detail information

Test machine:

For this review we will be using a computer with the following configuration:

Hardware:

• Motherboard: ECS Elitegroup N2U400-A with Nvidia nForce 2 Ultra-400 and nForce MCP chipset.
• Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2800+ (Barton) 333 MHz FSB.
• RAM: 1 GB Infineon PC2700 DDR
• GFX: ATI Radeon 9600 XT
• Sound: SoundBlaster Audigy
• Hard disk: Samsung SP1614N 160 GB.

System set-up:

The drive was connected as Secondary Master and identified itself as TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552U. DMA (Direct Memory Access) and autorun was enabled for all devices.

Software:

Windows XP Professional is installed on the computer along with Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. We will be using the following software in this review:

• Ahead Nero Burning ROM version 6.6.0.6
• Ahead Nero CD/DVD Speed v3.80
• Ahead Nero Info Tool v3.01
• Slysoft CloneCD v5.1.0.0
• DVD-Identifier 3.6.2
• Exact Audio Copy v0.95 pre-beta 5
• K-Probe v2.4.3

Now it's time to take a closer look at the write technology used by the Samsung TS-H522U:

16X DVD+R/-R Writing speed:

Thanks to Samsung UK, for sending us this MKM Verbatim DVD+R 16x sample.

The Samsung TS-H522U uses CAV, (Constant Angular Velocity) to write DVD+R at 16x. The average speed is 12.05x and total writing time is 5 minutes and 59 seconds.

Thanks to Samsung UK, for sending us this MKM Verbatim DVD-R 16x sample.

The Samsung TS-H522U uses CAV, (Constant Angular Velocity) to write DVD-R at 16x. The average speed is 12.06x and total writing time is 5 minutes and 24 seconds.

The Philips DVDR16LS uses CAV, (Constant Angular Velocity) to write DVD+R at 16x. The average speed is 11.33x and total writing time is 6 minutes and 8 seconds. The average speed is lower and the writing time is higher than it could have been due to the Walking OPC generation 2 using some time to constantly adjust the writing quality, we could see this as constant dips in the speed curve.

The LG GSA-5160D uses Z-CLV, (Zone-Constant Linear Velocity) to write DVD+R at 16x. The average speed is 11.60x and total writing time is 6 minutes and 12 seconds.

The LG GSA-4163B uses P-CAV, (Partial-Constant Angular Velocity) to write DVD-R at 16x. The average speed is 12.90x and total writing time is 5 minutes and 20 seconds. Below, we made a comparison table:

*1 - Actual writing speed was max 14x due to USB-Bridge limitations.
*2 - Actual writing speed was max 13x due to USB-Bridge limitations.

From the table above, we can see that the Samsung TS-H552U performed among the fastest on both DVD+R/-R.

Features and techniques:

Supported techniques:

 Included software:

Now it's time to look at the included software and to comment if needed. Notice that we may not use the included software in our performance testing part of the review.

Samsung DVD±R/RW Writemaster CD:

User's Guide (in 15 different languages):

Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD v8.3.0.3 OEM:

Create Option

Copy/Backup Option

Media Option

Extra Option

Very good software package - suitable for beginners as well for experienced users.

Now that we have finished examining the drive and its writing strategies, it's time to head on to next page, which is reading performance test…