User:Derf/CD Burning Shenanigans: Difference between revisions

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These are my futile attempts to burn patched/homebrew ISOs to CD-R to play on my Turbo Duo. Pressed discs read perfectly fine. I should open an Etsy that sells CD-R coasters.
These are my futile attempts to burn patched/homebrew ISOs to CD-R to play on my recapped and calibrated Turbo Duo. Pressed discs read perfectly fine.


Graphs made using Nero DiscSpeed (Disc Quality tab).
I should open an Etsy that sells CD-R coasters.


== Media ==
== Media ==
Info from [[:File:Nero_DiscSpeed_12.5.6.0.zip|Nero DiscSpeed]] (Disc Info tab).


* CMC Pro (Taiyo Yuden TCDR-ZZ-SB):
* '''Burlington Recording 24 KT Gold Ultimate Archival Recording Media'''
** Manufacturer: Mitsui
** Disc ID: 97m27s58f
** Capacity 650MB / 74min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging says 1-8x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
* '''CMC Pro (Taiyo Yuden):'''
** Model number: TCDR-ZZ-SB
** Manufacturer: Taiyo Yuden
** Manufacturer: Taiyo Yuden
** Disc ID: 97m24s01f
** Disc ID: 97m24s01f
** Min speed 16x
** Capacity 700MB / 80min
** Capacity 700MB
** Supported Write Speeds: 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48x
** Supported Write Speeds: 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48x
* Maxell Gold
* '''Imation Data Music Photos:'''
** Manufacturer: CMC Magnetics
** Disc ID: 97m26s66f
** Capacity 700MB / 80min
*** Disc packaging says 1x-52x
*** iHAS 124B drive reports 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
* '''Maxell Gold:'''
** Disc ID: 97m31s01f
** Disc ID: 97m31s01f
** Manufacturer: Ritek Co.
** Manufacturer: Ritek Co.
** Capacity: 650MB / 74 min
** Capacity: 651MB / 74min
** Supported Write Speeds: 16x (disc packaging says 1x-8x; likely no Write Strategy available for my drives)
** Supported Write Speeds:
* TDK (?)
*** Disc packaging says 1x-8x
*** iHAS 124B drive reports only 16x (likely no Write Strategy available)
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
* '''Maxell 74min CD-RW (Maxell-RW):'''
** Manufacturer: Verbatim
** Disc ID: 97m34s23f
** Capacity: 650MB / 74min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging says 4x-12x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 10x, 12x
* '''Microboards Technology:'''
** Disc ID: 97m24s01f
** Manufacturer: Taiyo Yuden
** Capacity: 656MB / 74min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging says 16x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
* '''Mitsui:'''
** Disc ID: 97m27s56f
** Manufacturer: Mitsui
** Capacity: 650MB / 74min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging says up to 24x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
*** iHas reports 16x
* '''Mitsui Gold:'''
** Disc ID: 97m27s55f
** Manufacturer: Mitsui
** Capacity: 650MB / 74min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging unspecified
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
* '''Verbatim (VB):'''
** Manufacturer: CMC Magnetics
** Disc ID: 97m26s66f
** Supported write speeds: 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48x
** Capacity: 700MB
* '''Verbatim DataLifePlus 74min (VB-DLP-74min):'''
** Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.
** Disc ID: 97m34s20f
** Capacity: 650MB / 74min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging says 1x-8x
*** iHAS 124B drive reports 16x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
* '''Verbatim DataLifePlus 80min (VB-DLP-80min):'''
** Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.
** Disc ID: 97m34s21f
** Capacity: 700MB / 80min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging says 1x-16x
*** iHAS 124B drive reports 8x, 16x, 24x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 16x, 24x
* '''Verbatim DataLifePlus 74min CD-RW (VB-DLP-RW):'''
** Manufacturer: Verbatim
** Disc ID: 97m34s23f
** Capacity: 650MB / 74min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging says 4x-10x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 10x, 12x
* '''Verbatim UltraLife Archival Grade (VB-UL):'''
** This disc was advertised to have a silver and gold layer for maximum compatibility with drives, which appears to be legitimate.
** Manufacturer: TDK
** Disc ID: 97m15s05f
** Capacity: 700MB / 80min
** Supported Write Speeds:
*** Disc packaging says 52x
*** BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48
 
=== Media Reflectivity ===


== Pressed Disc: Rising Sun ==
Note the strength of contrast between the burnt vs unburn areas on the disc.
 
