Nero DiscSpeed Instruction Manual

Manual

Nero DiscSpeed

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Nero DiscSpeed

Table of contents

1 Start Successfully 5

1.1 About the manual 5

1.2 About Nero DiscSpeed 5

2 Launching the Program 6
3 Main Screen 7
4 Nero DiscSpeed Options Window 11

4.1 User Interface Navigation Entry 11

4.2 Standard Tests Navigation Entry 13

4.3 Transfer Rate Navigation Entry 15

4.4 Access/Seek Times Navigation Entry 18

4.5 Save Navigation Entry 19

4.6 Autorun Navigation Entry 20

4.7 Disc Quality Entry 21

4.8 Capture Navigation Entry 24

5 Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests 25

5.1 Transfer rate 26

5.2 DAE quality 28

5.3 Access/Seek Times 28

5.4 CPU usage 28

5.5 Burst Rate 29

5.6 Spin Up/Down 29

5.7 Load/Eject 29

5.8 Create Data Disc (Classic Version) 30

5.9 Running an individual Standard Test 30

5.10 Running a Standard Test Series 32

Table of contents

6 Create Disc Tab 33

6.1 Creating a Data Disc (Advanced Version) 33

6.2 Running the Create Data Disc Test 36

7 Disc Info Tab 37
8 Disc Quality tab 39

8.1 Quality Test 39

8.2 Running the Disc Quality Test 43

9 ScanDisc tab 44

9.1 Scan Disc 44

9.2 Running the ScanDisc Test 46

10 Advanced DAE Quality Test 48

10.1 Nero DiscSpeed Window - DAE Test Disc 48

Nero DiscSpeed III

Table of contents

10.2 Creating a Test Disc 50

10.3 Nero DiscSpeed window - Advanced DAE Quality Test 50

10.4 Running the Advanced DAE Quality Test 52

10.5 Error test 53

10.5.1 Advanced DAE Error Correction Test Window 53

10.5.2 Create Image 55

10.5.3 Running the Test with an A-BEX Test Disc 55

10.5.4 Running the Test with a DAE Test Disc 56

11 Overburning test 57

11.1 Nero DiscSpeed - Overburning Test window 58

11.2 Running the Overburning Test 60

12 Saving Test Data 61
13 Loading Test Data 62
14 Erasing a Disc 64
15 Bit Setting 65

15.1 Nero DiscSpeed - Bit Setting Window 65

15.2 Changing the Bit Setting 66

16 Technical Information 67

16.1 System requirements 67

17 Glossary 68
18 Index 72
19 Contact 74

Nero DiscSpeed IV

1 Start Successfully

1.1 About the manual

This manual is intended for all users who want to learn how to use Nero DiscSpeed. It is
process-based and explains how to achieve a specific objective on a step-by-step basis.

To make best use of this documentation, please note the following conventions:

Indicates warnings, preconditions or instructions that have to be pre­cisely followed.

Indicates additional information or advice.

Start Successfully

1. Start …

OK

(see…)

[…]

The number at the beginning of a line indicates a prompt for action.
Carry out these actions in the order specified.

Indicates an intermediate result.

Indicates a result.

Indicates text passages or buttons that appear in the program inter­face. They are shown in boldface.

Indicates references to other chapters. They are executed as links
and are shown in red and underlined.

Indicates keyboard shortcuts for entering commands.

1.2 About Nero DiscSpeed

Nero DiscSpeed tells you the speed of the available CD/DVD drives. Results can be viewed
either as a graph or as a test log. Nero DiscSpeed also creates special test media for data
and audio.

Nero DiscSpeed 5

2 Launching the Program

To start Nero DiscSpeed via Nero StartSmart, proceed as follows:

1. Click the Nero StartSmart icon.

 The Nero StartSmart window opens.

2. Click the button.

 The list of Nero applications is displayed.

Launching the Program

3. Select the Toolbox > Nero DiscSpeed entry in this selection list.

4. The Nero DiscSpeed window opens.

 You have launched Nero DiscSpeed via Nero StartSmart.

Nero DiscSpeed 6

Nero StartSmart window

3 Main Screen

The Nero DiscSpeed main screen is the starting point for all actions that you perform using
Nero DiscSpeed.
The drop-down menu lists the optical drives available on the computer using their exact mo­del designations. It also displays the version number of the firmware
You can switch between five tabs within the main screen. These tabs are used to carry out
the different tests and to display information regarding them.

Main Screen

installed on the drive.

The menu bar in the main screen has four menus.

The following entries are available in the File menu:

Load Results

Contains the following two sub-entries: Load Single File and Data­base.

Load Single File: Loads a saved test file.
Database: Loads several files at the same time. This way, you can

compare test results and/or the efficiency of optical drives.
Only test files saved as binary files with the extension *.dat can be loa-

ded again.

Nero DiscSpeed 7

Main Screen

Main Screen

Save Results

Options

Exit

The following entries are available in the Run Test menu:

Selected

Contains the following three sub-entries: Binary (.dat), Text (.csv), and
HTML.

Binary (.dat): Saves the test results as a binary file. Only test files sa-

ved as binary files with the extension *.dat can be loaded again. Use
this format if you want to open the test results in Nero DiscSpeed or in
the Nero DiscSpeed database and compare them.

Text (.csv): Saves the test results as a text file that you can open with

any text editor.

HTML: Saves the test results in a diagram that you can open with any
Web browser. In the Options window, under the Save navigation entry,
you can define how much data will be saved in the file. If the Include
status check box is enabled, the diagram and all other test results are

saved; if it is cleared, only the graph is saved.

Opens the Nero DiscSpeed - Options window, where you can define

settings for the user interface, for the save function, and for various
tests.

Exits Nero DiscSpeed.

Starts a standard test series. All standard tests that you selected in the

Nero DiscSpeed - Options window, under the Standard Tests naviga-

tion entry, are run.

All

Transfer rate
DAE quality
Access/Seek

Times
CPU usage
Burst Rate
Spin Up/Down
Load/Eject
Create data

disc

Starts the standard test series. All the standard tests that are listed in

the Nero DiscSpeed - Options window, under the Standard Tests na-

vigation entry, are run.

Starts the transfer rate test.

Starts the DAE quality test.

Starts the access/seek times test.

Starts the CPU usage test.

Starts the burst rate test.

Starts the spin up/down test.

Starts the load/eject test.

Starts the create data disc test.

Nero DiscSpeed 8

The following entries are available in the Extra menu:

Main Screen

Advanced DAE
Quality Test

Overburning test

Erasing a Disc

Bit Setting

Contains the following three sub-entries: Create Test CD, Run
Test, and Error Test.

Create Test CD: Opens the Nero DiscSpeed - DAE Test Disc

window, where you can burn a special test disc in order to run the
advanced DAE quality test.

Run Test: Opens the Advanced DAE Quality Test window, where

you can run the advanced DAE quality test with the help of a previ­ously created test disc.

Error Test: Contains the Create Image and Run Test sub-entries.
Create Image: Opens the Nero DiscSpeed - Create Advanced

DAE Image window, where you can create an image file of the test
disc. You need a test disc type A-BEX (TCD-714R, TCD-721R, or
TCD-726)

Run Test: Opens the Nero DiscSpeed - Advanced DAE Error
Correction Test window, where you can read the data from an A-

BEX disc and compare it with the data of the created image file.

Opens the Nero DiscSpeed - Overburning Test window, where

you can simulate the overburning test.

Opens the Nero DiscSpeed - Erase window, where you can erase

data from rewritable discs.

Opens the Nero DiscSpeed - Bitsetting window, where you can

change the bit settings for a DVD recorder.

Capture to clipbo­ard

Capture to file

The following entries are available in the Help menu:

Manual

About

Copies a snapshot of Nero DiscSpeed to the clipboard. The results
in all further displays are lost.

You must save the snapshot before removing the disc you are test­ing from the optical drive. Otherwise the image will be deleted from
the clipboard.

The Save as dialog appears. Opens the Save As window, where

you can save the snapshot on your hard drive.

Opens the Help Information window, where you can download the

manual for Nero DiscSpeed from the Nero website.

Opens the About Nero DiscSpeed window, where you can find the

exact version number of Nero DiscSpeed.

Nero DiscSpeed 9

The following buttons are available:

Main Screen

Start

Stop
Exit

The following tabs are available:

Benchmark

Create Disc

Disc Info

Disc Quality

Scan Disc

Opens the Nero DiscSpeed - Options window, where you can de-

fine settings for the user interface, for the save function, and for va­rious tests.

Starts the test.

The test that is started depends on the selected tab.

Stops the test in progress.

Closes Nero DiscSpeed.

Displays the Benchmark tab. Here you can run the standard tests

offered by the program. This is also where the results are displayed.

Displays the Create Disc tab. Here you can run an advanced test

for writing to disc.

Displays the Disc Info tab, where you can find detailed information

on the disc currently in the optical drive.

Displays the Disc Quality tab. Here you can run a scan to test the

quality of burned discs.

Displays the ScanDisc tab. Here you can run a further quality test.

See also:

 Transfer rate 26
 DAE quality 28
 Access/Seek Times 28
 CPU usage 28
 Burst Rate 29
 Spin Up/Down 29
 Load/Eject 29
 Create Data Disc (Classic Version) 30
 Advanced DAE Quality Test 48
 Overburning test 57
 Erasing a Disc 64
 Bit Setting 65
 Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests 25
 Disc Info Tab 37
 Nero DiscSpeed Options Window 11
 Saving Test Data 61
 Loading Test Data 62

Nero DiscSpeed 10

4 Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

The Nero DiscSpeed - Options window provides various options for customizing the ap-

pearance of the Nero DiscSpeed interface and for configuring settings according to your re­quirements.

The window can be opened using the

setting options. Different input areas will be displayed depending on the entry selected in the
navigation tree.

4.1 User Interface Navigation Entry

The User Interface navigation entry offers setting options in the Language, Disc info
(DVD), Priority, and Colors areas.

button. It comprises a navigation tree and various

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Nero DiscSpeed - Options - User Interface navigation entry

The following setting options are available in the Language area:

Menu

Language

In the Disc info (DVD) area, you can select which information is displayed on the Bench­mark tab on the main screen. This setting will only be available if there is a DVD in the opti-

cal drive. The following setting options are available:

Option button

Disc type

Specifies the language to be used in the program interface.

Shows the Disc type

Nero DiscSpeed 11

of the DVD.

