For all Blu-Ray media burning tests, we used either Nero Burning ROM or ImgBurn. We created 25GB, 50GB, 100GB and 128GB ISO files from our HDD and we burned them at the disc. Max writing speed was set to the burning software. Reading speeds were performed with OptiDriveControl (for 25GB/50GB discs) and with QPxTool (for 100GB/128GB discs). Note that the Pioneer drive doesn't support Blu-Ray measurements so we used only the HLDS BH51N Blu-Ray drive to "measure/scan" the burned discs for burn quality.

According to the official specifications, the Pioneer BDR-S13U-X can write BD-R at 16X, BD-R DL at 14X, BD-R TL at 8X, BD-R QL at 6X, BD-R (LTH) at 8X, BD-RE at 2X, BD-RE DL at 2X, BD-RE TL at 2X, M-DISC (BD) SL at 6X, DL at 8X and TL at 6X.

Note that in order to get above 12X recording speed you have first to enable high-speed recording with the Pioneer BD Utility

and second to have the following supported media for the current firmware 1.03

• 12X Recording
  • CMCMAGBA5
  • MEI_RA1
  • RITEK_BR3
  • RITEK_BR4
  • SONY_NN3
  • VERBATIMe
• 16X Recording
  • RITEK_BR4
  • SONY_NN3
  • VERBATIMe

Below is the supported media list of BD-R format (6x rated discs) and can be burned up to 12X or even 16X. Note that even today its very hard to find Ritek_BR4 (still in development phase) or the other two ID codes (SONY_NN3 or VERBATIMe), nowadays Sony 6X BD-R media uses probably Ritek_BR3 and MKM (aka VERBATIMe) doesn't produced any more.

Lets start our recording tests with all the available media we had in our labs for testing...

Single Layer Recordable Media (25GB)

JVC 6X 25GB BD-R LTH (printable top)

The drive can write up to 8X with specific media and used P-CAV writing strategy.

The Pioneer drive can read the same disc perfectly.

The HLDS BH51N drive reported an error at the end of the disc...

MoserBaer 6X 25GB BD-R

The drive can write up to 10X with specific media and used P-CAV writing strategy.

The Pioneer drive can read the same disc perfectly.

The HLDS BH51N drive reported in general good quality if we don't consider a huge spike at the start of the disc.

PlexDisc 6x 25GB BD-R

The drive can write the PlexDisc 6X BD-R media up to 8X and used P-CAV recording strategy.

The Pioneer BDR-S13JX managed to read the burned disc without any real problem up to 12X.

The HLDS BH51N produced a general good scan with slight increased errors at the end of the disc.

Ritek Pro 6x 25GB BD-R

The drive can write the Ritek Pro 6X BD-R media up to 12X and used CAV recording strategy.

The Pioneer BDR-S13JX managed to read the burned disc without any real problem up to 12X.

The HLDS BH51N produced a general good scan and perfect reading curve.

TDK 4X 25GB BD-R

The drive can write up to 10X with specific media and used P-CAV writing strategy.

The Pioneer drive can read the same disc almost perfectly, there is a slight drop at the end of the disc.

The HLDS BH51N drive also reported high errors at the end of the disc.

Verbatim 6X 25GB BD-R

The drive can write up to 12X with specific media and used CAV writing strategy.

The Pioneer drive can read the same disc perfectly.

The HLDS BH51N drive seems not to like very much the burned disc and drops reading speed at the end of the disc.

Verbatim 6X 25GB BD-R LTH

The drive can write up to 6X with specific media and used Zone-CLV writing strategy.

The Pioneer drive has a slight drop at reading speed at the end of the disc.

The HLDS BH51N drive reported several errors, however doesn't slow down when reading the disc.

Verbatim 6X 25GB BD-RE

The drive can write up to 2X with specific media and used CLV writing strategy.

The Pioneer drive can read the disc up to full 10X.