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

- RiDisc 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Datawrite Classic 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- MKM 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Datasafe 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Datawrite Titanium 16X DVD-R @ 16X

- Summary

Writing quality with DVD-R 16X media is not as good as we've seen with the plus media. Two of the tested media could 't be read by the LiteOn drive, however they had low error levels. Datasafe media was the only media that produced a smooth speed graph but it had a rather high error levels and count. We should also mention that we retested all unreadable media with a second LiteOn drive, but unfortunately the results were the same.