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Option button

Book type

The following setting options are available in the Priority area:

Menu

Priority

In the Colors area, you can define the colors for theBenchmark tab in the main screen. The

following setting options are available:

Menu

Topic

Button

Background 1

Shows the book type

Selects the priority of Nero DiscSpeed. Each process in Windows is
run with a defined priority. This priority defines how efficiently Nero
DiscSpeed can access the computer's resources, e.g. memory.

The following priority levels are available for selection: Low, Normal,
High, and Realtime.

Set the priority to High to prevent your tests from being interfered with

by other processes running concurrently on the computer.

Selects the desired theme. In addition to predefined themes, you can

also set colors with the User-defined entry. To manually edit a color,

click the colored tile and select the color you want in the dialog box
that appears.

Changes the basic color in the background of the graph area.

of the DVD.

Button

Background 2

Button

Grid (primary)

Button

Grid (secondary)

Button

Speed

Button

RPM

Button

Buffer level

Button

CPU usage

Changes the basic color for shading in the background of the graph
area.

Only works when the Background 2 check box is enabled. Other-

wise, the background of the graph area is displayed in one single
color.

Changes the colors for the coarse grid in the graph area.
Only works when at least one of the following check boxes is enabled:

Show horizontal grid and/or Show vertical grid.

Changes the color for the fine grid in the graph area.
Only works when at least one of the following check boxes is enabled:

Show horizontal grid and/or Show vertical grid.

Changes the color for the graph curve that represents speed (write or
read

speed, depending on the test).

Changes the color for the graph curve that represents the rotational
speed of the disc.

Changes the color for the Buffer level

Changes the color for the CPU usage

curve.

curve.

Nero DiscSpeed 12

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Check box

Show horizontal
grid

Check box

Show vertical
grid

Shows the horizontal grid lines in the graph area or hides them. This
box is checked by default.

Shows the vertical grid lines in the graph area or hides them. This box
is checked by default.

4.2 Standard Tests Navigation Entry

The Standard Tests navigation entry offers setting options in the Selected tests, Speed,
and Spin-up time areas.

Nero DiscSpeed - Options - Standard Tests navigation entry

In the Selected tests area, you can define the standard tests that are run automatically if
you click the Start button on the main screen or the menu item Run Test > Selected. These
tests are run on the Benchmark tab. All tests are activated by default.

The following setting options are available:

Check box

Transfer rate

Check box

DAE quality

Adds the test to the standard test series. The Transfer rate test

measures the read speed
read from a disc. If the disc inserted is blank, the test measures
the write speed

Adds the test to the standard test series. The DAE quality test
comprises two partial measurements.

Nero DiscSpeed 13

.

of data, i.e. the speed at which data is

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Check box

Access/Seek Times

Check box

CPU usage

Check box

Burst Rate

Check box

Spin Up/Down

Check box

Load/Eject

Check box

Extra Read Tests

Check box

Create data disc

Adds the test to the standard test series. The Access/seek times

test measures the access
inserted in the drive in three partial measurements.

Adds the test to the standard test series. The CPU usage test

measures the percentage utilization of the CPU (central process-

ing unit) at various speeds (1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x).
Adds the test to the standard test series. The Burst rate test

measures the maximum possible transmission rate from the opti­cal drive to the computer.

Adds the test to the standard test series. The Spin down test

measures how long it takes an optical drive to stop, while the

Spin up test measures how long it takes before the optical drive

can read data again after stopping.

Adds the test to the standard test series. The Load/eject test

measures the time that an optical drive needs to load, detect, and
eject a disc.

Adds the test to the standard test series. The Extra read tests

test series consists of three tests. One or more sectors
disc are read with defined test samples.

Adds the test to the standard test series. The Create data disc
test is available in its classic version on the Benchmark tab and
as an advanced version on the Create Disc tab. You can use the

classic test to analyze the write speed and the rotational speed
You can use the advanced test to also measure the buffer
and the CPU usage

or seek times of optical drives for discs

on the

.

level

caused by the optical drive.

Check box

Verify data

In the Speed area, you can define the read speed for the Transfer rate test and the write
speed for the Create data disc

recommended for testing the optical drive and/or the discs under worst-case conditions. The
following setting options are available:

Option button

Maximum

Option button

Current

Option button

Selected

Checks the data that was written on the disc during the Create
data disc test.

test. Maximum speed is enabled by default; this speed is also

Selects the maximum speed that an optical drive can achieve.

Selects the current speed of the optical drive. This speed is not
influenced, and can be affected by other system settings, e.g. o­ther software or the firmware

Selects the speed manually. Enter the desired value in the input
field.

Nero DiscSpeed 14

settings.

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

The following setting option is available in the Spin-up time area:

Spin-up time

See also:

 Transfer rate 26
 DAE quality 28
 Access/Seek Times 28
 CPU usage 28
 Burst Rate 29
 Spin Up/Down 29
 Load/Eject 29

Defines the spin-up time.

In order to stabilize the disc and the optical drive, Nero Disc­Speed starts spinning the disc before the actual test starts. The
default setting here is 10 seconds.

4.3 Transfer Rate Navigation Entry

The Transfer Rate navigation entry offers setting options in the Graph and Write options
areas specifically for the Transfer rate test.

Nero DiscSpeed - Options - Transfer Rate navigation entry

Nero DiscSpeed 15

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

You can define the settings for the graph in the Graph area. The following setting options

are available:

Slider

Test length

Check box

Show RPM

Menu

Maximum speedCD/DVD
Maximum speedCD/DVD

Check box

Show minimum/maximum

Check box

Read test

Defines the accuracy of the transfer rate test.

The higher the accuracy, the more detailed the graph is.
However, higher accuracy results in a longer test dura­tion.

Shows the rotational speed

Defines the maximum value shown on the vertical scale

of the graph on the Create Disc tab if a CD/DVD is in-

serted into the optical drive.
To prevent parts of the curve from extending past the

edge of the graph area, we recommend that you choose
a value slightly above the maximum read speed of the
optical drive.

Shows the minimum and maximum speed values re­corded during the transfer rate test.

In a normal curve, the lowest speed is the start speed
while the highest speed is the end speed. In an uneven
curve, the lowest recorded speed is displayed as the mi­nimum value while the highest recorded speed is dis­played as the maximum value.

Shows the read test curve in either high or low resolution.

in the graph.

Check box

Write test

The following setting options are available in the Write options area:

Area

Write mode

Area

Disc type

Check box

Buffer underrun protec­tion

Shows the write test curve in either high or low resolu­tion.

Selects the SAO (Session-At-Once) or TAO (Track-At-

Once)write mode for discs.

You can also enable the Overburn CD and Overburn DVD

check boxes in Session-At Once mode. Enter the exact da­ta quantity in the corresponding input fields.

Enables burning simulation for either data or audio discs.

Enables protection against optical drive buffer underrun

Buffer underrun protection is enabled by default. We rec­ommend that you leave this box checked.

Nero DiscSpeed 16

.

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Check box

Streaming

Check box

Direct overwrite

Check box

Burning an image file

Check box

Include test data

Streaming can more than double the write speed. However,
it can have a negative effect on the quality of the disc, sin­ce the disc is not checked during the burn process and de­fective sectors are not re-written.

This box is cleared by default, in other words verification is
enabled. If this check box is enabled, verification will be di­sabled for DVD-RAM

If this box is checked, rewritable discs will be directly over­written without having to delete old data first.

If this box is not checked, a dialog box will notify you when
a disc containing data is inserted for writing.

If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed will run

through the Create data disc test by creating an image file

(ISO or NRG).

If this check box is not enabled, Nero DiscSpeed will run
through the same test by burning binary data until the ma­ximum capacity of the disc is reached.

If this check box is enabled, additional information about
the test (information on the optical drive, the installed firm­ware, and the burn process graph) will be burned to the
disc.

and Blu-ray discs.

See also:

 Transfer rate 26

Nero DiscSpeed 17

4.4 Access/Seek Times Navigation Entry

The Access/Seek Times navigation entry offers setting options in the Measure and Num­ber of operations areas specifically for the Access/seek times test.

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

The following setting options are available:

Area

Measure

Input field

Number of operations

See also:

 Access/Seek Times 28

Defines which of the two tests will be run - Access times
Seek times

Defines how many times the selected test is run. The higher
the value that you enter, the more accurate the measurement
result is. However, the duration of the test becomes longer if
the test is repeated often. The test is run 100 times by de­fault.

.

Nero DiscSpeed - Options - AccessSeek Times navigation entry

or

Nero DiscSpeed 18

4.5 Save Navigation Entry

Under the Save navigation entry you can specify a storage location and file name that are
automatically selected if you have enabled the Autosave feature.

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

The following setting options are available:

Check box

Autosave

Check box

Include status

Check box

Show file dialog

Button

If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed will automati­cally save all test results, either in CSV or in HTML format.

If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed will not only sa­ve the graph, but also all additional information appearing in
the display area.

If this box is checked, an appropriate dialog box will open be­fore the file is saved. Here you can choose a file name and
specify where the file is to be saved.

If this box is not checked, then all files will be automatically
saved in the specified folder. The file name is automatically
created.

Opens the Find Folder window. Here, you can specify the

folder in which the file should be saved.

Nero DiscSpeed - Options - Save navigation entry

Nero DiscSpeed 19

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Input field

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61

Creates file names based on the following user-defined pa-

rameters: drive name, drive version, date, time, and MID

(Media Identification Code).

You can compile the parameters in any order. Arrange all the
parameters you want in the input field.

If all parameters are cleared from the input field, the file name
cannot be automatically generated.

Only works if the Show file dialog check box is enabled.

4.6 Autorun Navigation Entry

You can configure detailed settings for the autorun feature under the Autorun navigation en-

try.

The following check boxes are available:

Start selected tests automa­tically

Automatically starts the series of tests selected under the

Standard Tests navigation entry as soon as a disc is in-

serted in the optical drive.
If this box is not checked, the test series must be manu-

ally started.

Nero DiscSpeed 20

Nero DiscSpeed - Options - Autorun navigation entry

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Continuously run selected
tests

See also:

 Standard Tests Navigation Entry 13

4.7 Disc Quality Entry

The Disc Quality navigation entry offers setting options for the quality test in the General,
QuickScan, Diagram Margins and Colors.

Defines how many times the tests selected under the

Standard Tests navigation entry will be run.

The following options are available if this box is checked:

Delay between test runs - Defines the length of the de-

lay between two test runs.

Number of test runs - Defines how many times the tests
will be repeated. If the value selected is 0, the tests will

be repeated until you manually stop them.

