MediaRange is one of the newer, lesser known media brands on the market. We had a chance to test MediaRange 16X DVD+R, which promises to utilize high quality Azo dye. Thanks to MediaRange we had the chance to test this media.

The Test Method

In this test we burned a number of discs using the Pioneer DVR-110, HP 840B and BenQ DW1640 with the latest firmware. Your results may vary depending on your recorder. We will add more results later. For error rate analysis we used nero CD/DVD Speed software and the BenQ DW1640 drive. This test method is not scientifically valid or 100% accurate, but usually gives a good idea of the quality.

The Company Hype

Here is a quote from the MediaRange homepage:

High Speed: The new 16x technology allows you to record your data twice as fast ! Blank DVD+Rs are one-time writable DVDs. Due to the 4.7 GB capacity, you can save up to six hours of high resolution digital video material or, of course, important data backups and multimedia developments with the best quality.

Features:

• 4,7GB
• 16x
• High Speed: 16x recording speed!
• High quality AZO dye !
• 4.7 GB storage capacity
• Wide compatibility with burners and software
• Maximum possible recording stability
• Outstanding archival life
• Usable for video (CLV) and data (CAV)
• Stores 7-times that of a CD-R

Principal uses:

• Storage of music, video and data
• Storage of large data volumes and their retrieval
• High storage density
• Transfer from videos and larger data files
• Ideal for longterm data archiving
• For use with multimedia presentations

The Product

Our MediaRange 16X DVD+R discs were in the 25 pcs spindle. The disc itself has a silver top coating. Good looking disc. The discs carry a Mitsubishi MCC 004 Manufacturer ID.

Performance using Pioneer DVR-110 (16X)

The Pioneer starts recording alright, but runs into problems at the end of the disc. Somewhere around the 4 gigabyte marker (at approx. 14x speed), the error rates start rising rapidly.

Performance using Pioneer DVR-110 (12X)

When the speed is reduced to 12x, slightly below the certified 16x speed, the results improve dramatically. A decent result, even thought the PIE graph is not quite linear.

Performance using Pioneer DVR-110 (8X)

Slowing down to 8x speed does not seem to have a significant affect, in comparison to the 12x speed. Quality remains decent, but there is no further improvement.

Performance using BenQ DW1640 (12X)

BenQ did not support higher than the 12x writing speed for this media. Well perhaps it's a good thing if you look at the 16X results with Pioneer DVR-110 ;) With 12X speed results are good - very similar to Pioneer results at the same speed.

Performance using BenQ DW1640 (8X)

Slowing down to 8x speed with BenQ doesn't seem to change things too much. The results are actually slightly worse than at 12x speed, with a bit higher average PIE and PIF values.

Performance using HP 840B (16X)

As you did see the Pioneer DVR-110 results for 16X speed, it's same thing with HP. Disc fails to record properly at the very end. Clearly it seems that this media is not up to it's certified 16x speed.

Performance using HP 840B (12X)

But like a miracle the 12X speed gave decent results. So you should not use the 16X speed with these discs, but to slow down to 12x instead. Also the trend continues with slightly raised PIE values at the beginning of the disc.

Performance using HP 840B (8X)

Once again 8x recording speed did not improve things. The early part is recorded at 4x, which seems to be too slow for this media. Overall the results are a bit worse than with 12x.

Conclusions

We have heard some rumours that these would not be the genuine MCC 004 discs. True or not, but these discs seems to give decent or even good results with 12X or 8X speed. However these discs do not live up to their promise of 16x recording speed. While the results are not totally bad, these discs are no match for authentic Mitsubishi/Verbatim media.

If the price is right, and you are not looking for the fastest recording speed, these might be a budget option to look into.

This is our initial test result. We welcome you to use our comment feature in order to give your feedback about this media. We will still continue using and testing this media and update this review if needed.

You can discuss MediaRange and DVDR media in general at our DVDR Media Forum