Nero CD Speed v4.7.7.16 - BD-ROM:
To test the BH14NS40'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 BH14NS40 |
LG BH12LS38 |
Plextor PX-LB950UE |
Sony BWU-500S |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
8.98x 4.99x 11.99x |
3.62x 2.02x 4.83x |
6.05x 3.37x 8.08x |
6.05x 3.38x 8.08x |
| Access Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
92ms 157ms 218ms |
87ms 4ms 4ms |
75ms 190ms 245ms |
73ms 187ms 256ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 0% 1% 1% |
0% 0% 1% 2% |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
While the BH14NS40 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 BH14NS40 |
LG BH12LS38 |
Plextor PX-LB950UE |
Sony BWU-500S |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
9.03x 5.12x 12.00x |
7.65x 4.35x 10.13x |
6.07x 4.47x 8.07x |
6.07x 3.47x 8.07x |
| Access Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
93ms 174ms 226ms |
120ms 5ms 4ms |
74ms 186ms 255ms |
73ms 182ms 259ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 0% 1% 1% |
0% 1% 1% 3% |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
Memorex BD-RE
| LG BH14NS40 |
LG BH12LS38 |
Plextor PX-LB950UE |
Sony BWU-500S |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
6.12x 3.48x 8.13x |
6.10x 3.48x 8.10x |
6.07x 3.47x 8.07x |
6.07x 3.47x 8.07x |
| Access Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
84ms 170ms 228ms |
107ms 5ms 4ms |
75ms 182ms 258ms |
73ms 175ms 260ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 0% 1% 1% |
0% 1% 1% 3% |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
TDK BD-R DL
| LG BH14NS40 |
LG BH12LS38 |
Plextor PX-LB950UE |
Sony BWU-500S |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
6.12x 3.50x 8.10x |
6.10x 3.49x 8.08x |
6.08x 3.49x 8.05x |
6.07x 3.48x 8.05x |
| Access Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
82ms 165ms 225ms |
105ms 5ms 4ms |
75ms 188ms 276ms |
73ms 184ms 262ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 0% 1% 1% |
3% 1% 1% 3% |
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.