Nero DiscSpeed - Options - Disc quality navigation entry

The following check boxes are available in the General area:

Determing the speed

The speed the Disc Quality is tested, can change with the

choosed optical drive. The speed is connected to the recorder
model and the installed firmware. If the check box is active, Ne­ro DiscSpeed automatically detects the speed, as soon as the

Disc quality tab in the main screen is selected. If this box is not

checked, the speed must be manually detected.

Nero DiscSpeed 21

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Show error limits

Show statistics
Show disc label

In the QuickScan area you can define the options for the quick scan. The Disc Quality

could be executed as complete scan. You can choose between the quick and the full scan

on the Disc Quality tab. The quick scan only checks defined points on the disc. All other ar-

eas are ignored. As a result, it requires less time than a complete scan but is less accurate.

Measure points

Sample Length

In the Diagram Margins area you can define the maximum scale limits for the graphical rep-

resentation of the error curves. The following setting options are available:

Option button

Automatic

Shows the intervals in the diagram of the graphical representa­tion in colored graduations.

Depending on the optical drive model and the intervals at which
they occur, detected errors can be classed at a glance as per­missible, tolerable, or unacceptable.

Shows a statistical overview of the results at the end of the test.

Shows the disc label on the Disc Quality tab.

Defines how many points on a disc will be checked during the
quick scan.

Defines the size of each scan point in MB.

Automatically adapts the graduated scale values to the number
of errors measured. A value of 10 is defined as the initial value

for both C1 Errors/PI Errors and for C2 Errors/PI Failures.

If more errors are found, Nero DiscSpeed automatically adapts
the scales to the higher value.

Option button

Fix

Selection area

Maximum CD speed

In the Colors area you can define the colors on the Disc Quality tab in the main screen.

The following setting options are available:

Menu

Topic

Button

Background 1

Defines the maximum values on the scales as locked. Enter

the values you want in the C1 Errors/PI Errors and C2 Er-
rors/PI Failures text boxes.

Defines the maximum value that will be displayed in the C1 Er-
rors/PI Errors curve for write and read speeds.

This value is separately defined for CDs and DVDs.

Selects the desired theme. In addition to predefined themes,

you can also set colors with the User-defined entry. To manu-

ally edit a color, click the colored tile and select the color you
want in the dialog box that appears.

Changes the basic color in the background of the graph area.

Nero DiscSpeed 22

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

Button

Background 2

Button

Grid (primary)

Button

Grid (secondary)

C1/PIE
C2/PIF
Jitter
Read speed
Write speed

Check box

Show horizontal grid

Changes the basic color for shading in the background of the
graph area.

Only works when the Background 2 check box is enabled.

Otherwise, the background of the graph area is displayed in
one single color.

Changes the colors for the coarse grid in the graph area.
Only works when at least one of the following check boxes is

enabled: Show horizontal grid and/or Show vertical grid.

Changes the color for the fine grid in the graph area.
Only works when at least one of the following check boxes is

enabled: Show horizontal grid and/or Show vertical grid.

Line signifying the C1 errors

Line signifying the C2 errors

Representation of Jitter

Line signifying the Read speed

Line signifying the write speed

This curve will only be displayed if the Include test data box
has been checked under the Transfer Rate navigation entry.

Shows the horizontal grid lines in the graph area or hides them.
This box is checked by default.

/PI errors in the graph.

PI errors in the graph.

in the graph.

in the graph.

in the graph.

Check box

Show vertical grid

Shows the vertical grid lines in the graph area or hides them.
This box is checked by default.

Nero DiscSpeed 23

4.8 Capture Navigation Entry

The Capture navigation entry offers setting options for saving test results with the help of the

snapshot feature.

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window

The following setting options are available:

Check box

Show file dialog

Menu

Image format

Button

Input field

If this box is checked, an appropriate dialog box will open be­fore the file is saved. Here you can choose a file name and
specify where the file is to be saved.

If this box is not checked, then all files will be automatically
saved in the specified folder. The file name is automatically
created.

Defines the file format in which snapshots are saved. For­mats BMP, PNG, JPG, PNG, and TIFF are available.

Opens the Find Folder window. Here, you can specify the

folder in which the file should be saved.

Creates file names based on the following user-defined pa-

rameters: drive name, drive version, date, time, and MID

(Media Identification Code).

You can compile the parameters in any order. Arrange all the
parameters you want in the input field.

If all parameters are cleared from the input field, the file
name cannot be automatically generated.

Only works if the Show file dialog check box is enabled.

Nero DiscSpeed - Options - Capture navigation entry

Nero DiscSpeed 24

5 Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

All standard tests are run in the main screen on the Benchmark tab. You can run tests indi-

vidually or combined into a test series.

The following standard tests are available:

Transfer rate



DAE quality



Access/Seek T



CPU usage



Burst Rate



Spin Up/Down



Load/Eje



Crea



te Data Disc (Classic Version)

imes

ct

Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

Standard Tests - Benchmark tab

Y find d in the drive in the Disc Type a-

ou will general information on the disc that is inserte

rea, to the rig

Type

Length

ht of the graph. The following display panels are available:

Shows the disc type

For some tests, the results achieved are conditional upon the disc type.

Shows the storage capacity of the disc in the drive. In MB for CD's, in GB for
DVD's.

of the disc in the drive.

Nero DiscSpeed 25

5.1 Transfer rate

The Transfer rate test measures the read speed of data, i.e. the speed at which data is read

from a disc. If the disc inserted is blank, the test measures the write speed
This test is suitable for testing an optical drive and for verifying the readability of burned
discs (CDs or DVDs).
The results are displayed in the form of two curves in the graph. By default, the read speed
is shown as a green line, and the rotational speed or angular velocity
a yellow line.
The horizontal scale shows the storage capacity values (in MB for CD's and in GB for
DVD's). The vertical scales show the read speed on the left and the rotational speed on the
right in RPM
With a dual layer disc
pacity of the disc and a pink one that divides the representation into two sections. Each sec­tion shows the measurement for one layer.

In addition, the test results are displayed in the Speed area, to the right of the graph.

The following display panels are available in the Speed area:

x 1000.

If your main interest is testing optical drives, it is a good idea to use discs that
are slightly damaged.

Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

.

of the disc is shown as

, the graph shows two additional vertical lines: a red one for the full ca-

Current/Average

Start

End

Shows the varying speed over the course of the test. The aver­age speed is displayed here when the test is finished.

Shows the lowest speed determined over the course of the test.
In a normal curve, the lowest speed is also the start speed. In
an uneven curve, the lowest recorded speed is displayed here
as the minimum value.

Shows the highest speed determined over the course of the
test. In a normal curve, the highest speed is reached at the end.
In an uneven curve, the highest recorded speed is displayed
here as the maximum value.

Nero DiscSpeed 26

Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

Type

Shows the type of rotational speed.

A disc can be read with the following types of rotational speed:

CAV (constant angular velocity): With constant angular veloc­ity, the disc rotates at a constant speed, which means the inner

tracks travel at the slowest linear velocity. The linear velocity
increases as you move away from the center towards the outer
edge. The data rate remains constant while the data density
decreases away from the center of the disc.

CLV (constant linear velocity): With constant linear velocity,

the rotational speed of the disc decreases as the laser moves
away from the center of the disc. As a result, both the read
speed and the data density and rate remain constant in all ar­eas of the disc.

ZCLV (zone CLV): If a disc is divided into several CLV zones,

each one of them can be read and above all burned as sepa­rate logical areas by using CLV. 16x speed is a characteristic
value for the innermost zone of a CD, after which the speed can
be increased in stages.

PCAV (partial CAV): In a combination of CAV and CLV, CAV

technology is used in the inner area of the disc. When a certain
linear velocity is reached, CLV technology is switched to to­wards the outer edge of the disc. In other words, the rotational
speed remains constant until the read speed has reached a
maximum value; the read speed then remains at a constant le­vel while the rotational speed decreases.

See also:

 Transfer Rate Navigation Entry 15
 Disc Quality Entry 21

Nero DiscSpeed 27

5.2 DAE quality

The DAE quality test comprises two partial measurements. The DAE quality test results are
displayed in the DAE Quality area.

First, audio areas from three different points on the disc are read and stored on the hard
drive. The same areas are read again and compared with the buffered data. The DAE quality
is awarded a value between 0 and 10 (perfect quality, no differences) depending on the
number of differences counted. The determined value is shown on the display panel.

Next, Nero DiscSpeed checks if the optical drive supports accurate streaming. If the Accu-
rate stream check box is enabled, desired audio files can be precisely located on a disc

whenever necessary.

If your optical drive performs poorly in the test, we recommend that you also
enable a verification feature when ripping

5.3 Access/Seek Times

The Access/seek times test measures the access or seek times of optical drives for discs

inserted in the drive in three partial measurements. The results of all three partial measure-

ments are displayed in the Access times area, to the right of the graph.

Before starting the test, you can use the options to define whether you want to test the ac­cess time or the seek time, as well as how many times you want to run the test.

Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

CD's.

The following partial measurements are performed for seek or access times:

Random
1/3
Full

See also:

 Access/Seek Times Navigation Entry 18

5.4 CPU usage

The CPU usage test measures the percentage utilization of the CPU (central processing u-

nit) at various read

CPU usage area, to the right of the graph.

Moves the read head to a random position on the disc.

Moves the read head from the start of the disc over the first third.

Moves the read head from the start of the disc to its logical end, i.e. to the out­ermost position where data is saved on the disc.

and write speeds (1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x). The results are displayed in the

Nero DiscSpeed 28

5.5 Burst Rate

The Burst rate test measures the maximum possible transmission rate from the optical drive

to the computer.
Since optical drives are usually connected to the IDE channel of a motherboard with the cor­responding cable, the test result in this case shows the transmission speed of the IDE chan­nel.

If the optical drive is connected in a different manner, the test is useful nevertheless. You
can use the result to check whether the connection is fast enough for a high burning speed.

The result of the measurement is shown in the Interface area, to the right of the graph. The
value in the Burst rate display panel should always be greater than the maximum speed of

the optical drive (e.g. greater than 21 MB/s for a DVD burner with 16x write speed

The test results are only meaningful if data from the disc inserted in the drive is
cached. Since many optical drives do not cache audio data on the hard drive,
we recommend using data CD's for this test.

5.6 Spin Up/Down

The Spin down test measures how long it takes an optical drive to stop, while the Spin up

test measures how long it takes before the optical drive can read data again after stopping.
The shorter the two times, the better the result. Faster optical drives have faster spin up/spin
down times.

The results of both measurements are shown at the bottom of the screen, in the display a­rea.

Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

).

