Nero DiscSpeed Manual Nero AG
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Contents Contents 1 General information 5 1.1 About the manual 5 1.2 About Nero DiscSpeed 5 2 Technical information 6 2.1 System requirements 6 3 Launching the program 7 3.1 Launching Nero DiscSpeed via Nero StartSmart 7 4 Main screen 8 5 Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 10 5.1 User interface 10 5.2 Standard tests 12 5.3 Transfer rate 13 5.4 Access/seek times 15 5.5 Save 16 5.6 Autorun 17 5.7 Disc quality 18 5.
Contents 8 Create Disc tab 29 8.1 Create data disc (advanced version) 29 8.2 Starting the test 32 9 Disc Info tab 33 10 Disc Quality tab 35 10.1 Quality test 35 10.2 Starting the test 38 11 ScanDisc tab 40 11.1 ScanDisc test 40 11.2 Starting the test 42 12 Additional tests 43 12.1 12.1.1 12.1.2 12.1.3 Advanced DAE quality test Creating a test CD Running the test Error test 43 44 46 48 12.
General information 1 General information 1.1 About the manual This manual is intended for all users who want to find out how to use Nero DiscSpeed. It is task-based and explains how to achieve a particular objective on a step-by-step basis. In order to make best use of this manual, please note the following conventions: Symbol Meaning Indicates warnings, preconditions or instructions that have to be followed strictly. Indicates additional information or advice. 1.
Technical information 2 Technical information 2.1 System requirements Nero DiscSpeed is installed together with the Nero full version and its system requirements are the same. You can find more detailed information on the system requirements in the Nero QuickStart Guide.
Launching the program 3 Launching the program 3.1 Launching Nero DiscSpeed via Nero StartSmart To launch Nero DiscSpeed via Nero StartSmart, proceed as follows: 1. Click on the Nero StartSmart icon. Æ The Nero StartSmart window is opened. 2. Click on the button. Æ The list of Nero applications is displayed. Fig. 1: Nero StartSmart 3. Select the Nero DiscSpeed entry in the Tools list box. Æ The Nero DiscSpeed window opens. Î You have launched Nero DiscSpeed via Nero StartSmart.
Main screen 4 Main screen The Nero DiscSpeed main screen is the starting point for all actions that you perform using Nero DiscSpeed. The main screen comprises the menu bar, a drop-down menu showing the available drives, various buttons for starting, terminating, and configuring the application, as well as five tabs. Each tab is assigned specific features.
Main screen You must save a snapshot before removing the disc you are testing from the drive. Otherwise the image will be deleted from the clipboard. A snapshot saves only the graphical representation, the results in all further displays are lost. We recommend that you save the test result by means of the settings in the options under the Save navigation entry (see Save). The following tabs are available: Displays the Benchmark tab.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 5 Nero DiscSpeed - Options window The Nero DiscSpeed – Options window provides various options for customizing the appearance of the Nero DiscSpeed interface and making settings according to your requirements. button. It comprises a navigation tree and various The window can be opened using the setting options. Different input areas will be displayed depending on the entry selected in the navigation tree. 5.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window Specifies the priority for Nero DiscSpeed. Priority area Each process under Microsoft Windows® is executed with a specific priority that is determined by the possibility to access the computer's resources (e.g. memory). Set the priority to High to prevent your tests being interfered with by other processes running concurrently on the computer. Specifies the color of the main screen (Benchmark tab in the foreground).
