Nero CD Speed v4.7.5 - BD-ROM:
To test the GGW-H20L's BD-ROM reading performance, I used the Blu-ray Disc version of The Fifth Element. This single layer disc is about 23GB in size.
| LG GGW-H20L |
LG GGW-H10N |
Sony BWU-100A |
I-O DATA BRD-AM2B/U |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
3.61x 2.01x 4.82x |
3.05x 1.70x 4.07x |
2.00x 2.00x 2.00x |
2.00x 2.00x 2.00x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
117ms 175ms 223ms |
148ms 275ms 385ms |
123ms 228ms 407ms |
125ms 208ms 399ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
0% 1% 2% 3% |
0% 1% 2% 3% |
0% 1% 1% 3% |
While the GGW-H20L is rated at 6x when reading single layer BD-ROM discs, its speeds are limited to only 4.8x when reading AACS protected titles. In our tests, the drive started reading at 2.01x and reached a maximum transfer speed of 4.82x.
LG's Super Multi Blue drive had no problems playing back The Fifth Element using the bundled version of PowerDVD. Just keep in mind that if your monitor is connected to your video card using DVI or HDMI, both need to be HDCP compliant to play AACS protected titles. If not, you can still play them by switching the connection to VGA or using software like Slysoft's AnyDVD HD.
Nero CD Speed v4.7.5 - BD-R and BD-RE:
Next we'll look at the drive's BD-R and BD-RE reading performance. For this I created a few data discs using single layer BD-R and BD-RE media from Memorex and then ran our BD read tests with CD Speed.
Memorex BD-R
| LG GGW-H20L |
LG GGW-H10N |
Sony BWU-100A |
I-O DATA BRD-AM2B/U |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
4.55x 2.58x 6.04x |
3.06x 1.75x 4.07x |
2.00x 1.99x 2.00x |
2.00x 1.99x 2.00x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
121ms 167ms 217ms |
206ms 317ms 441ms |
101ms 215ms 390ms |
100ms 204ms 366ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 0% 2% 2% |
0% 1% 2% 3% |
0% 1% 2% 4% |
0% 1% 2% 3% |
Memorex BD-RE
| LG GGW-H20L |
LG GGW-H10N |
Sony BWU-100A |
I-O DATA BRD-AM2B/U |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
2.30x 2.29x 2.30x |
2.51x 1.43x 3.34x |
2.00x 1.99x 2.00x |
2.00x 2.00x 2.00x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
150ms 263ms 766ms |
223ms 330ms 441ms |
101ms 219ms 391ms |
100ms 203ms 360ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 2% 2% |
0% 1% 2% 3% |
0% 1% 2% 4% |
0% 1% 2% 3% |
Sony BD-R DL
| LG GGW-H20L |
LG GGW-H10N |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
3.67x 2.10x 2.12x |
2.52x 1.44x 1.46x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
137ms 181ms 737ms |
221ms 334ms 810ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 3% 6% |
0% 1% 1% 3% |
LG's new drive had no problems reading BD-R, BD-RE and BD-R DL media. In our tests, the GGW-H20L was able to read BD-R discs at 6x and BD-R DL media at 4.8x. Surprisingly, it wasn't as fast as the GGW-H10N when reading BD-RE discs. Looking at the scores above, you can see that it reached a maximum transfer speed on only 2.3x.
Nero CD Speed v4.51 - HD DVD-ROM:
To test the GGW-H20L's HD DVD-ROM reading performance, I used the HD DVD version of King Kong. This double layer disc is about 27GB in size.
| LG GGW-H20L |
LG GGW-H10N |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
2.27x 1.28x 1.31x |
1.87x 1.05x 1.08x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
138ms 230ms 604ms |
210ms 355ms 408ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
1% 1% 2% 3% |
The GGW-H20L performed as expected when reading back our copy of King Kong. The drive started reading at 1.28x and reached a maximum transfer speed of about 3x at the midway point. Playing the movie with PowerDVD wasn't a problem either. However, as with Blu-ray Discs, there are certain hardware requirements if you plan to play AACS protected titles.