5.7 Load/Eject

The Load/eject test measures the time that an optical drive needs to load, detect, and eject

a disc.
The time an optical drive needs to load and/or eject a disc should always be roughly the sa­me, regardless of the disc type
ses the tray and opens it again.

The time an optical drive needs to detect a disc that is inserted in the drive depends on the
disc type. It takes longer to detect a multisession disc
sion.

The results of the measurements are displayed at the bottom of the screen, in the display
area.

. The duration depends on how quickly the optical drive clo-

than a disc containing a single ses-

Nero DiscSpeed 29

5.8 Create Data Disc (Classic Version)

The Create data disc test is available in its classic version on the Benchmark tab and as an
advanced version on the Create Disc tab. You can use the classic test to analyze the write

speed and the rotational speed
level and the CPU usage

The classic test is run on the Benchmark tab, where the result is also displayed. The graph

shows the curve for the write speed
quest.

The classic test is run in accordance with the settings you defined in the options under the

Transfer Rate navigation entry (see ).

. You can use the advanced test to also measure the buffer

caused by the optical drive.

in this case, and the rotational speed of the disc on re-

Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

If you do not want to show the rotational speed

RPM check box in the options under the Transfer Rate navigation entry.

Previously selected binary data is written to a blank disc until the maximum disc capacity is
reached. The number of files written differs according to the disc type
significantly more data than a CD.

If you want to check your data and display the results in the display panel under

the graph, enable the Verify data check box in the options under the Standard

Tests navigation entry.

See also:

 Transfer Rate Navigation Entry 15

5.9 Running an individual Standard Test

The following requirement must be fulfilled:

 The Benchmark tab is selected in the main screen.

To start an individual test, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert an appropriate disc into the optical drive.

in the graph, disable the Show

, since a DVD holds

3. Click the Run Test menu.

 The Run Test menu opens.

Nero DiscSpeed 30

Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

Standard Test - Selection

4. Select the desired test.

 The test is run. You can follow the individual steps of the test process in the display area

under the graph.

You can cancel a running test at any time by clicking the Stop button.

 You can now see the result of the test in the graph and the relevant displays and save it.

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61

Nero DiscSpeed 31

5.10 Running a Standard Test Series

The following requirement must be fulfilled:

 The Benchmark tab is selected in the main screen.

To start more than one test in succession, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Click the button.

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Options window opens.

3. Click the Standard Tests navigation entry.

4. Enable the check boxes for the tests that you want to run and clear the check boxes for all

tests that you do not want to start.

5. Configure further settings for the enabled tests as desired (under the relevant navigation

entrie

nd click the OK button.

s) a

Benchmark Tab - Standard Tests

6. Insert an appropriate di

sc into the optical drive.

7. Click the Start button.

 The test is run. Yo

under the graph.

You can cancel a test in progress at any time by clicking the Stop button.

u can follow the individual steps of the test pro

 You can now see the result of the test in the graph and the relevant displays and save it.

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61
 Nero DiscSpeed Options Window 11

cess in the display area

Nero DiscSpeed 32

6 Create Disc Tab

6.1 Creating a Data Disc (Advanced Version)

The Create data disc test is available as an advanced version on the Create Disc tab and
as a classic version on the Benchmark tab.

You can use the classic test to analyze the read speed and the rotational speed
use the advanced test to also measure the buffer level and the CPU usage caused by the
optical drive.

The advanced test is run on the Create Disc tab, and the result is also displayed here.

The results are displayed on the graph in the form of the following four curves:

Writing Speed



Rotation



Buffer level



CPU usage



The horizontal scale shows the values for disc capacity (in MB for CD's and in GB for
DVD's). The vertical scales show the write speed on the left and the rotational speed on the
right (in RPM
A progress bar between the diagram and the display area shows the burning progress.

x 1000).

Create Disc Tab

. You can

You will find general information on the disc that is inserted in the drive in the
t ght e available:

o the ri of the graph. The following display panels ar

Nero DiscSpeed 33

Create Disc tab

Disc info area,

Create Disc Tab

e Typ
ID
Length

Shows the disc type

Shows the media code of the disc.

Shows th

e recording capacity of the disc in the drive (in MB for CD's and GB for

of the disc in the drive.

DVD's).

As a basic principle, all settings defined in the options apply to the standard

test on the Benchmark tab. All settings a
figured directly on the Create Disc tab.

ffecting the advanced test are con-

The colors in the graph are an exception to this. If you want to change these

colors, you can do so in the options under the User Interface navigation entry.

You can define necessary preferences for the test in the
g he follo

raph. T wing setting options are available:

Defines the speed at which the test is run. The availaMenu

Speed

Check box

Burn image

down menu vary depending on the disc in the drive.

If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed writes an image file that you
have selected

to the recordable disc instead of writing previously defined

Settings area to the right of the

ble entries in the drop-

binary data.

Check box o cre-

Simulate

If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed simulates the process t
ate all the test results instead of writing data on the recordable disc.

The test results are also displayed in the Speed, Buffer, CPU Usage, and Progress areas

t t of th

o the righ e graph. The following areas are available:

Speed

Shows the partial results of the speed test.

Current/Average shows the varying speed over the course

of the test. The

average speed is displayed here when the test is finished.

Start - Shows the lowest speed detected over the course of the test. In a

normal curve, the lowest speed is also the start speed. In an uneven curve,
the lowest recorded speed is displayed here

as the minimum value.

Type - Shows the type of rotational speed.
End - Shows the highest speed determined over the course of the test. In a

normal curve, the highest speed is reached at the end. In an uneven c

urve,

the highest recorded speed is displayed here as the maximum value.

Nero DiscSpeed 34

Create Disc Tab

Buffer

CPU usage

Progress

Shows the percentage usage of the buffer
graphically in the bar and numerically beside it. The values for the minimum
buffer level, the maximum buffer level, and the average buffer level are
listed below from left to right. These values are continuously refreshed over
the course of the test.

If the Show graph check box is enabled, a representation of the buffer leve

is plotted on the graph. The small colored square to the left shows the color
of the line. You can change this color according to your re

options under the User Interface navigation entry.

Shows the CPU usage
merically beside it. The values for the minimum CPU usage, the maximum
CPU usage, and
These values are continuously refreshed over the course of the test.

If the Show graph check box is enabled, a representation of the CPU us-

age is plotted on the graph. T
color of the line. You can chang

in the options under the User Interface navigation entry.
Position continuously indicates the current position of the read head on the

disc during the write process.

Elapsed specifies in minutes and seconds the time elapsed since the write

process started.

during the write test graphically in the bar and nu-

the average CPU usage are listed below from left to right.

he small colored square to the left shows the

e this color according to your requirements

during the write test, both

quirements in the

l

See also:

 Create Data Disc (Classic Version) 30

Nero DiscSpeed 35

6.2 Running the Create Data Disc Test

The following requirement must be fulfilled:

 The Create Disc tab is selected in the main screen.

To start the Create data disc test, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Configure the settings you want in the Settings area to the right of the graph.

3. Insert a blank disc in the optical drive if you are not running a simulation.

4.

Click the Start button.

 The test or burn process is run. Yo

the display area under the graph.

You can cancel a running test at any time by clicking the Stop button.

u can follow the individual steps of the test process in

Create Disc Tab

Always start the test using the button.

As long as you are runni

grayed out. If you click Run Test > Selected, the test is automatically run
the Benchmark tab and the results of the classic version are displayed.

 You ca

them.

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61

n now see the results of the test in the grap

Start

ng this test, the entries in the Run Test menu will be

on

h and the releva

nt displays and save

Nero DiscSpeed 36

7 Disc Info Tab

The Disc Info tab provides detailed information on the disc inserted in the drive. The infor­mation is displayed on the tab in an area divided into: Basic Information, Extended Infor-
mation, and Raw Data.

Disc Info Tab

Disc Info Tab

You can customize the display to meet your requirements by using the check boxes under
the display area. The following check boxes are available:

Basic information

Extended Information

Raw data

Additionally, the following buttons are available under the display area:

Copy Text
Copy HTML

Copies all of the information to the clipboard in text format.

Copies all of the information to the clipboard in HTML format.

If this check box is enabled, the general information in

the Basic Information area is displayed.

If this box is not checked, this information will be hidden.

If this box is checked, the information in the Extended
Information area will be displayed.

If this box is not checked, this information will be hidden.

If this box is checked, the Raw data will be displayed.

If this box is not checked, this information will be hidden.

Nero DiscSpeed 37

Disc Info Tab

You will find general information on the disc in the drive in the Basic Information area. The

following display panels are available:

Disc type
Book type
Manufacturer
MID

Write Speeds

Capacity

You will find further information on the disc in the drive in the Extended Information area.

The following display panels are available:

Layers
Write strategies

Shows the disc type

Shows the book type

Shows the manufacturer's name.

Show the media identification code (MID). The MID identifies the
disc.

Shows all possible burning speeds for the disc in the drive.

This information depends on the firmware
drive, i.e. different recorders can show different options for the
same disc.

Shows the disc capacity both in MSF (minutes/seconds/frames)
and in MB.

Additional capacity achieved through overburning is not incorpo­rated into the calculation.

Shows the number of available layers on the disc.

Checks the intended use of a disc. Some discs have a desig­nated purpose, for example audio CDs, data CD.

of the disc in the drive.

of the disc in the drive.

of the chosen optical

Copyright protection
Disc status

You will find information on binary data that was previously burned to the disc in the Raw

Data area.

Shows whether or not the disc in the drive is copy-protected.

Shows the status of the disc, i.e. whether the disc is still totally
blank, already finalized or can accept more data.

Nero DiscSpeed 38

8 Disc Quality tab

8.1 Quality Test

The Disc Quality test is often referred to as Scan, and can be run on the Disc Quality tab.

You can choose between a quick scan and a complete scan. The quick scan only checks
defined points on the disc. All other areas are ignored. As a result, it requires less time than
a complete scan but is less accurate. This test is particularly useful for burned discs. It can
only be run reliably with a recorder; a simple reader is not sufficient.
The results are displayed in two graphs: the top one shows the results for C1 errors
(for CD's and DVD's respectively), while the bottom one shows the results for C2 errors
failures (for CD's and DVD's respectively). In the top graph, the vertical scales on the left
show the number of C1 errors/PI errors and the vertical scales on the right show the

/read speed. In the bottom graph, the vertical scales on the left show the number of C2

write
errors/PI failures and the vertical scales on the right show the jitter
le in both graphs shows the disc capacity, in MB for CD's and in GB for DVD's.

