DVD reader for low quality/scratched media

[alex11]

I am looking for best reader for low quality/scratched DVD-R disks. "Best" means drive that can recover most sectors from disks with hi PIE/PIF values.
I used couple of such disks with PIF ramp at the end and compared different drives (DVD-ROMs and DVD-writers) for maximum % of recovered data.

My results:
Disk1 Disk2
Pioneer DVD115 23% 32%
AOpen DVD1648/AAP 86% 70%
Toshiba SD-M1712 89% 73%
Sony DDU1621 95% 76%
Asus E616P2 95% 79%
Sony DRU510 95% 80%
Sony DRU500A 95% 82%
Liteon SOHW-1213S 97% 83%
Toshiba SD-M1912 97% 86%
Liteon SOHD-167T 98% 85%
Sony DRU-700 98% 86%
Liteon SOHW-812S 99% 86%



Can anybody recommend another drive that can read better
than tested? Reading speed is not important, it can be DVD-ROM
or Writer.

[CowboySlim]

I think that the Toshibas are as good as it gets. for reading.

Slim

[alex11]

So, there is no chance to read this last 1%?

[code65536]

So, there is no chance to read this last 1%?

Probably not. The LiteOn 812S is a very good reader, and if it couldn't get that last bit off...

[Nil Einne]

Cowboyslim: The information does not show this. Of course, this is a small sample size (two discs) and the differene is marginal but the information already presented does not show the Toshiba is the best reader.

The thing you must remember is that this is a specific case, reading damaged CDs. While some drives may be very good for e.g. copy protected CDs, damaged CDs are a totally different kettle of fish.

Alex: Maybe try Samsung/LG?

[TheWizard]

Generally speaking, LG drives read scratched discs well.

[alex11]

Nil: Actually, Toshiba SD-M1912 is Samsung TS-H352. CD reading results
wil be different than DVD, i didn't try them.

Wizard: Any particular model?

[TheWizard]

Take a look at the review of the LG DRD-8160B. It was reported to read scratched/dirty discs very well. The only downside, it did have a couple problems reading DVD-R/RW media.

There is an updated LG 16X DVD-ROM model available, the GDR-8162BI. Chances are the DVD-R/RW reading has improved; no word on whether or not it still reads scratched discs well.

[Nil Einne]

alex11 - are these disks scratched or poorly burnt of both?

[Nil Einne]

alex11 you might also want to try the Aopen 1648/AAP Pro with both 1.00 and 1.01 firmware. It is reported that this drive has better ec then the nonPro and I've read that the different firmware makes quite a difference although it's not clear which firmware revision is better