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:Pressed Disc.jpg|thumb|Pressed disc - Very strong contrast]] [[File:CMC Pro TCDR-ZZ-SB (Taiyo Yuden) CD-R.jpg|thumb|CMC Pro (Taiyo Yuden) - Strong contrast]] [[File:Maxell Gold CD-R.jpg|thumb|Maxell Gold - Strong contrast]] [[File:Verbatim CD-R.jpg|thumb|Verbatim - Weak contrast]]
</div>
 
Below are scans of the same discs. Oddly, the pressed disc shows almost no contrast in a direct scan.
 
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:Disc Scan - Pressed Disc.jpg|thumb|Pressed disc]]
[[File:Disc_Scan_-_Burlington_Ultimate_Mastering_74min.jpg|thumb|Burlington Ultimate Mastering Archival Recording Media]]
[[File:Disc Scan - Taiyo Yuden.jpg|thumb|CMC Pro (Taiyo Yuden)]]
[[File:Disc_Scan_-_Imation.png|thumb|Imation]]
</div>
 
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:Disc Scan - Maxell Gold.jpg|thumb|Maxell Gold]]
[[File:Disc_Scan_-_Maxell_CD-RW.png|thumb|Maxell CD-RW]]
[[File:Disc_Scan_-_MicroBoards_Technology.jpeg|thumb|MicroBoards Technology]]
[[File:Disc_Scan_-_Mitsui.png|thumb|Mitsui]]
</div>
 
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:Disc_Scan_-_Mitsui_Gold.jpg|thumb|Mitsui Gold]]
[[File:Disc Scan - Verbatim.jpg|thumb|Verbatim]]
[[File:Disc Scan - Verbatim DLP 74min.jpg|thumb|Verbatim DataLifePlus 74 min (AZO)]]
[[File:Disc Scan - Verbatim DLP 80min.jpg|thumb|Verbatim DataLifePlus 80 min (AZO)]]
</div>
 
 
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:Disc_Scan_-_Verbatim_DataLifePlus_CD-RW.png|thumb|Verbatim DataLifePlus 74 min CD-RW]]
[[File:Disc_Scan_-_Verbatim_Archival_Grade_UltraLife.jpg|thumb|Verbatim Archival Grade UltraLife]]
</div>
 
[[File:CD-R Reflectivity Comparison.jpg|1285px]]
 
=== Media Issues ===
 
Delamination can occur in the data layer of CDs. This manifested in one of the discs I tried and I noticed it looked almost like there was a second burn line, but it was wavy and misshapen. This resulted in a large amount of C1 errors.
 
[[File:Disc Scan - Taiyo Yuden Wavy.jpg|thumb|left|Taiyo Yuden with delaminiation issue]] {{br}}
 
== Burn Quality ==
 
One way to measure the quality of burns is to use [[:File:Nero_DiscSpeed_12.5.6.0.zip|Nero DiscSpeed]] (Disc Quality tab). This samples the disc and shows the following important data regarding the C1 and C2 decoder:
* C1 errors: These are errors that were able to be corrected by the C1 decoder error checking. These are essentially unavoidable and should not impact gameplay in small amounts, as the errors are corrected on the fly. However, there is a threshold where there are too many errors and it may cause dropouts in music/video or loading. DiscSpeed reports the maximum errors in one sample, the average errors for the whole disc, and the total errors. It considers anything below 20 maximum errors to be good (green).
* C2 errors: These are more severe errors that were not able to be corrected by the C1 decoder and were passed to the C2 decoder and only be may not be able to be corrected. Presence of any C2 errors would be considered a "bad burn" (or the disc is dirty).
 
Images of my results below are sorted from best to worst burns.
 
=== Pressed Disc: Rising Sun ===


[[File:DiscQuality - Rising Sun.png|thumb|left|Pressed disc]]
[[File:DiscQuality - Rising Sun.png|thumb|left|Pressed disc]]
Line 24: Line 159:
{{br}}
{{br}}


== Space Ava 201 ==
=== Space Ava 201 ===
 
Although the Verbatim DLP discs booted, they would consistently start to have issues after ~10 minutes and once tracking was lost, it would never come back.
 