If you want to omit a protected area from the bottom graph, enable the Use

background to show error limits check box in the options under the Disc
Quality navigation entry.

Disc Quality tab

/PI errors

/PI

value. The horizontal sca-

In addition, both test results and data on the test in progress are shown in the Disc info area
and in a number of other display panels to the right of the graph. In the PI errors, PI Fail-
ures, and Jitter areas under the graph, information on the disc quality is displayed in real­time while the test is run. The number of PO failures is also shown here.

Nero DiscSpeed 39

Disc Quality tab

If the Include test data check box has been enabled in the options under the
Transfer Rate navigation entry, an additional display panel showing information

on the recorder and the firmware

used to burn the disc in the drive is shown

above the graph.

Disc Quality tab

You can define preferences for the test in the Settings area to the right of the graph. In addi­tion, the necessary basic settings in the options under the Disc Quality navigation entry

must be met.
The following setting options are available on the tab:

Menu

Speed

Button

Defines the speed at which the test is run. The available entries in the
drop-down menu vary depending on the disc in the drive.

Refreshes the entries in the drop-down menu of available speeds.

If there are several drives connected to your computer, we recom­mend that you refresh the data once you have chosen the optical
drive for the test.

Input field

Start

Defines the start value from which the test should run. This value can
be manually entered.

Select the value 0000MB to start the test from the beginning of the
disc.

Nero DiscSpeed 40

Disc Quality tab

Input field

End

Check box

Quick Scan

Check box

Show C1/PIE

Check box

Show C2/PIF

Check box

Show Jitter

Check box

Show read
speed

Defines the end value up to which the test should run. This value can
be manually entered.

Nero DiscSpeed suggests a value for the disc in the drive. For a
burned disc, this value may deviate from the maximum capacity, since
the data may either not fill up or exceed the maximum capacity.

If this box is checked, the quick scan will be run as per the settings

you defined in the options under the Disc Quality navigation entry.

If this box is not checked, the entire disc will be scanned.

If this box is checked, the C1 errors/PI errors will be shown.

If this box is not checked, this information will be hidden.

If this box is checked, the C2 errors/PI failures will be shown.

If this box is not checked, this information will be hidden.

If this box is checked, the jitter will be shown. If this box is not
checked, this information will be hidden.

Not all recorders can measure jitter values. Even if this box is
checked, the jitter will not be shown if the recorder in question cannot
measure the values.

If this check box is enabled, the read speed is displayed in the top
graph.

The curve is displayed in red by default. You can change this color

according to your requirements in the options under the Disc quality

navigation entry.

Check box

Show write
speed

Button

Advanced

The Disc info area shows general information on the disc in the drive. The following display

panels are available:

Type
ID

If this check box is enabled, the write speed is displayed in the top
graph.

The curve is displayed in white by default. You can change this color

according to your requirements in the options under the Disc quality

navigation entry.

If the Include test data check box has been enabled in the options
under the Transfer Rate navigation entry, the write speed will have

been recorded on the disc during the burn process and will be avail­able for further tests on the disc. If this box was not checked during
burning, the write speed cannot be displayed as the information will
not have been saved on the disc.

Opens the Disc Quality Test: Advanced Options dialog box.

Shows the disc type

Shows the media code of the disc.

of the disc in the drive.

Nero DiscSpeed 41

Disc Quality tab

Date

Label

There is more information available in the following display panels:

Quality score

Progress

Position

Speed

The C1 Errors or PI Errors area shows information onC1 or PI errors found. If a CD has

been inserted in the optical drive, C1 errors are shown in this area. If a DVD has been in­serted in the optical drive, PI errors are displayed in this area.
The following display panels are available:

Shows the date when the disc was created/burned. If an image file
was burned to the disc, this display panel shows the date on which
the image file was created.

Shows the disc label of the disc in the drive.

If you do not want to show the disc label, disable the Show disc label
box in the options under the Disc Quality navigation entry.

A percentage is calculated based on the results of the test. A quality
index of 100% is perfect, i.e. there were no errors.

Shows the progress of the test, i.e. the percentage of the disc already
scanned.

Continuously indicates the current position of the read head on the
disc.

Shows the scanning speed.

Average
Maximum
Total

The C2 Errors or PI Failures area shows information on C2 errors or PI failures found. If a

CD has been inserted in the optical drive, C2 errors are shown in this area. If a DVD has
been inserted in the optical drive, PI failures are shown in this area.
The following display panels are available:

Average
Maximum
Total

The Jitter area shows information on the jitter. Not all recorders can measure jitter values.

The display panels remain blank if the recorder in question cannot measure the values. The
following display panels are available:

Average
Maximum

Shows the average number of C1 or PI errors found.

Shows the maximum number of C1 or PI errors.

Shows the total number of C1 or PI errors found.

Shows the average number of C2 errors or PI failures found.

Shows the maximum number of C2 errors or PI failures.

Shows the total number of C2 errors or PI failures found.

Shows the average jitter value.

Shows the maximum jitter value.

Nero DiscSpeed 42

Disc Quality tab

The number of PO failures is shown in the PO Failures

errors that can be found on a DVD. PO failures are normally an indication of there being un­readable data on the disc.

See also:

 Disc Quality Entry 21
 Transfer Rate Navigation Entry 15

8.2 Running the Disc Quality Test

The following requirement must be fulfilled:

 The Disc Quality tab is selected in the main screen.

To start the Disc Quality test, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert a disc into the optical drive.

If you want to run the detailed test, i.e. test the entire disc, make sure that the

Quick scan check box is disabled.

3. Configure the settings you want in the Settings area, to the right of the graph.

4. Click the Start button.

 The test is run. You can follow the test processes in the areas under the graphs. You can

cancel the ru

 You ca

them.

nning test at any time by clicking the Stop button.

n now see the results of the test in the graphs and the rel

display panel. These are the gravest

evant displays and save

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61

Nero DiscSpeed 43

9 ScanDisc tab

9.1 Scan Disc

The Scan Disc test is available on the Scan Disc tab, where the result is also displayed. It
can be run in two versions: as a read test and as a C1/C2 – PI/PO test.
You can use the Read test to test optical drives and/or burned discs. The test checks

whether burning was successful and whether all areas can be read.

If you want to test burned discs, we recommend that you set the test speed to
maximum. You will then be testing the disc under worst-case conditions.

The C1/C2 - PI/PO test lets you check the quality of the disc with respect to completeness of

the sectors. It must be noted that this test is different from the disc quality test, even if the

latter is similar to the C1/C2 - PI/PO test. The results from the C1/C2 - PI/PO test are dis-

played differently in the graph. Instead of the number of errors, the status of the sectors is
shown.
The test results of both versions are displayed both in a graph and in detail in the display pa­nel below the graph. In addition, both the test results and data on the test in progress are

shown in the Disc info, Surface scan, and Position areas to the right of the graph.

ScanDisc tab

ScanDisc tab

You can define preferences for the test in the Settings area to the right of the graph. The

following setting options are available:

Nero DiscSpeed 44

ScanDisc tab

Menu

Speed

Option button

Defines the speed at which the test is run. The available entries in
the drop-down menu vary depending on the disc in the drive.

Enables the Read test.

Read test

Option button

Enables the C1/C2 – PI/PO test.

C1/C2 - PI/PO Test

The graph shows all sectors on the disc in one chart, with each sector being plotted with a
small square. Each square, i.e. each sector, is displayed in a different color depending on its

status. The Surface scan area shows the respective percentage of sectors in the following
three categories: Good, Damaged, and Bad in real time while the test is running. The follo-

wing colors, i.e. status indicators, are available:

Green
Yellow

Readable sectors with no errors.

Damaged sectors that can still be read using the recorder's internal error cor­rection feature.

Red

Damaged sectors that cannot be corrected and are consequently unreadable.

The Disc info area shows general information on the disc in the drive. The following display

panels are available:

Type
ID
Date

Shows the disc type

Shows the media code of the disc.

Shows the date when the disc was created/burned. If an image file was bur-

of the disc in the drive.

ned to the disc, this display panel shows the date on which the image file was
created.

Label

Shows the disc label of the disc in the drive.

If you do not want to show the disc label, disable the Show disc label box in
the options under the Disc Quality navigation entry.

If the Include test data check box has been enabled in the options under the
Transfer Rate navigation entry, an additional display panel showing information

on the recorder and the firmware

used to burn the disc in the drive is shown

above the graph.

The following display panels are available in the Position area while the test is running:

Progress

Shows the progress of the test, i.e. the percentage of the disc already
scanned.

Position

Continuously indicates the current position of the read head on the
disc.

Speed

Shows the scanning speed.

Nero DiscSpeed 45

The following information is available in the columns in the display panel:

ScanDisc tab

File
Position
Length
Quality

PIE

PIF

POE

POF

Jitter

See also:

 Transfer Rate Navigation Entry 15

Lists the names of the files on the disc in the drive.

Shows the respective position of the file on the disc.

Shows the length of the individual files.

Specifies the quality of the files. This score is calculated from the number of
errors found.

Specifies the number of PI errors

Only available for the C1/C2 – P1/PO test.

Specifies the number of PI failures found.

Only available for the C1/C2 – P1/PO test.

Specifies the number of PO errors

Only available for the C1/C2 – P1/PO test.

Specifies the number of PO failures

Only available for the C1/C2 – P1/PO test.

Specifies the jitter values
Only available for the C1/C2 – P1/PO test. Not all recorders can measure jitter

values. This column is omitted if the recorder in question cannot measure the
values.

.

found.

found.

found.

9.2 Running the ScanDisc Test

The ScanDisc test can be run in two versions: as a read test and as a C1/C2 – PI/PO test.

The following requirement must be fulfilled:

 The ScanDisc tab is selected in the main screen.

To start the ScanDisc test, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert a disc into the optical drive.

3. Select the speed with which you want to run the test from the Speed drop-down menu.

4. If you want to run the test as a read test, select the Read test option button.

If you want to run the test as a C1/C2 - PI/PO test, select the C1/C2 - PI/PO test option but-

ton.

Nero DiscSpeed 46

ScanDisc tab

5. Click the Start button.

 The test is run. You can follow the test processes in the areas under and next to the

graph. You can cancel the running test at any time by clicking the Stop button.

 You can now see the results of the test in the graphs and the relevant displays and save

them.

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61

Nero DiscSpeed 47

10 Advanced DAE Quality Test

The Advanced DAE Quality Test is different from the standard DAE Quality test. With a

special test disc, the advanced test identifies problems that your optical drive may have
when reading an audio CD.
You can run the test in two steps, depending on whether you first want to create a test CD
and then test it or you already have a suitable test disc with which you can start the test di­rectly.

