Nero DiscSpeed 4 - BD-ROM:
To test the GGC-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 GGC-H20L |
ASUS BC-1205PT |
LG GGW-H20L |
Sony BWU-100A |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
3.61x 2.01x 4.82x |
3.91x 2.19x 5.22x |
3.61x 2.01x 4.82x |
2.00x 2.00x 2.00x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
118ms 175ms 228ms |
79ms 207ms 360ms |
117ms 175ms 223ms |
123ms 228ms 407ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
0% 1% 3% 6% |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
0% 1% 2% 3% |
While the GGC-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 DiscSpeed 4 - 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 BD-R and BD-RE media from Memorex and Sony and then ran our BD read tests with CD Speed.
Memorex BD-R
| LG GGC-H20L |
ASUS BC-1205PT |
LG GGW-H20L |
Sony BWU-100A |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
4.55x 2.57x 6.04x |
3.93x 2.24x 5.22x |
4.55x 2.58x 6.04x |
2.00x 1.99x 2.00x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
135ms 182ms 230ms |
91ms 226ms 381ms |
121ms 167ms 217ms |
101ms 215ms 390ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 2% 3% |
0% 1% 2% 5% |
0% 0% 2% 2% |
0% 1% 2% 4% |
Memorex BD-RE
| LG GGC-H20L |
ASUS BC-1205PT |
LG GGW-H20L |
Sony BWU-100A |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
2.30x 2.29x 2.30x |
3.93x 2.24x 5.22x |
2.30x 2.29x 2.30x |
2.00x 1.99x 2.00x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
157ms 255ms 404ms |
93ms 230ms 377ms |
150ms 263ms 766ms |
101ms 219ms 391ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 2% 2% |
0% 1% 2% 5% |
0% 1% 2% 2% |
0% 1% 2% 4% |
Sony BD-R DL
| LG GGC-H20L |
ASUS BC-1205PT |
LG GGW-H20L |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
3.67x 2.10x 2.12x |
2.00x 2.00x 2.00x |
3.67x 2.10x 2.12x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
150ms 206ms 505ms |
97ms 250ms 566ms |
137ms 181ms 737ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 3% 5% |
1% 2% 4% 6% |
0% 1% 3% 6% |
LG's new drive had no problems reading BD-R, BD-RE and BD-R DL media. In our tests, the GGC-H20L was able to read BD-R discs at 6x and BD-R DL media at 4.8x. Unfortunately, like the GGW-H20L, it reached a maximum transfer rate of only 2.3x when reading BD-RE discs.
Nero DiscSpeed 4 - HD DVD-ROM:
To test the GGC-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 GGC-H20L |
LG GGW-H20L |
|
| Transfer Speed Average: Start: End: |
2.27x 1.28x 1.31x |
2.27x 1.28x 1.31x |
| Seek Times Random: 1/3: Full: |
138ms 225ms 237ms |
138ms 230ms 604ms |
| CPU Usage 1x: 2x: 4x: 8x: |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
0% 1% 1% 2% |
The GGC-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.
Performance Revisited:
Like LG's previous Super Multi Blue drives, the GGC-H20L performed pretty well in our tests. The drive had no problems playing back Blu-ray and HD DVD movies and was fairly quick when reading single layer BD-ROM's and BD-R media. Reading and writing to CD's and DVD's wasn't a problem for the GGC-H20L either. The drive had no problem reaching its rated read speeds and turned in some impressive times in our writing tests. With all things considered, the LG GGC-H20L gets a solid 8 out of 10 for the performance section of this review.
