Pioneer DVR-SK12D Dual DVD±R recorder - Page 4

DVD reading tests

- Single Layer PTP DVD-ROM

The Pioneer DVR-SK12D supports an 8x CAV reading speed for single layer DVD-ROM media. Nero CDSpeed reports that the drive reached the 8.16x maximum speed at the end of the disc (i.e. outermost tracks) while the average speed was 6.07x under CAV mode.

While we may be used to higher DVD-ROM reading speeds from DVD writers (12x~16x), it should not be forgotten that the DVR-SK12D is a slim and compact DVD recorder and as such, the achievement of higher speeds is not an easy task.

Random seek time for the drive was faster than 140msec, as stated in the official specifications. The performance in the full stroke could however have been better.

- Dual Layer PTP DVD-ROM

Both layers of the dual layer PTP DVD-ROM were read in the same manner. The Pioneer DVR-SK12D supports 6x CAV reading of dual layer media. The disc was read accurately under CAV mode, at an average speed of 4.57x.

In the same test the reported seek times are once again low and very close to those of the single layer disc previously tested. The random seek test clocked in at 132ms while the drive needed 288ms for the full seek test.

- Dual Layer OTP DVD-ROM

The graphs presented below show the drives performance for OTP dual layer DVD-ROM read under CAV mode.

The first layer was read exactly the same way as the first layer of the PTP disc we tested previously. The second layer is located in the outer part of the disc, so the drive starts reading from the outer tracks toward the inner part of the disc. Here too the speed increase/decrease is linear and symmetrical between the two layers.

The transfer rate graph is smooth and each layer was read at an average speed of 4.54x under CAV mode.

- DVD Ripping Tests

We measured the DVD ripping speed of the Pioneer DVR-SK12D using the DVD Decrypter software. The DVD Video title is the "Matrix" pressed DVD.

The Pioneer DVR-SK12D finished the ripping process after 19:08min. The average reported ripping speed was 3.4x (4720 KB/sec) which is an acceptable speed.

Apart from the decrypting procedure, the Pioneer DVR-SK12D supports speeds of 3.6x CAV reading for dual layer DVD-Video discs with CSS, and 4x CAV for single layer DVD-ROM (with CSS).

- DVD Recordable / Rewritable reading Tests

The chart below shows the Nero CDSpeed results with the following media:

• 4x DVD+R
• 4x DVD+RW
• 4x DVD-R
• 4x DVD-RW

The drive supports 4x CAV reading with DVD±R/RW discs. Note that the DVD-R Ver.1.0 media will be read at 3.6x CAV. The CDSpeed tests confirmed the drive's specifications and each disc was read flawlessly at aproximately 3x average.