In addition, the Error test lets you determine the capabilities of an optical drive to prevent er­rors when creating a copy.

See also:

 Creating a Test Disc 50
 Running the Advanced DAE Quality Test 52

10.1 Nero DiscSpeed Window - DAE Test Disc

You can create a test disc in the Nero DiscSpeed - DAE Test Disc window.

You can define preferences for the burn process in the top area of the window. Information

on the write process in progress and on the disc in the drive is displayed in the Write posi-
tion and Disc information areas as well as in the display area at the bottom of the window.

Advanced DAE Quality Test

Nero DiscSpeed Window - DAE Test Disc

Nero DiscSpeed 48

The following setting options are available:

Advanced DAE Quality Test

Menu

Write speed

Input field

Test capacity

Check box

Simulate

Check box

RAW mode

The following information on the write process in progress is displayed in the Write position

area:

Position

Relative

The following information on the disc in the drive is displayed in the Disc information area

and in the display area:

Defines the speed at which the disc is burned. We recommend that
you choose a speed of 16x or less when burning an audio CD.

Shows the disc capacity in MSF (minutes/seconds/frames).

If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed simulates the burn
process rather than writing data to the recordable disc. This box is
checked by default and cannot be cleared.

If this box is checked, the disc will be burned in RAW mode.

Continuously indicates the current position of the read head on the
disc.

Always indicates the percentage of the disc that has already been
written.

Indicates the burn progress.

Capacity

Manufacturer
Dye type
Disc type

Shows the disc capacity both in MSF (minutes/seconds/frames) and in
MB.

Maximum specifies the maximum volume of data that can be written to

the disc with the help of additional capacity achieved through overburn­ing.

Extra - Shows the difference between normal capacity and maximum

capacity.

Shows the manufacturer's name.

Shows the dye type

Shows the disc type

used.

of the disc in the drive.

Nero DiscSpeed 49

Advanced DAE Quality Test

10.2 Creating a Test Disc

To create a test disc, proceed as follows:

1. Insert an empty CD into the recorder.

2. Click Extra > Advanced DAE Quality Test > Create Test CD.

 The Nero DiscSpeed DAE Test Disc window opens.

3. want in the top part of the window. Make the settings you

4. Click the Start button.

 The burn process starts. You can monitor the progress of the burn process in the Write

position and Disc information areas, as well as in the display area underneath.

 You have created a test disc and can now use it to run the advanced DAE quality test.

See also:

 Running the Advanced DAE Quality Test 52

10.3 Nero DiscSpeed window - Advanced DAE Quality Test

In the Nero DiscSpeed - Advanced DAE Quality Te

DAE quality test, and the result is also shown there.

The results are displayed in the Test results and On-the-fly copying areas, as well as in

detail in the display area. A
the test while it is running.

In the On-the-fly copying area, the test determines whether an audio CD can be copied

without causing errors at various speeds between 1x and 16x, i.e. indicates if the optical
drive is suitable for use on-the-fly

The results of two tests are displayed in the Test results area: the Sequential read test and
the Random read test. The sequential read test simulates the digital extraction of audio files

) under ideal conditions and then runs a harmonic read test. This test helps you to iden-

(DAE
tify errors on the disc. There are two different types of error.
A search for data errors returns audio samples that were not read correctly, based on a
comparison of the read bytes with the known data from the test disc. Minor data errors can
be corrected using the drive's error correction feature. The most common cause of data er­rors is poor-q
drive speed.
Synchronization errors occur when, instead of reading the required audio sectors, an optical
drive reads the adjacent sectors. Nero DiscSpeed uses special data on the test disc to check
if the correct sectors are being read. Synch
or repeated. These errors can be audible.

uality discs. Avoid data errors by using high-quality discs and/or reducing the

progress bar at the bottom of the window indicates the status of

in combination with a recorder for backing up audio discs.

ronization errors can result in samples being lost

st wind

ow, you can run the advanced

Nero DiscSpeed 50

Advanced DAE Quality Test

Nero DiscSpeed window - Advanced DAE Quality Test

You can define preferences for the optical drive test in the Advanced features area. Optical

drives start from different positions when reading audio sectors. There is also no standard­ized start position for the write process of recorders - there is usually a gap of a few hundred
samples. The following check boxes are available:

Read Leadin

If this check box is enabled, the capability of the optical drive of read­ing the leadin

is tested. To create perfect copies, an optical drive

should begin reading data before the actual start position.

Read Leadout

If this check box is enabled, the capability of the optical drive of read­ing the leadout

is tested. To create perfect copies, an optical drive

should read data from the leadout.

Read CD Text

Read Subchan­nel Data

If this check box is enabled, the capability of the drive of reproducing
CD Text

If this check box is enabled, the subchannel data

is tested.

is read during the

test.

Subchannel data contains information such as index markers. An op­tical drive must be able to reproduce this data if it is to create perfect
audio copies.

The following information is available in the Test results area:

Nero DiscSpeed 51

Advanced DAE Quality Test

Average Speed
Data Errors
Sync Errors

Quality score

Calculates and shows the average speed of the completed test.

Lists the data errors found.

Shows the number of synchronization errors found.

Synchronization errors occur when data is correct but has been mo­ved by one or more sectors.

A percentage is calculated based on the results of the test. A quality
index of 100% is perfect, i.e. there were no errors.

10.4 Running the Advanced DAE Quality Test

The following requirement must be fulfilled:

 You have already created a test disc.

To run the test, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert the special test disc that you previously created into the optical drive.

3. Click Extra > Advanced DAE Quality Test > Run Test on the menu bar.

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Advanced DAE Quality Test window opens.

4. Make the settings you want in the Advanced features area.

5. Click the Start button.

 The test is run. You can cancel a running test at any time by clicking the Stop button.
 You can now see the results of the test in the Test results and On-the-fly co

eas, a

s well as their detailed information in the display area, and save them.

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61
 Creating a Test Disc 50

pying ar-

Nero DiscSpeed 52

10.5 Error test

The Error test determines the capability of a optical drive to prevent errors when creating a
copy. The test is run in two steps: The Create Image feature first creates an image file of
your test disc and saves it on the hard drive. After this, the Run Test feature reads the data

on your test disc in order to compare it with the image file.

To run this test you need a standard test disc of the type A-BEX (TCD-714R, TCD-721R, or
TCD-726). All A-BEX discs

various A-BEX discs contains a series of intentional defects of varying severity.

Instead of using an A-BEX disc, you can also run a limited version of the test by using a DAE
test disc that you have previously created. It is not necessary to create an image file in this
case, since Nero DiscSpeed is familiar with the contents of the comparison disc.

See also:

 Creating a Test Disc 50
 Create Image 55

10.5.1 Advanced DAE Error Correction Test Window

The Error test is run in the Nero DiscSpeed - Advanced DAE Error Correction Test win-

dow.

The results are displayed in the C2 errors and Compare errors graphs, as well as in the

display areas underneath, while the test is still in progress. The top graph shows C2 errors
found on the disc. The bottom graph compares the errors found when Nero DiscSpeed com­pares the data on the disc with the data from the image file.

Advanced DAE Quality Test

contain the same data (audio data). The reading surface of the

Nero DiscSpeed 53

Advanced DAE Quality Test

Nero DiscSpeed window- Advanced DAE Error Correction Test

The following fields are available in the areas below the graphs:

Position

Continuously indicates the current position of the read head on the
disc over the course of the write process.

Elapsed

Specifies in minutes and seconds the time elapsed since the write
process started.

C2 accuracy

The C2 accuracy of the optical drive is determined based on the re­sults of the test.

Quality score

A percentage is calculated based on the results of the test. A quality
index of 100% is perfect, i.e. there were no errors.

C2 errors
C2 missed
Compare errors

Shows the number of C2 errors found.

Shows the number of C2 errors missed.

Shows the number of compare errors found.

Compare errors occur when the audio data read out does not match
the compare data from the image file.

Sync Errors

Shows the number of synchronization errors found.

Synchronization errors occur when data is correct but has been mo­ved by one or more sectors.

Nero DiscSpeed 54

Advanced DAE Quality Test

10.5.2 Create Image

The Create Image feature lets you extract data from an A-BEX disc in order to create an er-

ror-free image file on the hard drive - provided the optical drive can create the file from the
data provided.

To create an image file of the test disc, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert an A-BEX disc in the optical drive.

3. Click > > > . Extra Advanced DAE-Quality Test Error Tests Create Image

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Advanced DAE - Create Image window opens.

4. Click the Start button.

 The image file of the test disc is created. You can follow the progress of the write proc-

ess with e
button.

the prog

 A dialog box opens that informs you whether the image file has been successfully cre-

ated. You have created an image file of the test disc and can no

the second part of the error test, Run Test.

See also:

 Running the Test with an A-BEX Test Disc 55

ress bar, and can cancel the process at any time by clicking th Stop

w use it to pro

ceed with

10.5.3 Running the Test with an A-BEX Test Disc

The Run Test feature reads the data on an A-BEX disc and compares it to an image file of

the s

ame disc

The following requirement must be fulfilled:

 The image file of the test disc must be saved on the hard drive.

To compare the test disc to the associated image file on the hard drive, proceed as follows:

. This test ensures that the cop

y created is perfect.

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert an A-BEX disc whose image file is already on the hard drive into

the optical drive.

3. Click Extra > Advanced DAE Quality Test > Error Test > Run Test.

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Advanced DAE Error Correction Test window opens.

C2 er

4. Some optical drives sho in reverse order. If you want to correct this, enable the

Rev

erse C2

check box

w

.

rors

5. Click the Start button.

 The test is run. The graphs and the areas underneath indicate the progress. You can

cancel a running test at any time by clicking the Stop button.

 You can now see the results of the test in the graphs and the relevant displays and save

them.

Nero DiscSpeed 55

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61
 Create Image 55

Advanced DAE Quality Test

10.5.4 Test Disc

Running the Test with a DAE

Instead of using an A-BEX disc, you can also run a limited version of the Error test by using

test disc that you have previous

a DAE
image file, since Nero DiscSpeed alrea

To run the te

st, proc

eed as follows:

ly created. In this case it is not necessary to create an
dy knows the content of the comparison disc.

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert a DAE disc in the o

ptical drive.

3. Click Extra > Advanced DAE Quality Test > Run Test.

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Advanced DAE Error Correction Test window opens.

w C2 errors

4. Some optical drives in reverse order. If you want to correct this, enable the

Reverse C2

5. Click the St

 The test is run. You can

 You can now see the resu

them.