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:W-Benq VB-DLP-74min PCE 4X Space Ava.png|thumb|🥇 BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim DLP 74 min, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed (booted)]] [[File:W-Benq VB-DLP-80min PCE 4X Space Ava.png|thumb|🥉 BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim DLP 80 min, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed (booted)]] [[File:W-iHas TY ImgBurn 16x.png|thumb|left|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 16x speed]] [[File:W-Benq TY 16X Space Ava.png|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 16X speed]] [[File:W-Benq TY 4X Space Ava.png|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 4X speed]] </div>
 
<div class="inline-thumb"> [[File:W-Benq VB 4X Space Ava.png|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim, ImgBurn, 4X speed]] [[File:W-iHas TY ImgBurn 8x.png|thumb|left|iHas 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 8x speed]] [[File:W-BR VB ImgBurn Fast.png|thumb|left|LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]] [[File:W-BR TY ImgBurn Fast.png|thumb|left|LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]] </div>
 
=== Rondo of Blood (English Patch) ===
 
==== Disc Quality Scan using iHAS 124B ====
 
Although the Maxell Gold disc booted, it would consistently start to have issues after ~10 minutes and once tracking was lost, it would never come back.


<div class="inline-thumb">
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:W-iHas TY ImgBurn 16x.png|thumb|left|iHas 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 16x speed]] [[File:W-iHas TY ImgBurn 8x.png|thumb|left|iHas 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 8x speed]] [[File:W-BR TY ImgBurn Fast.png|thumb|left|Blu-ray burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]] [[File:W-BR VB ImgBurn Fast.png|thumb|left|Blu-ray burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]]  
[[File:W-Benq Maxell PCE 4x.png|thumb|🥈 BenQ CRW4012P burner, Maxell Gold, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed (booted)]]
</div>
[[File:W-iHas TY PCE.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting]] [[File:W-iHas TY Non-DAO 32X.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 32x speed]][[File:W-iHas TY ImgBurn OPC 32x.png|thumb|iHas 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, OPC enabled, 32x speed]][[File:W-iHas TY 16x.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 16x speed]]</div>
 
<div class="inline-thumb">[[File:W-iHas TY Non-DAO Slow.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 8x speed]][[File:W-Benq TY PCE.png|thumb|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting]][[File:W-iHas TY PCE New-FW.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner (AL0S firmware), Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting]]
[[File:W-iHas TY Nero 16X.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Nero, 16x speed]] [[File:W-iHas TY Non-DAO Fast.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]]</div>


== Rondo of Blood (English Patch) ==
<div class="inline-thumb">[[File:W-Benq TY 4X.png|thumb|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 4X speed]][[File:W-iHas VB Non-DAO Slow.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Verbatim, ImgBurn, 8x speed]] [[File:W-iHas TY RAW DAO.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, RAW DAO setting]] [[File:W-Benq TY 4X Wavy.png|thumb|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 4X speed (delamination issue)]] [[File:W-iHas Maxell Gold ImgBurn 16x.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Maxell Gold 650MB 74 min, ImgBurn, 16x speed]]</div>


=== Disc Quality Scan using Optiarc ==
====Disc Quality Scan using Optiarc AD-7200S====
Verdict: This drive resulted in many more errors than the iHAS 124B even when using the same disc, so it likely has a dying laser.
<div class="inline-thumb">
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:W-BR TY ImgBurn.png|thumb|left|Blu-ray burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]] [[File:W-BR TY PCE.png|thumb|left|Blu-ray burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting]]  
[[File:W-BR TY ImgBurn.png|thumb|left|LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]] [[File:W-BR TY PCE.png|thumb|left|LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting]]  
[[File:W-BR TY RAW DAO.png|thumb|Blu-ray burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, RAW DAO setting]] [[File:W-Optiarc TY Non-DAO.png|thumb|Optiarc AD-7200S burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]]
[[File:W-BR TY RAW DAO.png|thumb|LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, RAW DAO setting]] [[File:W-Optiarc TY Non-DAO.png|thumb|Optiarc AD-7200S burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]]
</div>
</div>


=== Disc Quality Scan using iHAS ==
====Disc Quality Scan using BenQ CRW4012P====
All scans failed with "ILLEGAL MODE FOR THIS TRACK (056400)" error on any discs burned by the BENQ itself, discs burned by other drives, or pressed discs despite burning discs well.
 
