BTC DRW1008IM DVD±RW recorder - Page 4

DVD reading tests

- Single Layer DVD-ROM (Click for CDSpeed results)

In the DVD single layer read test, BTC and LiteOn produced very similar speeds, while Optorite was slowest by only a small difference. The reported 12.4x speed for the BTC DRW1008IM confirms the manufacturers specifications for 12x reading.

The manufacturer's specifications give the drive as having a seek time of 160msec for DVD media. NeroCDSpeed reports that the drive needed 113ms for random seek, putting it well within specs, while it needed 204ms for full seek time, and 134 ms for 1/3 seek. The seek times nonetheless, are a little on the slow side, while best seek times came from LiteOn drive's with high advance.

- Dual Layer PTP DVD-ROM (Click for CDSpeed results)

The two layers of a PTP DVD-ROM disc are read sequentially with the drive starting the read process from the inner tracks on the disc, which is the beginning of each layer, and progressing outwards towards to the outer tracks for each layer.

According to the manufacturer, the BTC DRW1008IM has a maximum reading speed of 8x CAV with dual layer DVD-ROM discs. The drive managed to reach a maximum reading speed of 8.28x and was only marginally slower than the other two.

Here too, the drives seek times are a little slow. LiteOn had the bets seek time values.

- Dual Layer 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 on 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 inwards towards the inner tracks of the disc.

 

Both layers were read flawlessly without reporting any error. The drive finished the test with a peak speed of over 8x.

- DVD Ripping Tests

We measured the DVD-Video ripping speed of the BTC DRW1008IM using the latest version of DVD Decrypter. The DVD Video title is the "Matrix" pressed DVD-Video.

The BTC drive ripped the movie to hard disk at 7174 KB/s average. The performance is good but a deal slower than the LiteOn drive which posted the highest transfer rate.

- DVD Recordable / Rewritable reading Tests

The chart below shows the Nero CDSpeed average reading speed results with the following media:

• 8x DVD+R
• 4x DVD+RW

• 4x DVD-R
• 2x DVD-RW

The BTC DRW1008IM returned satisfactory average speeds, especially with +/-R media. But once again the Optorite drive proved to be the most capable reader this time with DVD media.