See also:

 Saving Test Data 61
 Creating a Test Disc 50

check box.

art button.

sho

cancel a running test at any time by clickin

lts of the test in the graphs and the rel

evant displays and save

g the Stop button.

Nero DiscSpeed 56

11 Overburning test

Not all recorders support overburning.

Note that overburning can damage an optical drive. To prevent damage to the
optical drive, you should only use this feature with suitable discs.

Overburning test

Note that a disc whose leadout

has been written to no longer conforms to the
standard specification for CDs, and therefore may not be detected by some re­aders.

Overburning is the process of writing data past the official capacity of the disc in the CD's
leadout area

. The actual purpose of the leadout area is to define where the disc ends. By fill­ing part of the leadout with data instead of zeros it is possible to increase the disc's capacity.
Usually it is possible to overwrite the 90 seconds of the leadout without any difficulty. None­theless there is a high probability that the data will become unreadable since the area was
originally intended for storing only zeros and is at the outer edge of the disc. This part of the
disc is more likely to become damaged or soiled.
Overburning is also possible, although not advisable, with DVD's. The outer edge of DVD's is
more susceptible to errors. Furthermore only a small number of DVD recorders support this
feature.

The Overburning Test feature lets you run a simulation of the overburn process and test

whether or not the recorder is suitable for this process. Nero DiscSpeed also checks how
much data can be written to the disc being used.

If you want to test the overburn capability of a disc and your recorder in a real

burn process, enable the Overburn CD or Overburn DVD (depending on the
disc type) check box under the Transfer Rate navigation entry, in the Nero

DiscSpeed – Options window.

After this, start the Create data disc standard test.

See also:

 Transfer Rate Navigation Entry 15
 Create Data Disc (Classic Version) 30

Nero DiscSpeed 57

11.1 Nero DiscSpeed - Overburning Test window

The overburn process simulation is run in the Nero DiscSpeed - Overburning Test window.
The results are displayed in the same window, in the Write position and Disc information

areas, as well as in the display area at the bottom of the window.

Overburning test

Nero DiscSpeed - Overburning Test window

You can define preferences for the test in the top section of the window. The following set­ting options are available:

Menu

Write speed

Input field

Test capacity

Check box

Simulate

Check box

RAW mode

Defines the speed at which burning of the disc is simu­lated.

We recommend that you choose a speed of 16x or less
when burning an audio CD.

Shows the disc capacity in MSF (min­utes/seconds/frames).

If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed simulates
the burn process rather than writing data to the record­able disc. This box is checked by default and cannot be
cleared.

If this box is checked, the burn process will be simulated
in RAW mode.

Nero DiscSpeed 58

Overburning test

The following information on the burn process simulation in progress is displayed in the Wri-

te position area:

Position

Relative

The following information on the disc that is inserted in the drive is displayed in the Disc in­formation area and in the display area

Capacity

Shows the disc capacity both in MSF (minutes/seconds/frames) and in
MB.

Maximum specifies the maximum volume of data that can be written to

the disc with the help of additional capacity achieved through overburn­ing.

Extra - Shows the difference between normal capacity and maximum

capacity.

Continuously indicates the current position
of the read head on the disc.

Always indicates the percentage of the disc
that has already been written.

Shows the progress of the simulated burn
process:

Green – Data written within the disc's nor-

mal capacity.

Yellow – Data written past the disc's normal

capacity.

Dark green – Buffer status.
Blue – Standard, official disc capacity.
Red – Current position of the read head on

the disc.

Manufacturer
Dye type
Disc type

Shows the manufacturer's name.

Shows the dye type

Shows the disc type

Nero DiscSpeed 59

used.

of the disc in the drive.

11.2 Running the Overburning Test

To run the overburning test as a simulation, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert a blank disc in the optical drive.

3. Click Extra > Overburning Test.

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Overburning Test window opens.

Overburning test

4. If you want to simulate the burn process in RAW mode, enable the RAW mode check box

5. Choose the volume of data

mine the official capacit

y.

that you want

to write to the disc or let Nero DiscSpee

d deter-

6. Click the Start button.

 The simulation is started. You can follow the progress of the burn process in the Write

a unde

position and Disc information areas, as well as in the display are
can cancel a running test at any time by clicking the Stop button

 A dialog box specifying the maximum detected capacity opens.

verbu

7. If you w

button.

ant to add the detected value to the internal o

rning database, click the Yes

 If a disc of the same type is inserted again, Nero DiscSpeed will detect i

the results stored in the database can be displayed in the d

8. If you want to discard the detected value

, click the No button.

isplay ar

 You have run the overburning test.

.

rneath. You

t in this way, and

ea.

.

Nero DiscSpeed 60

12 Saving Test Data

The Save Results menu item lets you save the full set of results from a test on the hard

drive.

Nero DiscSpeed offers different storage formats:

Only test data saved as binary files with the *.dat extension can be loaded a-

gain. Use this format if you want to open the test data in Nero DiscSpeed
and/or open and compare the test data in the Nero DiscSpeed database.

An *.html file that you can open with any Web browser saves the results as a
graph. In the Options window, under the Save navigation entry, you can define
how much data will be saved in the file. If the Include status check box is en-

abled, the diagram and all other test results are saved; if it is cleared, only the
graph is saved.

A *.csv file saves the test results in a pure text file that you can open with any

text editor.

The following requirements have to be fulfilled:

 The test you want has already been run.
 The results are displayed on the corresponding tab in the main screen.

Saving Test Data

To save the test results, proceed as follows:

1. Click File > Save Results and choose your preferred storage format.

 The Save As window appears.

2. Enter a file name in the File name input field if necessary.

3. Save button. Click the

 You have saved the test file.

See also:

 Save Navigation Entry  19

Loading Test Data 62

Nero DiscSpeed 61

13 Loading Test Data

The Load Single File menu item lets you load saved test data, while the Database menu

item lets you load several files at once in order to compare test results and/or the efficiency
of optical drives.

Only test data saved as binary files with the *.dat extension can be loaded a­gain.

To load test results, proceed as follows:

1. If you want to open a single saved test file:

1. Click File > Load Results > Load Single File.

2. Select the file you want and click the Open button.

In order to make effective use of the database, i.e. to get comparable results,
you should use the same disc for the different tests in all optical drives.

 The Open window appears.

 The chosen file is opened in the main screen on the Benchmark tab and the test da-

ta is displayed.

Loading Test Data

2. If you want to load several files at once for comparison:

1. Click File > Load Results > Database in the menu bar.

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Database window opens.

2. Click the Add Results button.

 The Insert Files dialog box opens.

3. Select the files you want and click the Open button.

 The test files are imported and displayed in the Nero DiscSpeed – Database win-

dow.

4. Check the boxes beside the files you want to compare.

5. In the lower part of the window, select the option button for the test type for which you

want to compare data.

 The results of the chosen test are displayed for the chosen test files.

Nero DiscSpeed 62

Loading Test Data

6. Click the Graph

 The Nero DiscSpeed Test Results window is opened and shows a graph of the se-

lected test results. The results for each test file are displayed in a different color (the

Legend area shows which graph corresponds to which test).

button.

 You have loaded your chosen test results.

Nero DiscSpeed - Test Results window

Nero DiscSpeed 63

14 Erasing a Disc

The Erase Disc feature lets you erase data from rewritable discs. This operation is run in the
Nero DiscSpeed - Erase window. As a general rule, there are two erase methods available:

Quick erasing does not remove the data physically from the disc, but instead only makes it
inaccessible by erasing the references to existing content. The data can be restored!

Full erasing removes the data from the disc by overwriting it with zeroes. The contents can­not be restored with conventional methods. Repeated full erasing increases the probability
that third parties will not be able to reconstruct the contents.

To erase a rewritable disc, proceed as follows:

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Insert the disc that you want to erase into the optical drive.

3. Click Extra > Erase Disc.

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Erase window opens.

Erasing a Disc

Nero DiscSpeed - Erase window

4. Select the option button for the erase method you want.

5. Click the Erase button.

 The erase procedure starts. You can cancel the erase process in progress at any time by

clicking the Exit button.

 You can track the progress of the erase process with the progress bar.

Nero DiscSpeed 64

15 Bit Setting

The Bitsetting feature lets you change the bit settings or Book type of a selected DVD re­corder in the Nero DiscSpeed - Bit Setting window(provided the recorder in question sup-

ports this feature).
The book type
changing the book type, you can fool the player into believing that the inserted DVD is a
pressed disc and not a burned disc.

Not all DVD recorders can modify the book type. What's more, the book type can only be
changed for "plus" media (e.g. +R). With other media types, the book type is already on the
disc before the burn process.

15.1 Nero DiscSpeed - Bit Setting Window

Bit settings and book type modifications are carried out in the Nero DiscSpeed - Bit Setting

window.

information is what an optical drive uses to detect the inserted disc type. By

Bit Setting

Nero DiscSpeed - Bit Setting window

The Drive settings area shows the defined book type, as well as all the changes that can be

made. The following information is displayed:

Nero DiscSpeed 65

Bit Setting

Disc type
Book type

The following setting options are available:

Menu

New setting

Button

Set

Check box

Set as default

The Disc settings area shows the disc type currently selected and the selected book type.

Shows which new settings can be selected for the book type.
Media types not supported by the chosen optical drive are grayed

out.

Accepts the changes made.

If this check box is enabled, the chosen changes will be retained
as the default settings for the optical drive even after the com­puter is restarted.

This check box will be grayed out if the optical drive does not
support this feature.

15.2 Changing the Bit Setting

To edit the bit settings for a DVD recorder, proceed as follows:

Shows the disc type

Shows the book type

of the disc in the drive.

of the disc in the drive.

1. If there are several optical drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu.

2. Click Extra > Bitsetting.

 The Nero DiscSpeed - Bit Setting window opens. The Drive settings area shows the

disc types

, as well as the respective book types.

3. Change a book type in the corresponding New setting drop-down menu and click the Set

button.

4. If you want to retain the modified book type setting as the default setting for the optical drive,

enable the Set as de

fault che

ck box.

5. Click the Refresh button.

 The display in the window will be refreshed. The Drive settings are

pes and the modified

book types as a selection under Book Type.

a show

s the disc ty-

6. Click the Close button.

 You have changed the bit settings for a DVD recorder.

Nero DiscSpeed 66

16 Technical Information

16.1 System requirements

Nero DiscSpeed is installed along with the Nero Suite. Its system requirements are the sa­me. You can find more detailed information on the system requirements under

www.nero.com

.