=== FX Unit Yuki: The Henshin Engine ===
 
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:W-Benq MicroBoards Technology PCE 12X.JPG|thumb|BenQ CRW4012P burner, MicroBoards Technology 74 min, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 12X speed (booted, constant music dropout)]] [[File:W-Benq_VB-UL_PCE_4X_FX_Yuki.jpg|thumb|left|🥇 BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim Archival Grade UltraLife, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed (booted, rare music dropouts)]] [[File:W-Benq Mitsui Gold 16X.JPG|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Mitsui Gold, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 8X speed]] </div>
 
=== Dead of the Brain ===


<div class="inline-thumb">
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:W-iHas TY PCE.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting]] [[File:W-iHas TY Non-DAO 32X.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 32x speed]] [[File:W-iHas TY 16x.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 16x speed]][[File:W-iHas TY Non-DAO Slow.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 8x speed]] [[File:W-iHas TY PCE New-FW.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner (AL0S firmware), Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting]]
[[File:BenQ_CRW4012P_burner,_Imation,_Alcohol_120,_PC_Engine_setting,_16X_speed.png|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Imation, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 16X speed (booted, flawless?)]]
[[File:W-Benq_Maxell-RW_PCE_10X_Dead_of_the_Brain.jpg|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Maxell CD-RW, Alcohol 120, PCE setting, 10X speed, PCE refused to try and boot]] [[File:W-Benq_VB-UL_PCE_16X_Dead_of_the_Brain.jpg|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim Archival Grade UltraLife, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 16X speed]] [[File:W-Benq_Burlington-74min_PCE_4X_Dead_of_the_Brain.JPG|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Burlington 24KT Gold 74 min, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed]]
</div>
</div>
=== Other ===


<div class="inline-thumb">
<div class="inline-thumb">
[[File:W-iHas TY Nero 16X.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Nero, 16x speed]] [[File:W-iHas TY Non-DAO Fast.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed]] [[File:W-iHas VB Non-DAO Slow.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Verbatim, ImgBurn, 8x speed]] [[File:W-iHas TY RAW DAO.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, RAW DAO setting]] [[File:W-iHas Maxell Gold ImgBurn 16x.png|thumb|iHAS 124B burner, Maxell Gold 650MB 74 min, ImgBurn, 16x speed]]</div>
[[File:W-Benq Maxell Gold PCE 8X.JPG|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Maxell Gold, Alcohol 120, Sega CD setting, 8X speed - Sonic CD (Japan) (flawless)]] [[File:BenQ_CRW4012P_burner,_Mitsui,_Alcohol_120,_PC_Engine_setting,_8X_speed_-_Exile.png|thumb|left|BenQ CRW4012P burner, Mitsui, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 8X speed - Exile (booted, some dropouts)]]
</div>


== Lessons Learned ==
* Was not recognized by Nero DiscSpeed for scanning:
** Verbatim DataLifePlus CD-RW (PCE refused to try and boot)


* Check what the minimum and maximum speed that the media reports, and burn at the minimum supported.
==Conclusions Drawn==
* Out of all the discs, it seems that gold-based discs and AZO discs burned using the 2002 BenQ drive booted on my specific Duo, with the Verbatim UltraLife discs providing the best experience with least amount of music dropouts.
* Write strategies come into play with some disc and drive combos, so it's best to use contemporary media with a drive where possible.
* Check what the minimum and maximum speed that the media (disc) reports, ensure you are burning at a speed that the media (NOT DRIVE) supports. Speed does not seem to matter otherwise, but I like to choose the second slowest supported speed.
* Cross-check Disc Quality scans with multiple drives to make sure the drive isn't the issue. The Optiarc AD-7200S drive appears to be bad. Scan speed for disc quality doesn't seem to make a difference.
* Check every disc for delamination. Discs can have delamination issues that appear as faint wavy lines or bubbles, almost like the burned/unburned line but all over the place.
* CD burners being sold "As Is" are likely broken. The BenQ drive needed a fuse and diode replaced in order to boot up as well as the drive belt boiled as discs were sliding.

Latest revision as of 00:02, 9 February 2025

These are my futile attempts to burn patched/homebrew ISOs to CD-R to play on my recapped and calibrated Turbo Duo. Pressed discs read perfectly fine.

I should open an Etsy that sells CD-R coasters.

Media

Info from Nero DiscSpeed (Disc Info tab).

