detail information

DVD+R Dual Layer writing speed and compatibility:

The LG GSA-4163B supports the DVD+R9 DL standard for writing Dual Layer discs with a size of 8.5 GB at a writing speed of 4x. Let us first take a look at the media's we will use:

Let's find the manufacturer and media information too, for this we will use DVD Identifier 3.5.1:

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Unique Disc Identifier : [DVD+R-DL : MKM-001-000]
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Disc & Book Type :       [DVD+R DL] - [DVD+R DL]
Manufacturer Name :      [Mitsubishi Kagaku Media]
Manufacturer ID :        [MKM]
Media Type ID :          [001]
Product Revision :       [Not Specified]
Blank Disc Capacity :    [Not Supported By Method 2]
Recording Speeds :       [1x , 2.4x]
                         [Method 2 Might Not Always Detect All Speeds]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
** INFO : An Empty Writable Disc Is Recommended For Accurate Results
** INFO : Drive = HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B [FW A101]
** INFO : Write Capabilities = DVD+R DVD+R-DL DVD+RW DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-RAM
** INFO : Disc = [DVD+R-DL:MKM-001-000]
** INFO : Write Speeds (Supported By This Drive On This Disc) Listed Below
** INFO : GET PERFORMANCE Write Speed Descriptor(s)
Descriptor #1 =  5540 KBPS ( 4.00x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
Descriptor #2 =  3324 KBPS ( 2.40x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
** INFO : MODE SENSE Write Speed Descriptor(s) [Legacy Command]
Descriptor #1 =  5540 KBPS ( 4.00x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
Descriptor #2 =  3324 KBPS ( 2.40x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
** WARNING : Format 11h (Method 1) Is Recommended ADIP Retrieval Method
** WARNING : Format 00h (Method 2) Data Might Contain Drive Modified Values
** WARNING : Format 00h Might Not Return The Entire 'Media Code'-Block
** INFO : Hex Dump Of 'Media Code'-Block Listed Below
** INFO : 4-Byte Header Preceding 'Media Code'-Block Discarded
** INFO : Format 00h (Method 2) - Physical Information (Copy Of ADIP)
0000 : e1 0f 32 10 00 03 00 00  00 fc ff ff 00 22 d7 ff   ..2.........."..
0010 : 00 00 00 4d 4b 4d 00 00  00 00 00 30 30 31 00 40   ...MKM.....001.@
0020 : 25 25 37 0c 02 2f 63 02  2f 63 21 23 0d 0e 14 14   %7../c./c!#....
0030 : 02 01 01 10 00 21 23 0d  0e 14 14 02 01 01 10 00   .....!#.........
0040 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00   ................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ DVD Identifier - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com ]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

This media is manufactured by Mitsubishi Kagaku Media. Thanks to LG Korea for sending us this media.

Manufacturer and media information:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unique Disc Identifier: [DVD+R-DL : RITEK-D01-001]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disc Type:              [DVD+R DL]
Manufacturer ID:        [RITEK]
Manufacturer Name:      [Ritek Co.]
Media Type ID:          [D01]
Product Revision:       [001]
Disc Application Code:  [General Purpose]
Recording Speeds:       [1x , 2.4x]
Blank Disc Capacity:    [4,173,824 Sectors = 8,152.0MB = 7.96GB (8.55GB)]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0000 : e1 0f 32 10 00 03 00 00  00 fc ff ff 00 22 d7 ff   ..2.........."..
0010 : 00 00 00 52 49 54 45 4b  00 00 00 44 30 31 01 40   ...RITEK...D01.@
0020 : 25 25 37 00 00 28 64 00  28 64 19 1b 0b 0b 0e 0f   %7..(d.(d......
0030 : 01 00 00 00 00 19 1b 0b  0b 0e 0f 01 00 00 00 00   ................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DVD Identifier - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The media is made by Ritek (Made in Taiwan).  Thanks to Conrexx Technology B.V. (The Netherlands) for sending us this media.

Testing procedure: We created an ISO Image of the largest DVD-Video disc we had (Nemo, 7.91 GB (8.495.888.384 bytes)) using DVD-Decrypter. Then we wrote this image file using Nero Burning ROM 6. Below are the results:

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media

Traxdata media

The LG GSA-4163B used 26 minutes and 55 seconds for writing the Mitsubishi Kagaku media at 4x and 44 minutes and 30 seconds for writing the Traxdata media at 2.4x. Let us take a look at the K-Probe result:

The KProbe result is excellent.

The result is good. And now it's time to take a look at some reading tests with various DVD-Writers.

First we will try to read the discs back in the LG GSA-4163B drive:

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media

Traxdata media

As we could see, the LG GSA-4163B had no problems to read the discs. Let us try some other drives to read the Dual Layer discs:

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media

Traxdata media

The Plextor DVDR PX-712A shows a perfect reading curve on both media.

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media

Traxdata media

The Lite-on SOHW-1633S also shows a perfect reading curve on both media.

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media

Traxdata media

The same goes for the Philips DVDR1640P

Let's compare the LG GSA-4163B with other DL capable drives.

* Verbatim DVD+R9 DL
** Philips DVD+R9 DL
*** Traxdata DVD+R9 DL

Standalone DVD-Player compatibility:

We only have 3 standalone DVD-Players available and 1 standalone DVD+R/W recorder to test the DVD+R9 DL media (Book Type: DVD-ROM).

• Aiwa DVD Player XD-DV370
• Medion DVD/Div-X Player MD7457
• Red Star DVD-Player 230G
• Mustek R100A DVD+R/W Recorder

Compatibility results:

All 4 standalone devices played the DVD+R9 DL burned Medias.

Summary: Excellent write quality and standalone compatibility results.

Before we round off this review, let us run the drive through some advanced tests at next page…