Technical Information

Nero DiscSpeed 67

17 Glossary

A-BEX-Disc

Eine A-BEX-Disk ist eine Test-DVD, die eingesetzt wird, um die Fehlerkorrektur eines opti­schen Laufwerkes zu testen. Hierbei ist die Test-DVD bereits ab Werk mit Fehlern, wie Krat­zern oder Fingerabdrücken versehen, um eine Testreferenz darzustellen.

Access Time

The access time is the time a drive needs to move the read head to a specific position on the
disc that is inserted in the drive and to additionally read an area of the disc. In other words,
the access time encompasses the seek time and in addition the period of time for reading a
specific area.

Blu-ray

Blu-ray technology refers to burning on special data carriers. In comparison to DVD's, which
use a red laser in order to read and write data, Blu-ray discs are written with a blue laser.
The shorter wavelength (405 nm) of this blue laser makes it possible to position the laser
with greater accuracy. Data can be written in a more compact manner and takes up less
space on the disc. A Blu-ray disc can store up to 25 GB on a single layer disc and up to 50
GB on a dual layer disc.

Glossary

Book Type

The book type defines the specification (e.g. DVD-, DVD+, DVD-ROM) of a DVD. In order to
ensure correct playback, the DVD specifications are defined in books so that all media can
be read correctly. The specifications are defined in the so-called Rainbow Books, which are
distinguished by means of their color (e.g. Yellow Book).

Buffer

A buffer refers to temporary memory that records and delivers data that cannot be processed
immediately as required. The buffer also allows for continuous data flow.

C2 errors

A C2 error describes the error rate on the lower layers of a burned CD that are automatically
corrected during reading. Every recordable disc features these errors; the fewer they are, the
better the quality. High C2 error rates indicate burn problems or quality flaws.

CD Text

CD Text consists of additional information on a CD that can store e.g. music track titles and
artists. CD Text is stored in the so-called lead-in area of the CD before the audio data starts.
The display on the CD player shows the additional data. You must have a CD burner which
supports CD Text to enable the CD Text to be written to a CD. In particular, CD Text can on­ly be written in disc-at-once mode.

CPU usage

The central processing unit processes a computer's processes. The higher the computing
performance, the higher the load of the CPU and its performance.

Nero DiscSpeed 68

Glossary

DAE quality

DAE (Digital Audio Extraction) refers to the process of reading audio files with a drive. DAE
quality indicates how well a drive reads data on a CD.

Disc type

Disc type refers to different optical storage media with different specifications. The best
known are CD's and DVD's that can be written to once or multiple times, and which are ma­nufactured with different storage capacities.

Dual Layer Disc

A dual layer disc refers to a DVD that uses two layers on one side, which increases its stor­age capacity.

DVD-RAM

Digital Versatile Disc Random Access Memory is the first rewritable data carrier format de­veloped. It is characterized by a distribution of sectors that makes it possible to achieve in­creased data integrity, quicker formatting, and improved error management in comparison to
DVD+/-RW.

Dye type

There are different materials of different colors that are used to produce storage media. The
laser-sensitive and data-carrying dye layer can e.g. be made of phthalocyanine or formazan.

Firmware

Firmware is software that has been installed on hardware during production (e.g. recorder,
USB device, etc.). It is used for communication between the respective hardware and other
software, e.g. when a USB device is connected to a PC.

Jitter

Jitter refers to an abrupt and undesired change in the signal characteristics. Small gaps oc­cur in the data stream as a result. Audio correction synchronizes the data by overlapping the
sectors. This way, the gaps are not audible.

Lead-in

The leadin is the starting area (innermost area) of user data on a data carrier. This is where
the table of contents and additional information concerning the disc is stored.

Lead-out

The leadout is the ending area of user data on a data carrier that is used to close a session.
If the disc has not been completed yet, the reference for the next session is stored here.

Multisession Disc

A multisession disc can contain several sessions that are not fixed. This way, more data can
be added in new sessions at a later point in time, and the disc is not closed until it is full.

Nero DiscSpeed 69

Glossary

On-the-fly

The name on-the-fly describes a burn process for discs. In this process, data is written to the
disc directly from an image.

PI Errors

Parity of inner code is part of the structure of a DVD's data block, and is used for error cor­rection purposes. If a PI in a DVD cannot be read, one speaks of a PI error.

PO Errors

The parity of outer code is part of the structure of the data block of a DVD and is used for er­ror correction purposes. If a PO on a DVD cannot be read, one speaks of a PO error.

Read Speed

The read speed of a drive is a factor of the speed that the laser needs in order to read the
data on an optical storage medium, e.g. 8x or 16x speed.

Ripping

Ripping refers to the process of extracting audio or video data from an optical storage me­dium onto a computer's hard drive in order to process it.

Rotational speed

Discs can be read and/or burned in different ways. As a general rule, the reading process in
optical drives starts at the radius of the disc and moves from the center outwards. The two
standards used to define the types of rotational speed are linear velocity and angular veloc­ity. With constant angular velocity, the tracks at the center of the disc always travel at the
slowest linear velocity. The linear velocity increases as you move away from the center to­wards the outer edge. Angular velocity (also called rotational speed) describes the change in
the rotation angle over time independently of the radius of the disc, i.e. the velocity at which
an object loops a sector.

RPM

Revolutions per minute (RPM) is an English unit that is used in mechanics to represent rota­tional speed. It indicates the number of complete revolutions per minute.

Search Time

The seek time is the time the drive needs to move the read head to a specific position on the
disc that is inserted in the drive. In other words, the seek time encompasses the period of
time between the arrival of a write or read command and commencement of the actual write
or read process.

Sector

A sector is the smallest addressable information unit on a CD-ROM. A sector is composed of
2,352 bytes, of which - depending on the type of CD used - different amounts are available
as user data. A sector generally consists of a header, synchronization bits and user data. It
may also have error recognition and correction data.

Nero DiscSpeed 70

Glossary

Streaming

Streaming refers to the continuous transmission of data that can already be played during
the transmission procedure. This means that it is not necessary to wait until a media file has
been transmitted completely before it can be played back. A TV channel can be received
and displayed at the same time without it first having to be saved to the hard drive.

Subchannel data

Subchannel data on a disc contains additional information, such as CD Text or information
on positions.

Write Speed

The write speed indicates the speed at which a drive can write data to the optical storage
medium, e.g. 8x or 16x speed.

Nero DiscSpeed 71

18 Index

Index

A

Access/Seek Times ........................ 18, 28

Access/Seek Times Test ................ 18, 28

Additional tests. 48, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57,
58, 60

Advanced DAE Quality Test .... 48, 50, 52,

55, 56

Angular velocity..................................... 26

Autorun.................................................. 20

Autosave ............................................... 19

B

Benchmark tab .......................... 10, 25, 30

Bit Settings ...................................... 65, 66

Book type ........................................ 65, 66

Burst rate test........................................ 29

C

C1/C2 - PI/PO Test ............................... 44

Capture ................................................. 24

Changing Bit Settings ........................... 66

Colors.................................................... 21

Conventions, manual .............................. 5

CPU usage............................................ 28

CPU usage test..................................... 28

Create data disc........................ 30, 33, 36

Create data disc test ....................... 30, 33

Create Disc tab ......................... 10, 33, 36

Create Image .................................. 53, 55

Creating a DAE Test Disc ............... 48, 50

D

DAE quality ........................................... 48

Database......................................... 61, 62

Disc Info Tab ......................................... 10

Disc Quality ........................................... 21

Disc Quality tab ......................... 10, 39, 43

E

Erasing a Disc ....................................... 64

Error test ............................. 48, 53, 55, 56

L

Language .............................................. 11

Launching the Program........................... 6

Linear velocity ....................................... 26

Load/Eject ............................................. 29

Load/eject test....................................... 29

Loading Test Data................................. 62

M

Main Screen ............................................ 7

Manual, conventions ............................... 5

N

Nero DiscSpeed - Bit Setting window ... 66
Nero DiscSpeed - Bit Setting Window .. 65

Nero DiscSpeed - Database window .... 62

Nero DiscSpeed - Erase window .......... 64

Nero DiscSpeed - Overburning Test

window ............................................ 58, 60

Nero DiscSpeed Options Window......... 11

Nero DiscSpeed window - Advanced DAE

Error Correction Test ............................ 53

Nero DiscSpeed window - Advanced DAE

Quality Test ..................................... 50, 52

Nero DiscSpeed Window - DAE Test Disc

........................................................ 48, 50

Nero DiscSpeed window- Advanced DAE

Error Correction Test ...................... 55, 56

O

Options........ 11, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24

Overburning test........................ 57, 58, 60

Q

Quality Test ........................................... 39

R

Read speed.....................................

Read test

Rotational speed ............................. 26, 33

Running a test series ............................ 32

Running the Advanced DAE Quality Test

............................................... 44

13, 26

Nero DiscSpeed 72

Index

.............................................................. 52

Running the quality test ........................ 43

Running the ScanDisc Test .................. 46

Running the test.................................... 30

S

Save .................................... 10, 19, 24, 61

Saving Test Data............................. 10, 61

ScanDisc ............................................... 44

ScanDisc tab ............................. 10, 44, 46

ScanDisc test ........................................ 44

Snapshot feature................................... 24

Spin down ............................................. 29

Spin up ............................................ 13, 29

Spin up/down test ................................. 29

Standard Tests.. 13, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32

Storage formats............................... 61, 62

System requirements ............................ 67

T

Test DAE quality ................................... 21

Test series............................................. 25

Transfer rate.............................. 15, 26, 29

Transfer Rate Test .......................... 15, 26

U

User Interface........................................ 11

W

Write speed ..................................... 13, 33

Nero DiscSpeed 73

19 Contact

Nero DiscSpeed is a Nero AG product.

Contact

Nero AG

Im Stoeckmaedle 13-15

76307 Karlsbad

Germany

Nero Inc.

330 N Brand Blvd Suite 800

Glendale, CA 91203-2335

USA

Nero KK

Rover Center-kita 8F-B, 1-2-2
Nakagawa-chuou Tsuzuki-ku

Yokohama, Kanagawa

Japan 224-0003

Internet:
Help:
Fax:

Internet:
Help:
Fax:
E-mail:

Internet:

Help:

www.nero.com

http://support.nero.com

[phone]

www.nero.com

http://support.nero.com

[phone]

[e-mail]

www.nero.com

http://support.nero.com

Copyright © 2008 Nero AG and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Nero DiscSpeed 74