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 5.2 Standard tests The Standard Tests navigation entry offers setting options in the Selected tests, Speed, and Spin-up time areas. Fig. 4: Nero DiscSpeed – Options window: Standard Tests navigation entry The following setting options are available: Selected tests area Defines the tests that will be automatically run when you click on the Start button in the main screen. All tests are enabled by default. Read speed Defines the speed for the transfer rate test.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 5.3 Transfer rate The Transfer Rate navigation entry offers setting options in the Graph and Write options areas specifically for the transfer rate test. Fig. 5: Nero DiscSpeed – Options window: Transfer Rate navigation entry You can define the settings for the graphical representation in the Graph area.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window You can define the write options in the Write options area. The following setting options are available: Defines the write mode for discs. SAO Write mode area option button In SAO (session-at-once) mode you can additionally check the Overburn box for CDs and/or DVDs. You enter the exact data quantity in the corresponding text boxes. TAO option button Selects TAO (track-at-once) mode. Session-at-once mode is selected by default.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 5.4 Access/seek times The Access/Seek Times navigation entry offers setting options in the Measure und Number of operations areas specifically for the access/seek times test (see Access/seek times). Fig. 6: Nero DiscSpeed – Options window: Access/Seek Times navigation entry The following setting options are available: Defines which of the two tests will be run.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 5.5 Save Under the Save navigation entry you can specify a storage location and file name that are automatically selected if you have enabled the Autosave feature. Fig. 7: Nero DiscSpeed – Options window: Save navigation entry The following setting options are available: Autosave check box If this box is checked, Nero DiscSpeed will automatically save all test results either in CSV or in HTML format.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 5.6 Autorun You can make detailed settings for the autostart feature under the Autorun navigation entry. Fig. 8: Nero DiscSpeed – Options window: Autorun navigation entry The following setting options are available: Start selected tests automatically check box Starts the series of tests selected under the Standard Tests navigation entry (see Standard tests) automatically as soon as a disc is inserted in the drive.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 5.7 Disc quality The Disc Quality navigation entry offers setting options for the quality test in the General, QuickScan, Graph limit, and Colors areas. Fig. 9: Nero DiscSpeed – Options window: Disc Quality navigation entry In the General area you can enable and/or disable a number of general options for the quality test. The following check boxes are available: Shows the intervals of the graphical representation in colored graduations.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window The following option buttons and drop-down menus are available: Automatically adapts the graduated scale values to the number of errors measured. Automatic option button Locked option button Maximum speed CD/DVD spin box A value of 10 is defined as the initial value for both C1 Errors/PI Errors and for C2 Errors/PI Failures. If more errors are found, Nero DiscSpeed automatically adapts the scales to the higher value. Defines the maximum values on the scales as locked.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window 5.8 Capture The Capture navigation entry offers setting options for saving test results with the help of the snapshot feature (see Main screen). Fig. 10: Nero DiscSpeed – Options window: Capture navigation entry The following setting options are available: Capture to clipboard button check box If this box is checked, the it will be hidden. Capture to file button check box If this box is checked, the it will be hidden.
Nero DiscSpeed - Options window Creates file names according to user-defined parameters. This text box is only available if the Show file dialog box is not checked. You can compile the parameters in any order. Arrange all the parameters you want in the text box. If all parameters are cleared from the text box it means that a file name cannot be automatically generated.
Benchmark tab – standard tests 6 Benchmark tab – standard tests All standard tests are run in the main screen on the Benchmark tab. You can run tests individually or combined into a test series (see Running a standard test series). The following standard tests are available: Transfer rate DAE quality Access/seek times CPU usage Burst rate Spin up/down Load/eject Create data disc (classic version) Fig.
Benchmark tab – standard tests 6.1 Transfer rate The transfer rate test measures the transfer rate of data, i.e. the speed at which data is read out from a disc (read speed). If the disc inserted is blank, the test measures the write speed. This test is suitable for testing a drive and/or for verifying the readability of burned discs (CDs or DVDs). If your main interest is testing drives, it is a good idea to use discs that are easily damaged.
Benchmark tab – standard tests PCAV (partial CAV): In a combination of CAV and CLV, CAV technology is used towards the center of the disc. When a particular linear velocity is reached, CLV technology is switched to towards the outer edge of the disc. In other words, the rotational speed remains constant until the read speed has reached a maximum value; the read speed then remains at a constant level while the rotational speed decreases. Discs can be read and/or burned in different ways.
Benchmark tab – standard tests the access time encompasses the seek time and in addition the period of time for reading a specific area. From this it follows that the seek time is always shorter than the access time. The following partial measurements are performed for seek or access times: Random Moves the optical head to a random position on the disc. 1/3 Moves the optical head from the start of the disc over the first third.
