The maximum supported speed is 16X CAV for both DVD+R and DVD-R formats. For DVD+RW, the speed is 8X while for DVD-RW, 6X CLV.

Using Nero CD-DVD Speed with DVD-R and DVD+R media, we are able to see the writing strategy of the drive for both formats at 16X burning speed.

• 16X DVD+R Single Layer writing

The test started at 6.76X, reached a maximum writing speed of 16X and reported an average speed of 11.83X. WOPC is activated.

• 16X DVD-R Single Layer writing

The drive completed successful DVD writing at 16X in 5:45mins. The test started at 6.67X, reached a maximum writing speed of 16.07X and reported an average speed of 11.72X.

- Burning Tests

• DVD-R media

We burned a variety of DVD-R media of 16X and 8X enabled. Almost all media were burned at their named speeds. Prodisc F02 media was burned at 8X, since the drive's current firmware supports this media at 8X. Ridisc 8X media was burned at 8X but reported a burn time of 14:00 mins, which is closer to a 4X burn rather than 8X. Same performance was reported with Optodisc 8X media too.

• DVD+R media

Optodisc 16X and Prodisc R05 16X media were burned at 8X, were the rest of the media were burned at their specified speeds. Fastest burn came with Prodisc and Verbatim 16X media, burned in 5:32mins.

- Comparison with other drives

With marginal speed differences, the Samsung drive is the fastest burner among the three comparison drives.

Once more, the speed difference between the drives is negligible. With +RW media, the reviewed drive was slowest, while with -RW media, it produced the fastest burn time. It was faster with both -R and +R media.

- DVD Overburning Test

Unfortunately, the drive does not support the overburning feature.