CDR Tests

The Ricoh MP7163A supports up to 16x (CLV) writing speed. We used Nero CD Speed build-in writing test in order to test the drive's writing performance. The drive's average writing speed is 16.02X as Nero CD Speed revealed.

The drive also supports JustSpeed, which automatically will reduce the writing speed in case an un-certified 16x CD is inserted and the drive detects that cannot be written safely at the maximum writing (16X) speed.

- Procedure:

We tested the Ricoh MP7163A with Nero v5.5.3.0, CloneCD v3.0.9.2 and Padus DJ v3.50.799 software. For the CDR tests we used: Verbatim 74min (16x) & 80min (16x), Taiyo Yuden 74 & 80min (24x), Mitsui 74min (24 & 16x) and Ricoh/Verbatim/TDK 74min HS-RW media.

- CD-R Tests:
We created a "DataCD" with an amount of data slightly higher than 74mins (74:03:65). We burned the same data amount with both CDR-W drives:

The Ricoh MP7163A is faster by 2seconds. Also the drive uses less CPU usage than the AOpen CRW1632.

Again at the 16x writing speed (with JustSpeed disabled), the Ricoh MP7163A is faster, however now with only 1 sec deference.

- 80min CDs

As with the previous test, we created a DataCD (80:01:47) and used the same media for all burns:

In the 80min CD task, the Ricoh MP7163A is faster than the AOpen CRW1632. The drive needs 6 less seconds than the AOpen one.

Again at the 80min CDs, the Ricoh MP7163A is faster. The AOpen needs 4 extra secs to end the task and that gives Ricoh the first place.

- Overburning Tests

The Ricoh MP7163A supports overburning up to 99minutes!

- CD-Text Results:
We created several AudioCDs with CD-Text enabled. The Ricoh can write but not read CD-Text Audio CDs.

- CloneCD Tests:
The CloneCD v3.0.8.2 reports that the drive supports the DAO-RAW writing feature. The drive also supports JustLink. From our tests results DAO-RAW writing works without any problem for the SafeDisc 1, LaserLock 1/2 and SecuROM 2 protections.

- SD2 Support:
For the SD2 tests we used the "No One Lives For Ever" and "Emperor Battle for Dune" CD titles. We used the Ricoh MP7163A both as reader/writer. The produced backup didn't play using the same drive or any drive we tested. Therefore the Ricoh MP7163A cannot produce SD2 working backups.

- 8cm mini CDs:
The Ricoh MP7163A does support reading only of 8cm CDs and/or business cards.

- Buffer Underrun tests:
The Ricoh MP7163A supports the "JustLink" anti-buffer underrun technology that has been developed by Ricoh. The drive worked without any problems when buffer underrun caused from our side.