Nero CD Speed: DVD+RW	Source: Ahead Software

Nero's CD Speed burn tests a DVD+RW rated to 2.4-4x. The disc is burned with files of about 4.7GB in size. This test is done by simply placing the blank recording media into the burner and running CD Speed. The software will detect the type of DVD media and run the appropriate test.

Nero CD Speed: DVD+RW
DVD+RW

Nero CD Speed: DVD+RW Benchmark Results
Optical Drive	Samsung WriteMaster SE-W164	Gigabyte GO-W1616A	MSI DR16-B	AOpen DRW8800	Gigabyte GO-W0808A	LG GSA-4082B
Media	DVD+RW	DVD+RW	DVD+RW	DVD+RW	DVD+RW	DVD+RW
Media Write Speed:	4x	4x	4x	4x	4x	4x
Avg Speed:	4.01x	4.05	4x	4.30	4.02	4x
Start Speed:	4.01x	3.98	3.99x	4.30	3.96	4x
End Speed:	4.01x	4.09	4x	4.30	4.05	4x
Type	CLV	CLV	CLV	CLV	CLV	CLV

Most commercial DVD+RW media on the market is still only 4x compatible. It should be no surprise that the Samsung drive can reach that mark with ease.

Nero CD Speed: DVD+R DL	Source: Ahead Software

Nero's CD Speed burn tests a DVD+R DL rated at 2.4x. The program emulates a burn that would fill the disc with 8.5GB of data. This test is done by simply placing blank recording media into the burner and running CD Speed the software.

Nero CD Speed: DVD+R DL
DVD+R DL

Nero CD Speed: DVD+R DL Benchmark Results
Optical Drive	Samsung WriteMaster SE-W164	Gigabyte GO-W1616A	MSI DRI6-B	LG GSA-4120B
Media	DVD+R DL	DVD+R DL	DVD+R DL	DVD+R DL
Media Write Speed:	2.4x	2.4x	2.4x	2.4x
Avg Speed:	6.23x	4.3x	2.4	2.4
Start Speed:	3.46x	2.4x	2.39	2.4
End Speed:	8.31x	5.74x	2.4	2.4
Type	CLV	CAV	CLV	CLV

We were very impressed that the Samsung WriteMaster SE-W164 was able to run up to 8x in the DVD+R DL tests. The media is only rated at 2.4x but that did not stop Samsung!

A External DVD- Burner

When it comes to moving a large amount data around, DVD burners really are a godsend. There are other forms of removeable media that store more data but none are as easy to use or transport as a DVD disc. Having an external DVD writer simply sweeten's things.

If you are one of the new wave of computer users that rely mainly on a laptop at work, external DVD writers might be the only way for you to taste DVD burning goodness. There are many options on the market and choosing the right one can be difficult.

If you do not want to look around, the new Samsung WriteMaster SE-W164 is an excellent DVD burner that is as fast as anything else on the market. With a maximum burn speed of 16x for single layer media and 8x for DVD+R DL and 6x for DVD-R DL media, the SE-W164 can back up a lot of data in a short period of time.

The drive itself is not very flashy but that should not be a surprise since Samsung does not rely on gimmicks to move its wares. For an external device the SE-W164 is quite small and can easily be transported with laptops, although the 1.2kg will definitely be noticeable.

During operation the drive was extremely quick, in fact its access times were among the fastest we have ever tested! Who says you cannot have a low latency high speed device run externally? ;-) We were impressed with the SE-W164's ability to burn our DVD+R DL media at 8x, especially considering it is only rated for 2.4x data transfers.

I am not sure how much the Samsung WriteMaster SE-W164 will retail for as it has not quite hit the retail market yet but I am sure it will be hot. If you are looking for an external burner, look no further, Samsung really has hit a home run with this drive!

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