Here we try to read scratched / defective DVD media. For the tests, we used the Opti Drive Control v1.51 software and reference test media by ALMEDIO.

Single Layer DVDs

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 graph is smooth enough although there are some quick slowdowns in certain parts of the disc, visible as small downward spikes. The whole disc was readable and no read errors were reported.

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.

Again, the blue smooth line indicates that the drive had no problems reading the disc.

Dual Layer DVDs

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.

Same as before, the drive continues its great performance here.

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.

Reading was successful without any errors. In some areas the transfer rate graph was not so smooth, meaning that the drive had to momentarily slow down to cope with the problematic areas of the disc.

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.

The drive easily read the disc with some minor issues in the end of L0, where is slowed down a bit to resume reading afterwards.

Summary

Overall, the Pioneer BDR-206MBK drive seems to be capable of reading defected DVDs, at least as long as the size of the defects on the disc surface remain within the strict limits of our test discs.