Memorex 16X double-layer drive review

As the chart indicates, there is little performance difference between the fastest (Memorex) and slowest (Sony DRU-700A) 2.4X DL DVD writers today. However, playback compatibility is a serious issue when working with DL media. While DL DVDs burned with the Memorex 16X played fine in every commercial set-top player we tried, the DL discs played in only two out of six selected PC-attached DVD drives.

DVD movie rip/burn tests (min:sec)  (Shorter bars indicate faster performance)

4.4GB DVD burn test

4.4GB DVD rip test (from DVD)

Plextor PX-712A (12X DVD+R)

06:20 

06:11 

Memorex DVD+/-DLKWL-1F161 (16X DVD+R)

06:46 

08:56 

LG GSA-4120B (8X DVD-R)

07:58 

Plextor PX-712A (8X DVD-R)

08:17 

Sony DRU-700A (8X DVD+R)

08:47 

08:43 

Memorex DVD+/-DLKWL-1F161 (8X DVD-R)

09:26 

Sony DRU-700A (8X DVD-R)

10:08 

LG GSA-4120B (12X DVD+R)
N/A

08:56 

Double-layer DVD movie rip/burn tests (min:sec)  (Shorter bars indicate faster performance)

7.9GB DVD burn test

7.9GB DVD rip test (from DVD)

Memorex DVD+/-DLKWL-1F161 (2.4X double-layer DVD+R)

42:39 

17:05 

LG GSA-4120B (2.4X double-layer DVD+R)

43:07 

17:04 

Sony DRU-700A (2.4X double-layer DVD+R)

44:16 

16:50 

CD audio rip/burn tests (min:sec)  (Shorter bars indicate faster performance)

74:35 CD audio burn test

74:35 CD audio rip test

Memorex DVD+/-DLKWL-1F161 (48X CD-R)

02:53 

06:35 

Plextor PX-712A (48X CD-R)

03:00 

06:12 

Sony DRU-700A (40X CD-R)

03:04 

08:25 

LG GSA-4120B (48X CD-R)

03:08 

06:15 

RW read/write tests (min:sec)  (Shorter bars indicate faster performance)

4.22GB RW write test

4.22GB RW read test

Memorex DVD+/-DLKWL-1F161 (4X DVD+RW)

13:40 

09:25 

Sony DRU-700A (4X DVD+RW)

13:44 

09:30 

LG GSA-4120B (4X DVD+RW)

13:50 

09:51 

Memorex DVD+/-DLKWL-1F161 (4X DVD-RW)

14:21 

09:39 

LG GSA-4120B (4X DVD-RW)

14:30 

09:35 

Plextor PX-712A (4X DVD-RW)

14:36 

06:41 

Sony DRU-700A (4X DVD-RW)

14:39 

09:32 

Plextor PX-712A (4X DVD+RW)

15:09 

06:31 

LG GSA-4120B (5X DVD-RAM)

27:09 

12:28 

Unless otherwise noted, all write tests are run with Verbatim media, rated at the drive's maximum speed. Find out more about how we test optical drives.

The Memorex 16X drive is protected by a standard one-year warranty, but some retailers may offer extended coverage at an additional price. Memorex's generous free, toll-free telephone support (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT) can help even the most timid users overcome installation and operational issues. Net-savvy users can access the Memorex technical support Web site for FAQs, software downloads/patches, drive firmware updates, electronic manuals, and electronic product registration. While there are many FAQs that can help answer a wide range of drive and software how-to questions, there is precious little information on DL DVD disc issues. Fortunately, Memorex does provide a handy chart (a PDF file) showing the compatibility of DVD players by model.