 R10 065 burned at 8x |
| DVD+RW |
Verbatim MKM A03 burned at 8x |
|
| DVD-RW |
Verbatim MKM 01RW6X01 burned at 6x |
|
- 22X Burning Comparison Chart
In the following chart, we compare the 22X burning speed for media that all three of our recently-reviewed 22X writers can burn. The aforementioned media are the Yuden DVD+R and DVD-R 16X discs.
|
YUDEN T03 |
TYG03 |
| LG GH22NS30 |
16.30x average in 04:27min |
16.34x average, in 04:19min |
| LITEON iHAS422 |
16.41x average in 04:31min |
15.81x average in 04:34min |
| Samsung SH-S223F |
16.30x average in 04:27min |
16.40x average in 04:23min |
In the following chart we have gathered all the media that every drive (from the previous three) was able to burn at 22X.
|
LG GH22NS30 |
LITEON iHAS422 |
Samsung SH-S223F |
| DVD+R |
| MCC 004 |
X |
- |
- |
| YUDEN T03 |
X |
X |
X |
| DVD-R |
| MCC 03RG20 |
X |
- |
- |
| TYG03 |
X |
X |
X |
- Highest Burning Speed Comparison Chart
|
16X |
22X |
| LG GH22NS30 |
RITEKF1 (11.95X average) in 5:33 |
MCC 03RG20 (16.37X average) in 04:18min |
| LITEON iHAS422 |
Daxon AZ3 (11.92X average) in 5:31 |
YUDEN T03 (16.41X average) in 4:31 |
| Samsung SH-S223F |
ProdiscF02 (12.00X average) in 5:44 |
TYG03 (16.40X average) in 4:23 |
- Booktype Settings
According to Nero Disc Speed, the drive supports the booktype feature.
- DVD Overburning
As we can see, the drive does not support overburning of DVD recordable media, according to Nero Disc Speed.
29. Final words
Let's summarize the results of all the tests that we performed on the LG GH22NS30 drive.
To start with the reading aspect of the drive, we have to say that it turned out to be pretty good, with the drive reading all discs at speeds according to its specifications. Most reading processes were nice producing smooth graphs. As far as error correction is concerned, we can say that the drive can handle DVD defective media pretty well. However, it could be better on the error correction tests with CDs, although nor the Samsung 22x burner nor LiteOn's 22x solution had performed better in this test.
Next on, are the writing tests that we performed. The burning speed was very good, successfully burning at 22x more media than any other burner currently available. It also successfully burned all media according to specifications, leaving us no choice, but to be satisfied.
However, writing quality was a mixed bag. The tests on most of the burned discs reported many uncorrectable digital errors. These errors were at many times way over limit, thus making the burns not satisfactory. On the bright side, though, there were some discs that were burned flawlessly, and one among them is the MCC 03RG20 disc, which was burned at 22X. Most of these issues could be addressed through optimizations of the writing strategy the drive uses with each different disc. By the time these lines were written, LG released a new version (v1.02) for the drive. We are not sure that the new firmware actually improves the writing performance of the drive but flashing your drive is always recommended.
We also liked that the DVD+RW/-RW discs we tested were in perfect shape, as well as the DVD+R DL discs. Some errors were reported with the DVD-R DL samples we tested. The CD writing quality at the highest speed of 48x was pretty high.
We should also note here that the LG GH22NS30 had hard times reading the Maxell 12x DVD-RAM disc. The SecurDisc feature feature is also available if you like to play around with passwords and protect your discs, while the supported Bit Setting ensures the compatibility of your DVD+R/+R DL discs.
To sum up, the drive has the potential to become the the best choice for 22X burning after some extra optimizations that could fix some writing quality issues. The drive can be bought for about $70.