  • Burlington Recording 24 KT Gold Ultimate Archival Recording Media
    • Manufacturer: Mitsui
    • Disc ID: 97m27s58f
    • Capacity 650MB / 74min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says 1-8x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
  • CMC Pro (Taiyo Yuden):
    • Model number: TCDR-ZZ-SB
    • Manufacturer: Taiyo Yuden
    • Disc ID: 97m24s01f
    • Capacity 700MB / 80min
    • Supported Write Speeds: 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48x
  • Imation Data Music Photos:
    • Manufacturer: CMC Magnetics
    • Disc ID: 97m26s66f
    • Capacity 700MB / 80min
      • Disc packaging says 1x-52x
      • iHAS 124B drive reports 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
  • Maxell Gold:
    • Disc ID: 97m31s01f
    • Manufacturer: Ritek Co.
    • Capacity: 651MB / 74min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says 1x-8x
      • iHAS 124B drive reports only 16x (likely no Write Strategy available)
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
  • Maxell 74min CD-RW (Maxell-RW):
    • Manufacturer: Verbatim
    • Disc ID: 97m34s23f
    • Capacity: 650MB / 74min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says 4x-12x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 10x, 12x
  • Microboards Technology:
    • Disc ID: 97m24s01f
    • Manufacturer: Taiyo Yuden
    • Capacity: 656MB / 74min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says 16x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
  • Mitsui:
    • Disc ID: 97m27s56f
    • Manufacturer: Mitsui
    • Capacity: 650MB / 74min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says up to 24x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
      • iHas reports 16x
  • Mitsui Gold:
    • Disc ID: 97m27s55f
    • Manufacturer: Mitsui
    • Capacity: 650MB / 74min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging unspecified
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
  • Verbatim (VB):
    • Manufacturer: CMC Magnetics
    • Disc ID: 97m26s66f
    • Supported write speeds: 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48x
    • Capacity: 700MB
  • Verbatim DataLifePlus 74min (VB-DLP-74min):
    • Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.
    • Disc ID: 97m34s20f
    • Capacity: 650MB / 74min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says 1x-8x
      • iHAS 124B drive reports 16x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x
  • Verbatim DataLifePlus 80min (VB-DLP-80min):
    • Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.
    • Disc ID: 97m34s21f
    • Capacity: 700MB / 80min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says 1x-16x
      • iHAS 124B drive reports 8x, 16x, 24x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 16x, 24x
  • Verbatim DataLifePlus 74min CD-RW (VB-DLP-RW):
    • Manufacturer: Verbatim
    • Disc ID: 97m34s23f
    • Capacity: 650MB / 74min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says 4x-10x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 4x, 8x, 10x, 12x
  • Verbatim UltraLife Archival Grade (VB-UL):
    • This disc was advertised to have a silver and gold layer for maximum compatibility with drives, which appears to be legitimate.
    • Manufacturer: TDK
    • Disc ID: 97m15s05f
    • Capacity: 700MB / 80min
    • Supported Write Speeds:
      • Disc packaging says 52x
      • BenQ CRW4012P drive reports 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48

Media Reflectivity

Note the strength of contrast between the burnt vs unburn areas on the disc.

Pressed disc - Very strong contrast
CMC Pro (Taiyo Yuden) - Strong contrast
Maxell Gold - Strong contrast
Verbatim - Weak contrast

Below are scans of the same discs. Oddly, the pressed disc shows almost no contrast in a direct scan.

Pressed disc
Burlington Ultimate Mastering Archival Recording Media
CMC Pro (Taiyo Yuden)
Imation
Maxell Gold
Maxell CD-RW
MicroBoards Technology
Mitsui
Mitsui Gold
Verbatim
Verbatim DataLifePlus 74 min (AZO)
Verbatim DataLifePlus 80 min (AZO)


Verbatim DataLifePlus 74 min CD-RW
Verbatim Archival Grade UltraLife

CD-R Reflectivity Comparison.jpg

Media Issues

Delamination can occur in the data layer of CDs. This manifested in one of the discs I tried and I noticed it looked almost like there was a second burn line, but it was wavy and misshapen. This resulted in a large amount of C1 errors.

Taiyo Yuden with delaminiation issue


Burn Quality

One way to measure the quality of burns is to use Nero DiscSpeed (Disc Quality tab). This samples the disc and shows the following important data regarding the C1 and C2 decoder:

  • C1 errors: These are errors that were able to be corrected by the C1 decoder error checking. These are essentially unavoidable and should not impact gameplay in small amounts, as the errors are corrected on the fly. However, there is a threshold where there are too many errors and it may cause dropouts in music/video or loading. DiscSpeed reports the maximum errors in one sample, the average errors for the whole disc, and the total errors. It considers anything below 20 maximum errors to be good (green).
  • C2 errors: These are more severe errors that were not able to be corrected by the C1 decoder and were passed to the C2 decoder and only be may not be able to be corrected. Presence of any C2 errors would be considered a "bad burn" (or the disc is dirty).

