NIP
Yes, although that'll only tell that the date can still be re-read
(after error correction!) at the time of writing. It would be more
usefull if one could get a feeling for the increasing amount of
(already fom the start) error correction needed, which the Plextor
software seems to offer.
I see Nero Ultra has added the ability to do an analysis on a written
disk. Although it's still called CD-DVD speed it does a series of
tests including the standard read and seek times, but disk quality,
with C1/PIE and C2/PIE, errors, jitter, PO failures read speed. It
also does a complete surface scan showing good, damaged, and back
blocks as well as the position of each block.
I've managed to get all of the tests to work except the quality check
which means it's time to get out the manual, or rather down load one
as I downloaded the app.
Like many things there is a rather large tradeoff between the time
spent analyzing the disk and the amount of useful information
retrieved. It takes about as lot to do a complete analysis as it did
to write the original disk and this is not an automated operation.
So, I'm taking some of the originals which are now about 2 years old
"I think" and am doing some spot checks and so far have found no disks
that are reading less than rated, or that have any bad or damaged
spots. OTOH some of those old DVDs were only 2X and most of them are
about as close to full as it's possible to get without splitting
images. <
)
I don't know how well this app will compare to some of the other test
apps, but all in all it's a nice addition to the program.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com