DatawriteClassic Red DVD+R 4x promises a 4x speed performance with the high quality Ricoh dye. While 4x is considered old school, this media is still available through retailers. Many consumers haven't yet upgraded their DVD recorders to the 16x generation and lower speed media may come with a reduced price tag as well. Thanks to E-net Distribution, we had the chance to test this media.

In this test we burned a number of discs using the Pioneer DVR-110D (v1.17), Plextor PX-716UF(1.08) and LiteON SOHW-1653S(CS0P). Your results may vary depending on your recorder and firmware version. For error rate analysis we used Nero CD-DVD Speed software and the LiteON drive. This test method is not scientifically valid or 100% accurate, but usually gives a good idea of the quality. The discs were also tested in various playback devices.

Through the use of advanced duplication technology and the latest manufacturing dyes, Datawrite remains at the forefront of data storage technology by continually adding to its product portfolio: Titanium, Scribbles, Inks.

The culmination of exceptional quality and an infinite variety of products has given both the consumer and the professional the complete storage solution - a superb range of products at the right price.

The Product

Our sample came in a 50pcs spindle pack. The discs are carrying a Ricoh media identifier (MID).

Performance using LiteON SOHW-1653S

Using the LiteON drive we got a very good result with this media. PI and PIF remain very low from start to finnish and the curve is linear. The discs were recorded at the certified speed of 4x

Performance using Plextor PX-716UF

Plextor was able to write this media at 8x speed which is two times faster then the highest certified speed. Despite the over speeding, the result remain very good. Low error rates all the way with no curving or spikes.

Performance using Pioneer DVR-110D

After the positive results with LiteON and Plextor, Pioneer did not let us down either. The results are at the same level as with the other drives. Overall very low and linear result. The discs were recorded at the certified speed of 4x

Varying quality

As usual we continued to burn more discs, and we started getting mixed results. This spindle contained exactly two kinds of media, or more precisely media that gave two kinds of results. Majority, lets say 80% of the discs, gave the excellent test result shown above. However, the remaining roughly 20% portion had a distinctive curved shape in the error rate curve. However this defect doesn't seem too serious. The PI value does rise, but stays well within the standards. Note that the PIF still remains low. The test results would suggest that this 'defect' has very little significance for the end user, but of course we never like to see varying quality.

Conclusions

The Datawrite Red 4x DVD+R is based on high quality Ricoh media. We consider Ricoh one of the very best media types on the market, which is able to challenge Mitsubishi/Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden

However, despite the fact that majority of the discs gave excellent results, there was a slight variation of quality. Majority of the discs were excellent, but the worst were mediocre. Still the quality variation was slight, and if the price tag is right the Datawrite Red can be a decent buy.

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