In order to test the writing quality and readability of the burned media, we used two readers with two software applications:

- The LiteON SOHD-167T with patched firmware being able to read DVD5 up to 16X CAV and DVD9 up to 10X CAV. For the transfer rate tests, we used the latest Nero CDSpeed version.

- The Plextor PX-716A with the latest available firmware. For scanning the disc, we used the latest PlexTools version at 2X CLV reading speed, BURST mode with middle accuracy.

In general, a "perfect" disc should have a smooth reading curve, very low PIE/POE and zero (0) POF error rates. Most times however, even though a disc has very low PIE/POE error rates, the reading curve may not be smooth containing drops. Due to the fact that we oversped the reading capabilities of the LiteON SOHD-167T, such drops are expected, especially near the outer area of the disc.

The measurements below should be taken not as the absolute criteria of the burning quality, but as an indication level.

16X DVD-R Writing Speed

- Moser Baer 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- MKM 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Ricoh 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Maxell 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Datawrite Titanium 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- RiDisc 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Datawrite Classic 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Datasafe 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- ProdiscF02 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- ProdiscS05 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Optodisc 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- BenQ 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Summary

Writing quality with DVD-R 16X media is not as good as what we saw with DVD+R media. One of the tested media could not be read by the LiteOn drive, whereas RiDisc, Optodisc and BenQ media were the only media that produced smooth speed graphs and low error rates. Overall, most of the media had low error values but unsteady speed graphs. We should also mention that we retested the unreadable Ricoh disc with a second LiteOn drive, but the results were the same.