LG GSA-5163D Triple format DVD Burner

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Author

OC-Freak
Retired Senior Admin
Article posted 25 Mar 05 21:13

DVD-R quality and DVDRW writing tests

 

DVD-R media compatibility and write quality:

Brand:

BenQ ‘“ thanks to Daxon for providing it.

Manufacturer:

Daxon

Code:

DAXON016S

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

-

Write Time:

-

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

-

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

-

This media is unfortunately only supported at 4x, and since we only have a limited amount of this media we see no reason to waste a disc. And again ‘“ LG has no plans to implement support for this media.


Brand:

Verbatim Data Life Plus

Manufacturer:

CMC Magnetics

Code:

MCC03RG20

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x

Write Time:

5m:22s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

4.78

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.03

Impressive! Low writing time and low amount of errors.


Brand:

Miflop Extreme ‘“ thanks to Miflop media for providing it.

Manufacturer:

Taiyo Yuden

Code:

TYG03

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x

Write Time:

5m:19s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

1.23

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.07

As expected with Taiyo Yuden, very good! This media also holds the speed record so far.


 

Brand:

Verbatim Data Life Plus

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Chemicals Singapore

Code:

MCC02RG20

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

8x

Write Time:

7m:49s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

1.30

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.01

No problems with this media, highly recommended.


Brand:

BenQ ‘“ thanks to Daxon for providing it.

Manufacturer:

Daxon

Code:

DAXON008S

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

8x

Write Time:

7m:58s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

7.05

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.05

NOTE! This test is re-done using firmware A103, the performance with A102 is very poor with this media. Now there are no problems and the result is very good.


 

Brand:

Traxdata ‘“ Thanks to Conrexx for providing it.

Manufacturer:

Ritek

Code:

RITEKG05

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

8x

Write Time:

7m:43s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

3.55

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.06

No problems with this media. But beware of lower grade media that is floating around on the market as A grade.


 

Brand:

MiFlop Extreme ‘“ thanks to MiFlop for providing it.

Manufacturer:

Taiyo Yuden

Code:

TYG02

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

8x

Write Time:

7m:51s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

7.00

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.10

A good result ‘“ just like we expect with Taiyo Yuden.


Brand:

BenQ

Manufacturer:

Daxon ‘“ but with Sony ADIP.

Code:

SONY08D1

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

8x

Write Time:

7m:47s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

2.37

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.07

Another great result, there are quite some of them now. ;)


Brand:

Datawrite

Manufacturer:

Prodisc ‘“ but with Fujifilm technology and ADIP.

Code:

FUJIFILM03

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8X

Write Speed:

8X

Write Time:

7m:44s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

0.37

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.04

Simply impressive, this is the best result we have ever obtained with this media.


 

Brand:

UNIVERSAL

Manufacturer:

Prodisc

Code:

ProdiscF01

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

8x

Write Time:

7m:48s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

1.26

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.05

Another excellent result.


 

Brand:

Samsung

Manufacturer:

Opto disc

Code:

OPTODISCR008

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

8x

Write Time:

7m:52s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

26.26

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.03

NOTE! This test is re-done using firmware A103, with firmware A102 this media was written at 6x only. Now the result is pretty good.


Brand:

Unbranded

Manufacturer:

Gigastorage

Code:

GSC003

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

6x

Write Time:

10m:21s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

9.36

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.06

NOTE! This test is re-done using firmware A103, the performance with A102 is very poor with this media. Still wrote at 6x only, but the quality is much better.

Overall thoughts: Feed the drive with known quality media and it will smile back at you and continue to surprise you with excellent results. But don’t feed it with unknown or low quality media. Overall it’s an excellent writer ‘“ but the media support could still be improved.

Re-Writing data:

The LG GSA-5163D supports rewriting DVD-RW at 6x and DVD+RW at 8x speed, let us write two discs in Nero CD/DVD speed and Nero Burning ROM to see how fast it is.

Here are the writing results for writing the 6x DVD-RW disc:


 

LG GSA-5163D uses CLV writing technology to write the DVD-RW disc at 6x. Total recording time is just over 10 minutes.

And here are the results with 8x DVD+RW writing:


 

The 8x DVD+Rw disc was written using Z-CLV writing technology and the total writing time is around 8 minutes.

Writing Quality with DVD Re-Writable discs:

Due to request from our readers we will add a few write quality tests with ReWritable media. Settings and testing procedures are the same as used earlier in this review so you may want to go back and read them if unsure. All discs used for these tests have been written to before, but none have been written to more than 25 times.

DVD+ReWritable media:


Brand:

Unbranded ‘“ thanks to LG for providing this media.

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media/CMC Magnetics

Code:

MKMA03

Disc Type:

DVD+RW

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

8x

Write Time:

7m:54s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

21.59

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.18

While there were no problems reading back the disc the amount of errors is a lot higher than usual with this media.