Benchmark tab – standard tests The time a drive needs to load and/or eject a disc should always be roughly the same, regardless of the disc type. The duration depends on how quickly the drive opens the tray and closes it again. The time a drive needs to detect a disc inserted in the drive is dependent on the disc type. It takes longer to detect a multisession disc than a disc containing a single session. The results of the measurements are displayed at the bottom of the screen in the description field. 6.
Starting a standard test and/or test series 7 Starting a standard test and/or test series All standard tests are run on the Benchmark tab. You can start and run the various standard tests individually or in combination as a test series. 7.1 Running an individual standard test The following requirement must be satisfied: The Benchmark tab is selected in the main screen. To start an individual test, proceed as follows: 1.
Starting a standard test and/or test series You can stop a test in progress at any time by clicking on the Stop button. Î You can now infer the result of the test from the graphical representation and/or the relevant displays and save it. A snapshot saves only the graphical representation, the results in all further displays are lost. We recommend that you save the test result by means of the settings in the options under the Save navigation entry. 7.
Create Disc tab 8 Create Disc tab 8.1 Create data disc (advanced version) 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. Both versions are essentially the same (see Create data disc (classic version) ). In addition to evaluating the write and rotational speeds as in the classic test, with the advanced test you can also measure the buffer level and the CPU usage of the drive.
Create Disc tab The following description fields are available: Type Shows the disc type of the disc in the drive. ID Shows the media code of the disc. Length Shows the recording capacity of the disc in the drive (in MB for CDs and GB for DVDs). You can define essential preferences for the test in the Settings area to the right of the graphical representation. As a basic principle, all settings defined in the options apply to the standard test on the Benchmark tab.
Create Disc tab Shows the percentage usage of the buffer during the write test graphically in the bar and numerically beside it. Buffer 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 box is checked, a representation of the buffer level will be plotted on the graph. The small colored square to the left shows the color of the line.
Create Disc tab 8.2 Starting the test The following requirement must be satisfied: The Create Disc tab is selected in the main screen. To start the create data disc test, proceed as follows: 1. If there are a number of drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu. 2. Make the settings you want in the Settings area to the right of the graphical representation. 3. Insert a blank disc in the drive if you are not running a simulation. 4. Click on the Start button.
Disc Info tab 9 Disc Info tab The Disc Info tab provides detailed information on the disc in a drive. Fig. 14: Disc Info tab The information is displayed in a description box divided into the areas Basic Information, Extended Information, and Raw Data. You can tailor the display to your requirements using the check boxes under the description box.
Disc Info tab You will find general information on the disc in the drive in the Basic Information area. The following description fields are available: Disc type Shows the disc type of the disc in the drive. Book type Shows the book type of the disc in the drive. Manufacturer MID Shows the manufacturer's name. If the manufacturer is not known, this field will contain Unknown. Shows the media identification code (MID). The MID identifies the disc.
Disc Quality tab 10 Disc Quality tab 10.1 Quality test The detailed quality test is available on the Disc Quality tab. This test is particularly useful for burned discs. The quality test can only be reliably run with a recorder; a reader on its own is not sufficient. The quality test is also referred to as a scan. Nero DiscSpeed offers a quick scan and a detailed quality test, i.e. it differentiates between the two versions.
Disc Quality tab If you want to omit a protected area from the bottom graphical representation, check the Use background to show error limits box in the options under the Disc Quality navigation entry (see Disc quality). The horizontal scale in both tables shows the values for disc capacity, in MB for CDs and in GB for DVDs. You can define preferences for the test in the Settings area to the right of the graphical representation.
Disc Quality tab Show read speed check box If this box is checked, the read speed will be displayed in the top graphical representation. The curve is displayed in red by default. You can change this color according to your requirements in the options under the Disc Quality navigation entry. If this box is checked, the write speed will be displayed in the top graphical representation. The curve is displayed in white by default.
