LaCie d2 DL DVD±RW Recorder - Page 4

DVD Error Correction Tests

In the following tests, we examined the DVD reading capabilities of the LaCie d2 DL drive with scratched / defective DVD media. For the tests we used the latest version of Nero CD/DVD Speed . 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 Nero CD/DVD Speed transfer rate test.

The drive can normally read DVD media up to 12X. The scratched area had an affect on the reading performance. However, LaCie 's drive managed to read the media, and no errors were produced.

ABEX TDR-825

This is also a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM of a 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 defective areas of dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 mm.

There are also fingerprints sized between 65 and 75 micrometers.

The LaCie d2 DL drive had no problems reading this test disc, although here also the defective area had an affect, albeit smaller this time, on reading performance. No errors were reported during the reading process. Again, the drive could not pass the 10X speed mark, just as with the TDR-821 test media.

- 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.

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As seen above, the drive had no problems reading this test disc. The test was completed by the drive with no errors. Small glitches in speed are produced when the areas with the scratches were read. It should be noted that the NEC ND-2510A drive produced read errors with this test disc and with NEC 's v2.15 firmware version.

ABEX TDV-541

The TDV-541 is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc, with a capacity of 8.5GB.The disc is based upon the TDV-540 series which is designed for inspection and adjustment of DVD-VIDEO players. The disc checks the layer switch operation from layer 0 to layer 1 and also includes test pictures and test signals for DVD sound files.

The current TDV-541 also checks the error correcting capabilities of the drive and includes scratches from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.

As is evident in the snapshot above, the drive read this test disc, but here also it recorded small fluctuations in speed when the area with the scratches was read. Again, it should be noted that the ND-2510A with this test disc and with firmware version v2.15, was incapable of completing the reading process.

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 has also 65 - 75 micro meter fingerprints.

LaCie 's drive reading speed was not as high as other 8X DVD recorders but we were happy to see that no read errors were produced. Similar behaviour to the ND-2510As.