 

Brand:

RiData ‘“ thanks to RiData for providing it.

Manufacturer:

Ritek

Code:

RITEK004

Disc Type:

DVD+RW

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

4x

Write Speed:

4x

Write Time:

14m:41s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

15.08

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

1.51

A very good result with this media.


 

Brand:

Daxon ‘“ thanks to Daxon for providing it.

Manufacturer:

Daxon

Code:

Daxon.D42

Disc Type:

DVD+RW

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

4x

Write Speed:

4x

Write Time:

14m:21s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

4.47

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.07

Very low amount of errors and an excellent result.

DVD-ReWritable media:


 

Brand:

Verbatim Data Life Plus

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi (Made in Singapore)

Code:

MCC01RW6X01

Disc Type:

DVD-RW

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

6x

Write Speed:

6x

Write Time:

10m:01s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

13.74

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

0.02

Nothing to complain about here.


 

Brand:

RiData ‘“ thanks to RiData for providing it.

Manufacturer:

Ritek

Code:

RITEKW04

Disc Type:

DVD-RW

Capacity:

4489MB

Certified Speed:

4x

Write Speed:

4x

Write Time:

14m:38s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

41.96

PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec:

1.44

While the result is not as good as with other rewritable discs ‘“ there are still no noticeable problems.

To sum it up: The LG GSA-5163D shows solid performance along with good quality on the DVD-Rewritable tests.

But let us now look at the most interesting aspect of this drive; Double Layer DVD+R writing…

10 Comments

chas0039
Posts: 7123
Posted on: 25 Mar 05 16:42
This was a perfect review. You covered everything very clearly. Much thanks.
Peralph
Posts: 108
Posted on: 25 Mar 05 23:18
OC-Freak would you say there are really big advantages to buying a device of this kind, compared to say, take an equivalent LG and put it in an external USB 2.0 casing? Especially considering the big advantage in price that this last option offers. Sure it's really more convenient and tiny, but is it worth paying more in your opinion?
Scour
Posts: 998
Posted on: 26 Mar 05 19:21
LG does it again :g:g:g Great writer and a great review. If LG make better firmware-support the LG-drives should be the absolute best
OC-Freak
Posts: 5644
Posted on: 26 Mar 05 21:38
Yes - with this external case you actually reach 16x writing speed. With many cases for sale in stores you do not reach 16x reading/writing due to different reasons. The GSA-5163D is also optimized for working in an external enclosure. Take an GSA-4163B and put in the same case - I doubt you will be able to reach 16x at USB at least. 16x on firewire may work. This is because LG have optimized the GSA-5163D firmware to work at max with this enclosure. And to be honest - this is the first drive I've had that actually reach REAL 16x speed on USB2 - regardless of drive and enclosure (yeah I have lik 5-6 different enclosures). All respect to LG for really testing that transfer rates could be reached like expected - unlike Samsung ang NU with their external writers which can only reach around 13-14x before slowing down. Very dissapointed that NU and Samsung is marketing 16x external drives that can't reach 16x. So yes - in my eyes it's worth it - buying this drive brings you a drive that is fully tested at both USB and firewire - I did not have a single problem with USB or Firewire while testing. Buying a drive x + enclosure x will in most cases lead to problems in a way or another.
talk
Posts: 1
Posted on: 28 Mar 05 06:33
It took my 5163D (firmware A102) 14m 18s and 12m 38s (about 4x speed) to write to Verbatim (MCC004) 16x +R DVDs, the only 16x media I could find locally. I am using Nero 6.6 software and a firewall conection. Also, as noted, it will write only at the stated speed for -R media although my 8x TDK burner would write at 8x using 4x TY(Fuji), Verbatim and TDK -R media, so it is faster there than the 16x LG. It will burn 8x +R media (Maxell) at 12x. Before I retun it to Samx Club, how did you get the firmware upgraded to A103? I only see firmware upgrades for the internal model on LG's US website, and this version can not recognize my external drive, thus, preventing any attempt at upgrading the firmware..
OC-Freak
Posts: 5644
Posted on: 29 Mar 05 08:46
http://www.lge.co.kr/library/opendata.jsp?p_name=GSA-5163A103(KW)1.zip GSA-5163D fw A103. Tried the drive on USB2?
Kenshin
Posts: 12775
Posted on: 03 Apr 05 21:15
Post the details of your problem on LG forum.
ILikePie
Posts: 40
Posted on: 23 Sep 05 11:11
looks like it beats 1click dvd copy in every way... http://www.best-dvd-burning-software-reviews.com/dvd-burner-chart.asp :g
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 25 Mar 07 05:55
I Lost the Cd for above software. So, where can I download above DVD Writer Software?.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 22 Jun 07 09:35
bpmlgiuk http://nfavkclb.com rkfyskvb vshottgq

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