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MSI DR16-B Dual-Layer DVD Burner Review
MSI DR16-B Dual-Layer DVD Burner Review  - PCSTATS
Conventional recordable DVD media stores data on a single 4.7GB plane (level) of the disc, dual-layer DVD media 8.5GB of data.
 89% Rating:   
Filed under: Optical Drives Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: MSI Nov 19 2004   C. Sun  
Home > Reviews > Optical Drives > MSI DR16-B

Software and Media compatibility

I was pleased to see that MSI includes Nero Burning ROM along with the drive. Nero is a powerful, well supported CD/DVD burning program that's easy to get to grips with, even for beginners. Intervideo's software suite is great for those of you who want to convert those home movies on VHS tapes to DVD, as it has everything you'll need.

Nero's InfoTool shows us that the MSI DR16-B can read pretty much all types of recordable media except for DVD-RAM discs. As for writing methods, everything is supported except DVD-RAM and Mount Rainier.

Dual-Layer DVD Technology

As mentioned earlier, dual-layer DVD media can store more data than its single-layer counterparts. This is because DL DVD media has two dye layers for data recording. Heat caused by the drive's laser beam modifies the physical and chemical structure of each dye layer to form patterns which can be read by the same laser (at a lower intensity) as digital data.

Each dye layer is separated by a spacer and a metal reflector. The metal layer reflects the laser light, allowing the drive to 'read' the data by observing the reflections. The first reflector (positioned after the first dye layer) is semi-transparent; when the laser is focused a certain way, it will pass through this reflector and continue through to the second dye layer and bounce off the second metal reflector. This allows the drive to read the second layer of data. The second reflector is completely opaque and will not allow the laser beam to pass any further. Thus, by modulating the frequency of its laser beam, a dual-layer capable DVD-writer can read and write to dual-layer DVD discs.

There are a couple of ways to indicate dual-layer media. The most common is 'DVD+R DL' but it's also sometimes indicated as DVD+R9. Obviously, both the drive and the media need to be dual-layer capable in order to access the extra storage space afforded to these 8.5GB monster platters!

PCStats Test System Specs:
processor:

intel pentium 4 3.0c

clock speed: 15 x 200 mhz = 3.0 ghz
motherboards:

gigabyte ga-8knxp

videocard:

ati radeon 9800 pro

memory:

2x 256mb corsair twinx3200ll

hard drive: 40gb western digital special ed.
cdrom: aopen drw8800
powersupply: vantec 470w stealth psu
software setup

windowsxp build 2600
intel inf 5.02.1012
catalyst 4.4

workstation benchmarks

cd winbench 99
sisoft sandra 2002
nero cd speed

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Contents of Article: MSI DR16-B
 Pg 1.  MSI DR16-B Dual-Layer DVD Burner Review
 Pg 2.  — Software and Media compatibility
 Pg 3.  Benchmarks: CDWinbench 99, Sandra
 Pg 4.  Benchmarks: CD Speed: Data and Audio
 Pg 5.  Benchmarks: CD Speed: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM
 Pg 6.  Benchmarks: CD Speed: DVD+RW, Conclusions

 
Hardware Sections 


 
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