CD-R Writing performance

---

In the specifications of the Lite-On SOHR-5239V we ca find that the drive supports 52x writing for CD-R media. Let us now find out how the drive really performs.

For our data writing tests, we simply set up a new compilation of 703Mb using Nero Burning ROM software. Writing method used is DAO (Disc At Once), and the disc is set up as a non-multisession disc with “finalize disc” enabled. The screenshot below shows how long it takes to write a disc at the highest speed. (52x)

The Lite-On SOHR-5239V took 2 minutes and 37 seconds to complete the burn at 52x speed.

CD-R Writing Quality

---

We will test CD-R discs from different CD-R manufacturers. To really measure the write speed, we used the “create data CD” function in Nero CD-Speed. The discs were written at the maximum speed that the drive supports. For the quality test, we used KProbe 2 which is a tool developed by a Lite-On employee. It runs under Windows and works with drives made by Lite-On. Also note that different drives and different reading speeds may affect the results obtained when scanning the discs.

A written CD-R disc will always have some C1 errors; C1 errors are easily corrected by the drive’s error correction capabilities. The next level of errors is C2, while C2 errors could also be corrected by most drive’s error correction capabilities; they are not wanted on a good quality disc. A good disc should not contain any C2 errors, and preferably have an average C1 error amount of below 2.0 for the best discs, or at least below 10.0 averages for good quality discs. After C2 errors, there are only un-correctable errors that will make a disc unusable.

Below are the obtained results:

Brand:	Verbatim Printable CD-R
Manufacturer:	Mitsubishi Chemicals Corporation
Code:	97m34s23f
Disc Type:	Printable CD-R
Recording Layer:	Dye Type 3: Long Strategy (Cyanine,Azo)
Capacity:	79:59.31 (703 MB)
Certified Speed:	52x
Write Speed:	40x (CAV)
Write Time:	3m:02s
C1 Average/Sec:	2.64
C2 Average/Sec:	0.0

A good quality result for this Mitsubishi Chemicals manufactured 52x CD-R media. With a C1 average the disc fits in the “good quality discs” category. Unfortunately, the disc is only supported up to 40x recording speed and other drives can burn this type of disc at full speed and lower error rates.

Brand:	Taiyo Yuden  (Thanks to Primera Technology Inc. for providing us with this media)
Manufacturer:	Taiyo Yuden Company Limited
Code:	97m24s01f
Disc Type:	Tuffcoat with Watershield CD-R
Recording Layer:	Dye Type 1: Long Strategy (Cyanine,Azo)
Capacity:	79:59.72 (703 MB)
Certified Speed:	52x
Write Speed:	52x (CAV)
Write Time:	2m:29s
C1 Average/Sec:	0.64
C2 Average/Sec:	0.0

A C1 average of 0.64 places this Tayio Yuden manufactured media into the “best quality discs” category. Everything would have been a surprise.  

 

Brand:	No Name
Manufacturer:	Moser Baer India Limited
Code:	97m17s06f
Disc Type:	CD-R
Recording Layer:	Dye Type 6: Short Strategy (Phthalocyanine)
Capacity:	79:59.74 (703 MB)
Certified Speed:	52x
Write Speed:	52x (CAV)
Write Time:	2m:29s
C1 Average/Sec:	1.91
C2 Average/Sec:	0.0

For this NoName 52x CD-R media we haven’t expected to much. Nevertheless, a C1 average of 1.91 places this Moser Baer manufactured disc in our “best quality discs” category. A very good result for this media.

Brand:	TDK
Manufacturer:	Moser Baer India Limited
Code:	97m17s06f
Disc Type:	d-view CD-R
Recording Layer:	Dye Type 6: Short Strategy (Phthalocyanine)
Capacity:	79:59.74 (703 MB)
Certified Speed:	52x
Write Speed:	52x (CAV)
Write Time:	2m:32s
C1 Average/Sec:	1.43
C2 Average/Sec:	0.0

1.43 C1 average, once more a “best quality disc” result for this Moser Baer manufactured, TDK 52x CD-R.

Brand:	JVC CD-R audio
Manufacturer:	Wealth Fair Investment Limited
Code:	97m18s17f
Disc Type:	CD-R
Recording Layer:	Dye Type 7: Short Strategy (Phthalocyanine)
Capacity:	79:59.74 (703 MB)
Certified Speed:	40x
Write Speed:	40x (CAV)
Write Time:	3m:03s
C1 Average/Sec:	3.95
C2 Average/Sec:	0.0

Wealth Fair Investment manufactured – JVC CD-R audio. A C1 average of 3.95 places this disc into the “good quality discs” category.

Brand:	Tevion
Manufacturer:	Daxon Inc.
Code:	97m22s67f
Disc Type:	CD-R80
Recording Layer:	Dye Type 7: Short Strategy (Phthalocyanine)
Capacity:	79:59.74 (703 MB)
Certified Speed:	52x
Write Speed:	48x (CAV)
Write Time:	2m:35s
C1 Average/Sec:	1.48
C2 Average/Sec:	0.0

Another surprise, a C1 average of 1.48 is an excellent result for this Daxon manufactured CD-R media. Once more, a disc that fits in our “best quality discs” category.

Brand:	Sony CD-R 32x
Manufacturer:	Tayio Yuden Company Limited
Code:	97m24s01f
Disc Type:	CD-R
Recording Layer:	Dye Type 1: Long Strategy (Cyanine,Azo)
Capacity:	79:59.73 (703 MB)
Certified Speed:	32x
Write Speed:	32x (P-CAV)
Write Time:	3m:10s
C1 Average/Sec:	0.51
C2 Average/Sec:	0.0

Again a “best quality discs” category burn, this time for a Sony CD-R 32x manufactured by Tayio Yuden.

Brand:	TDK
Manufacturer:	TDK
Code:	97m15s05f
Disc Type:	High Capacity CD-R HC-R80
Recording Layer:	Dye Type 5: Short Strategy (Phthalocyanine)
Capacity:	91:01.48 (800 MB)
Certified Speed:	40x
Write Speed:	40x (CAV)
Write Time:	3m:29s
C1 Average/Sec:	6.07
C2 Average/Sec:	0.0

This TDK HC-R80 is the disc we have also used for our overburn test which we will find later in this review. A C1 average of 6.07 places this disc in the “good quality discs” category.

Overall thoughts:

The Lite-On SOHR-5239V burns CD-R media with very good quality but has sometimes problems to burn media at their full rated speed. We assume that a firmware update would also save this problem.

Now let us check if the CD-RW writing performance is as good as the CD-R writing performance…..

---

• Reading Performance
• CD-RW Writing Performance