Disc Quality tab Speed Shows the scanning speed. The PI Errors area shows information on PI errors found. The following description fields are available: Average Shows the average number of PI errors found. Maximum Shows the maximum number of PI errors. Total Shows the total number of PI errors found. The PI Failures area shows information on PI failures found. The following description fields are available: Average Shows the average number of PI failures found.
Disc Quality tab You can stop a test in progress at any time by clicking on the Stop button. Î You can now infer the results of the test from the graphical representations and/or the relevant displays and save them. A snapshot saves only the graphical representation, the results in all further displays are lost. We recommend that you save the test result by means of the settings in the options under the Save navigation entry.
ScanDisc tab 11 ScanDisc tab 11.1 ScanDisc test The ScanDisc test is available on the ScanDisc tab. You can run it on the ScanDisc tab and this is also where the result is displayed. It can be run in two versions: as a read test and as a C1/C2 – PI/PO test. You can use the read test to test optical drives and/or burned discs. The test checks whether burning was successful and whether all areas can be read. If you want to test burned discs, we recommend that you set the test speed to maximum.
ScanDisc tab The following colors, i.e. status indicators, are available: Green Readable sectors with no errors. Yellow Damaged sectors that can still be read using the recorder's internal error correction feature. Red Damaged sectors that cannot be corrected and are consequently unreadable. The description box under the graphical representation shows the detailed test results. You can define preferences for the test in the Settings area to the right of the graphical representation.
ScanDisc tab The following information is available in the columns in the description box: File Lists the names of the files on the disc in the drive. Position Shows the respective position of the file on the disc. Length Shows the length of the individual files. Quality PIE PIF POE POF Specifies the quality of the files. This score is calculated from the number of errors found. Specifies the number of PI errors found. Only available for the C1/C2 – P1/PO test.
Additional tests 12 Additional tests The Extra menu in the menu bar offers additional tests specifically for analyzing audio CDs, namely the advanced DAE quality test and the overburning test. Fig. 17: Additional tests 12.1 Advanced DAE quality test The advanced DAE quality test differs from the standard DAE quality test. Using a special test disc, the advanced test identifies problems that your drive may have when reading an audio CD.
Additional tests 12.1.1 Creating a test CD The Create Test CD feature lets you burn a special test disc to use in the advanced DAE quality test. This disc is created in the Nero DiscSpeed – DAE Test Disc window. Fig. 18: Advanced DAE quality test: Nero DiscSpeed – DAE Test Disc window You can define preferences for the burn process in the top part of the window.
Additional tests The following information on the write process in progress is displayed in the Write position area: Position Always indicates the current position of the optical pickup on the disc. Relative Always indicates the percentage of the disc already recorded. Indicates the burn progress. The following information on the disc in the drive is displayed in the Disc information area and in the description box: Shows the disc capacity both in MSF (minutes/seconds/frames) and in MB.
Additional tests 12.1.2 Running the test Using the Run Test feature and a special test disc you have created in advance (see Creating a test CD) you can run the advanced DAE quality test. The test is run in the Nero DiscSpeed – Advanced DAE Quality Test window and this is also where the result is displayed. Fig.
Additional tests Read Subchannel Data check box If this box is checked, the subchannel data will be read out during the test. Subchannel data contains information such as index markers, for example. A drive must be able to reproduce this data if it is to create perfect audio copies. The results of two tests are displayed in the Test results area: the sequential read test and the random read test. The sequential read test simulates a DAE under ideal conditions and then runs a harmonic read test.
Additional tests You can stop a test in progress at any time by clicking on the Stop button. Î You can now infer the results of the test from the Test results and On-the-fly copying areas as well as the detailed information in the description box and save them. A snapshot saves only the graphical representation, the results in all further displays are lost. We recommend that you save the test result by means of the settings in the options under the Save navigation entry. 12.1.
Additional tests The error test is run in two steps. First the Create Image feature creates an image file of your test disc (see Creating an image). Next the Run Test feature reads out the data and compares it with the image file (see Running the test with a DAE test disc). 12.1.3.1 Creating an image The Create Image feature lets you extract the data from an A-BEX disc to create an errorfree image file on the hard drive - provided the drive can create the file from the data provided.