Images of my results below are sorted from best to worst burns.

Pressed Disc: Rising Sun

Pressed disc


Space Ava 201

Although the Verbatim DLP discs booted, they would consistently start to have issues after ~10 minutes and once tracking was lost, it would never come back.

🥇 BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim DLP 74 min, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed (booted)
🥉 BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim DLP 80 min, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed (booted)
iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 16x speed
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 16X speed
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 4X speed
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim, ImgBurn, 4X speed
iHas 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 8x speed
LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed
LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed

Rondo of Blood (English Patch)

Disc Quality Scan using iHAS 124B

Although the Maxell Gold disc booted, it would consistently start to have issues after ~10 minutes and once tracking was lost, it would never come back.

🥈 BenQ CRW4012P burner, Maxell Gold, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed (booted)
iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting
iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 32x speed
iHas 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, OPC enabled, 32x speed
iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 16x speed
iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 8x speed
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting
iHAS 124B burner (AL0S firmware), Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting
iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Nero, 16x speed
iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 4X speed
iHAS 124B burner, Verbatim, ImgBurn, 8x speed
iHAS 124B burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, RAW DAO setting
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, 4X speed (delamination issue)
iHAS 124B burner, Maxell Gold 650MB 74 min, ImgBurn, 16x speed

Disc Quality Scan using Optiarc AD-7200S

Verdict: This drive resulted in many more errors than the iHAS 124B even when using the same disc, so it likely has a dying laser.

LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed
LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting
LG WH12LS30 BD burner, Taiyo Yuden, Alcohol 120, RAW DAO setting
Optiarc AD-7200S burner, Taiyo Yuden, ImgBurn, max speed

Disc Quality Scan using BenQ CRW4012P

All scans failed with "ILLEGAL MODE FOR THIS TRACK (056400)" error on any discs burned by the BENQ itself, discs burned by other drives, or pressed discs despite burning discs well.

FX Unit Yuki: The Henshin Engine

BenQ CRW4012P burner, MicroBoards Technology 74 min, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 12X speed (booted, constant music dropout)
🥇 BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim Archival Grade UltraLife, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed (booted, rare music dropouts)
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Mitsui Gold, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 8X speed

Dead of the Brain

BenQ CRW4012P burner, Imation, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 16X speed (booted, flawless?)
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Maxell CD-RW, Alcohol 120, PCE setting, 10X speed, PCE refused to try and boot
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Verbatim Archival Grade UltraLife, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 16X speed
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Burlington 24KT Gold 74 min, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 4X speed

Other

BenQ CRW4012P burner, Maxell Gold, Alcohol 120, Sega CD setting, 8X speed - Sonic CD (Japan) (flawless)
BenQ CRW4012P burner, Mitsui, Alcohol 120, PC Engine setting, 8X speed - Exile (booted, some dropouts)
  • Was not recognized by Nero DiscSpeed for scanning:
    • Verbatim DataLifePlus CD-RW (PCE refused to try and boot)

Conclusions Drawn

  • Out of all the discs, it seems that gold-based discs and AZO discs burned using the 2002 BenQ drive booted on my specific Duo, with the Verbatim UltraLife discs providing the best experience with least amount of music dropouts.
  • Write strategies come into play with some disc and drive combos, so it's best to use contemporary media with a drive where possible.
  • Check what the minimum and maximum speed that the media (disc) reports, ensure you are burning at a speed that the media (NOT DRIVE) supports. Speed does not seem to matter otherwise, but I like to choose the second slowest supported speed.
  • Cross-check Disc Quality scans with multiple drives to make sure the drive isn't the issue. The Optiarc AD-7200S drive appears to be bad. Scan speed for disc quality doesn't seem to make a difference.
  • Check every disc for delamination. Discs can have delamination issues that appear as faint wavy lines or bubbles, almost like the burned/unburned line but all over the place.
  • CD burners being sold "As Is" are likely broken. The BenQ drive needed a fuse and diode replaced in order to boot up as well as the drive belt boiled as discs were sliding.
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