Erik Deppe, the man behind the development of the popular DVD Speed and PlexTools software, developed the 'Opri Drive Control' test and benchmark utility for optical drives, which can be used to verify the performance, quality and reliability of the burn and read functions of optical drives and discs. The new software is actually an enhanced and updated version of the popular CD/DVD speed benchmark utility. It offers the typical transfer rate (read) and 'Create test disc' (write) functions, detailed information about the optical disc you are using as well as your burner, disc quality measurements for CD and DVD media, all in a new and improved layout and well-designed interface.

A new and useful function of the software is also the 'Verify disc' option. It can be used to read and verify the readability of the data stored on the disc.

The disc quality options allow you to l scan the disc and report error parameters. It requires a burned CD or DVD. The software measures C1. C2, DC jitter, PIE (Parity Inner Error) and PIF (Parity Inner Failure) errors. note that this function is not supported by all drives. In general LiteOn, BenQ, Samsung and Optiarc/Nec drives are supported. Some Plextor drives are also supported while the Pioneer and LG drives are not supported.

You can download the Opti Drive Control software (30-day trial version) at http://www.cdspeed2000.com/download.html. The price for a single user license is $24.95 USD or 19.95 EUR The software is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista (all versions).