The Create data disc test is available as an advanced version on the Create Disc tab and as a classic version on the Benchmark tab.
You can use the classic test to analyze the read speed and the rotational speed. You can use the advanced test to also measure the buffer level and the CPU usage caused by the optical drive.
The advanced test is run on the Create Disc tab, and the result is also displayed here.
The results are displayed on the graph in the form of the following four curves:
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- Writing Speed
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- Rotation
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- Buffer level
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- CPU usage
The horizontal scale shows the values for disc capacity (in MB for CD’s and in GB for DVD’s). The vertical scales show the write speed on the left and the rotational speed on the right (in RPM x 1000).
A progress bar between the diagram and the display area shows the burning progress.
You will find general information on the disc that is inserted in the drive in the Disc info area, to the right of the graph. The following display panels are available:
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Type
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Shows the disc type of the disc in the drive.
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ID
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Shows the media code of the disc.
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Length
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Shows the recording capacity of the disc in the drive (in MB for CD’s and GB for DVD’s).
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| Disc type |
Disc type refers to different optical storage media with different specifications. The best known are CD’s and DVD’s that can be written to once or multiple times, and which are manufactured with different storage capacities.
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As a basic principle, all settings defined in the options apply to the standard test on the Benchmark tab. All settings affecting the advanced test are configured directly on the Create Disc tab.
The colors in the graph are an exception to this. If you want to change these colors, you can do so in the options under the User Interface navigation entry.
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You can define necessary preferences for the test in the Settings area to the right of the graph. The following setting options are available:
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Menu
Speed
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Defines the speed at which the test is run. The available entries in the drop-down menu vary depending on the disc in the drive.
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Check box
Burn image
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If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed writes an image file that you have selected to the recordable disc instead of writing previously defined binary data.
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Check box
Simulate
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If this check box is enabled, Nero DiscSpeed simulates the process to create all the test results instead of writing data on the recordable disc.
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The test results are also displayed in the Speed, Buffer, CPU Usage, and Progress areas to the right of the graph. The following areas are available:
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Speed
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Shows the partial results of the speed test.
Current/Average shows the varying speed over the course of the test. The average speed is displayed here when the test is finished.
Start – Shows the lowest speed detected over the course of the test. In a normal curve, the lowest speed is also the start speed. In an uneven curve, the lowest recorded speed is displayed here as the minimum value.
Type – Shows the type of rotational speed.
End – Shows the highest speed determined over the course of the test. In a normal curve, the highest speed is reached at the end. In an uneven curve, the highest recorded speed is displayed here as the maximum value.
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Buffer
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Shows the percentage usage of the buffer during the write test, both graphically in the bar and numerically beside it. The values for the minimum buffer level, the maximum buffer level, and the average buffer level are listed below from left to right. These values are continuously refreshed over the course of the test.
If the Show graph check box is enabled, a representation of the buffer level is plotted on the graph. The small colored square to the left shows the color of the line. You can change this color according to your requirements in the options under the User Interface navigation entry.
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CPU usage
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Shows the CPU usage during the write test graphically in the bar and numerically beside it. The values for the minimum CPU usage, the maximum CPU usage, and the average CPU usage are listed below from left to right. These values are continuously refreshed over the course of the test.
If the Show graph check box is enabled, a representation of the CPU usage is plotted on the graph. The small colored square to the left shows the color of the line. You can change this color according to your requirements in the options under the User Interface navigation entry.
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Progress
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Position continuously indicates the current position of the read head on the disc during the write process.
Elapsed specifies in minutes and seconds the time elapsed since the write process started.
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See also
| Rotational speed |
Discs can be read and/or burned in different ways. As a general rule, the reading process in optical drives starts at the radius of the disc and moves from the center outwards. The two standards used to define the types of rotational speed are linear velocity and angular velocity. With constant angular velocity, the tracks at the center of the disc always travel at the slowest linear velocity. The linear velocity increases as you move away from the center towards the outer edge. Angular velocity (also called rotational speed) describes the change in the rotation angle over time independently of the radius of the disc, i.e. the velocity at which an object loops a sector.
| Buffer |
A buffer refers to temporary memory that records and delivers data that cannot be processed immediately as required. The buffer also allows for continuous data flow.
| CPU usage |
The central processing unit processes a computer’s processes. The higher the computing performance, the higher the load of the CPU and its performance.
| Write Speed |
The write speed indicates the speed at which a drive can write data to the optical storage medium, e.g. 8x or 16x speed.
| RPM |
Revolutions per minute (RPM) is an English unit that is used in mechanics to represent rotational speed. It indicates the number of complete revolutions per minute.
| Disc type |
Disc type refers to different optical storage media with different specifications. The best known are CD’s and DVD’s that can be written to once or multiple times, and which are manufactured with different storage capacities.