detail information

DVD+R Dual Layer writing speed and compatibility:

The Samsung TS-E552U supports the DVD+R9 DL standard for writing Dual Layer discs with a size of 8.5 GB at a writing speed of 6x. 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 3.6.2:

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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 :    [4,173,824 Sectors = 8,152.0MB = 7.96GB (8.55GB)]
Recording Speeds :       [1x , 2.4x]
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** INFO : Drive = TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552U [FW US03]
** INFO : Write Capabilities = DVD+RW DVD+R DVD+R-DL
** INFO : Write Capabilities = DVD-RW DVD-R
** INFO : Disc = [DVD+R-DL:MKM-001-000]
** INFO : GET PERFORMANCE Write Speed Descriptor(s)
Descriptor #1 =  8310 KBPS ( 6.00x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
Descriptor #2 =  5540 KBPS ( 4.00x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
Descriptor #3 =  3324 KBPS ( 2.40x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
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** INFO : Hex Dump Of 'Media Code'-Block Listed Below
** INFO : 4-Byte Header Preceding 'Media Code'-Block Discarded
** INFO : Format 11h (Method 1) - ADIP Information
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   .....!#.........
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[ DVD Identifier - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This media is manufactured by Mitsubishi Kagaku Media. Thanks to Verbatim (D) sending us this media.

Manufacturer and media information:

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Unique Disc Identifier : [DVD+R-DL : RITEK-D01-001]
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Disc & Book Type :       [DVD+R DL] - [DVD-ROM]
Manufacturer Name :      [Ritek Corp.]
Manufacturer ID :        [RITEK]
Media Type ID :          [D01]
Product Revision :       [001]
Blank Disc Capacity :    [4,173,824 Sectors = 8,152.0MB = 7.96GB (8.55GB)]
Recording Speeds :       [1x , 2.4x]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
** INFO : Drive = TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552U [FW US03]
** INFO : Write Capabilities = DVD+RW DVD+R DVD+R-DL
** INFO : Write Capabilities = DVD-RW DVD-R
** INFO : Disc = [DVD+R-DL : RITEK-D01-001]
** INFO : GET PERFORMANCE Write Speed Descriptor(s)
Descriptor #1 =  3324 KBPS ( 2.40x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]
** INFO : MODE SENSE Write Speed Descriptor(s) [Legacy Command]
Descriptor #1 =  2770 KBPS ( 2.00x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV] - [Invalid Entry]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
** INFO : Hex Dump Of 'Media Code'-Block Listed Below
** INFO : 4-Byte Header Preceding 'Media Code'-Block Discarded
** INFO : Format 11h (Method 1) - ADIP Information
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:

Verbatim media

Traxdata media

The Samsung TS-E552U used 23 minutes and 30 seconds for writing the Mitsubishi Kagaku media at 6x. The Traxdata media was not tested since the firmware doesn't contain the writing strategy for this disc. Let us take a look at the K-Probe result:

We can see that the 2^nd layer contain higher PI/PIF then the 1^st layer. The result is good, considering it was written at 6x. 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 Samsung TS-E552U drive:

Verbatim Media

As we could see, the Samsung TS-E552U had no problems reading the disc. Let us try some other drives to read the Dual Layer discs:

Verbatim Media

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

Verbatim Media

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

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media

The same goes for the LG GSA-4163B.

Let's compare the Samsung TS-E552U 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: 

Only the Aiwa XD-DV370 DVD-Player and the Mustek R100A DVD+R/W Recorder would play the disc back. The 2 other standalone DVD-Players reported: 'NO DISC".

Summary: Good quality results! If we should point something out it will be the book type. The Samsung do not set the book type to DVD-ROM on DVD+R9 DL media, which results in compatible problems with standalone DVD-Players.

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