Nero CD Speed v4.7.7.16 - BD-ROM:

To test the BH12LS38'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
BH12LS38
Plextor
PX-LB950UE
Sony
BWU-500S
Lite-On
iHBS112
Transfer Speed
Average:
Start:
End:

3.62x
2.02x
4.83x

6.05x
3.37x
8.08x

6.05x
3.38x
8.08x

6.05x
3.38x
8.08x
Access Times
Random:
1/3:
Full:

87ms
4ms
4ms

75ms
190ms
245ms

73ms
187ms
256ms

74ms
188ms
255ms
CPU Usage
1x:
2x:
4x:
8x:

0%
0%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%

While the BH12LS38 is rated at 10x 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 2.02x and reached a maximum transfer speed of 4.83x.

LG's new Blu-ray Disc writer had no problems playing back The Fifth Element and The Simpsons Movie 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 v4.7.7.16 - 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 TDK and then ran our BD read tests with CD Speed.


TDK BD-R
 
   LG
BH12LS38
Plextor
PX-LB950UE
Sony
BWU-500S
Lite-On
iHBS112
Transfer Speed
Average:
Start:
End:

7.65x
4.35x
10.13x

6.07x
4.47x
8.07x

6.07x
3.47x
8.07x

6.08x
3.47x
8.07x
Access Times
Random:
1/3:
Full:

120ms
5ms
4ms

74ms
186ms
255ms

73ms
182ms
259ms

74ms
183ms
263ms
CPU Usage
1x:
2x:
4x:
8x:

0%
1%
1%
3%

0%
1%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%


Memorex BD-RE
 
   LG
BH12LS38
Plextor
PX-LB950UE
Sony
BWU-500S
Lite-On
iHBS112
Transfer Speed
Average:
Start:
End:

6.10x
3.48x
8.10x

6.07x
3.47x
8.07x

6.07x
3.47x
8.07x

6.07x
3.47x
8.07x
Access Times
Random:
1/3:
Full:

107ms
5ms
4ms

75ms
182ms
258ms

73ms
175ms
260ms

74ms
184ms
265ms
CPU Usage
1x:
2x:
4x:
8x:

0%
1%
1%
3%

0%
1%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%


TDK BD-R DL
 
   LG
BH12LS38
Plextor
PX-LB950UE
Sony
BWU-500S
Lite-On
iHBS112
Transfer Speed
Average:
Start:
End:

6.10x
3.49x
8.08x

6.08x
3.49x
8.05x

6.07x
3.48x
8.05x

6.08x
3.49x
8.06x
Access Times
Random:
1/3:
Full:

105ms
5ms
4ms

75ms
188ms
276ms

73ms
184ms
262ms

73ms
186ms
269ms
CPU Usage
1x:
2x:
4x:
8x:

3%
1%
1%
3%

0%
1%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%

0%
1%
1%
2%

LG's new drive had no problems reading BD-R, BD-RE and BD-R DL media.  In our tests, the drive read BD-R discs at 10x, and both BD-RE and BD-R DL media at an impressive 8x.