Additional tests 12.1.3.2 Running the test with an A-BEX test disc The Run Test feature reads out the data on an A-BEX disc and compares it with an image file of the same disc. This test ensures that the copy created is perfect. The test is run in the Nero DiscSpeed – Advanced DAE Error Correction Test window. Fig.
Additional tests C2 missed Shows the number of C2 errors missed. Shows the number of compare errors found. Compare errors Compare errors occur when the audio data read out does not match the compare data from the image file. Shows the number of synchronization errors found. Sync errors Synchronization errors occur when data is correct but has been moved by one or more sectors.
Additional tests 12.1.3.3 Running the test with a DAE test disc Instead of using an A-BEX disc, you can also run a restricted version of the test using a DAE test disc that you have previously created (see Running the test with a DAE test disc). It is not necessary to create an image file in this case as Nero Disc Speed is familiar with the contents of the comparison disc. To run the test, proceed as follows: 1. If there are a number of drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu. 2.
Additional tests Not all recorders support overburning. Note that overburning can damage a drive. To prevent damage to the drive you should only use this feature for suitable discs. Note that a disc whose lead-out has been written to no longer conforms to the standard specification for CDs and may not therefore be detected by some readers. Overburning is also possible, although not advisable, with DVDs. The outer edge of DVDs is more susceptible to errors.
Additional tests If this box is checked, Nero simulates the burn process rather than writing data to the blank disc. Simulate check box This box is checked by default and cannot be unchecked. If this box is checked, the burn process will be simulated in RAW mode. RAW mode check box The following information on the burn simulation in progress is displayed in the Write position area: Position Always indicates the current position of the optical pickup on the disc.
Additional tests 6. Click on the Start button. Æ The simulation is started. You can monitor the progress of burning in the Write position and Disc information areas as well as in the description box underneath. You can stop a test in progress at any time by clicking on the Stop button. Æ A dialog box specifying the maximum detected capacity is opened. 7. If you want to add the detected value to the internal overburning database, click on the Yes button.
Saving test data 13 Saving test data The Save Results menu item lets you save the full set of results from a test to the hard drive. Only test data saved as binary files with the extension *.dat can be loaded. Test results saved in any other format cannot be opened from the menu bar. Nero DiscSpeed offers various storage formats for saving the full set of results from a test to the hard drive. A snapshot saves only the graphical representation; the results in all other displays are lost.
Loading test data 14 Loading test data The Load Single File menu item lets you load saved test data, while the Database menu item lets you load a number files at once for comparing test results and/or the efficiency of drives. In order to make effective use of the database, i.e. to get comparable results, you should use the same disc for the various tests in all drives. Only test data saved as binary files with the extension *.dat can be loaded.
Loading test data Fig. 24: Nero DiscSpeed – Database window 6. Click on the Graph button. Æ The Nero DiscSpeed – Test Results window is opened and shows a graphical representation of the chosen test results. The results for each test file are displayed in a different color (the Legend area shows which color corresponds to which test). Fig. 25: Nero DiscSpeed – Test Results Î You have loaded your chosen test results.
Erasing a disc 15 Erasing a disc The Erase Disc feature lets you erase data from rewritable media. This test is run in the Nero DiscSpeed – Erase window. Fig. 26: Erasing a disc: Nero DiscSpeed – Erase window A progress bar indicates the status of the test while it is running. You can define the erase method in advance. The following erase methods are available: Erases the table of contents on a disc. Quick If the table of contents is erased, the drive detects the disc as blank.
Changing the bit setting 16 Changing the bit setting The Bit Setting feature lets you change the bit settings/book type of a selected DVD recorder (provided the recorder in question supports this feature). The settings are made in the Nero DiscSpeed – Bit Setting window. Fig. 27: Bit setting: Nero DiscSpeed – Bit Setting window The book type information is what an optical drive uses to detect the type of media inserted.
Changing the bit setting Set as default check box If this box is checked, the chosen changes will be retained as the default for the drive even after the computer is restarted. This box will be grayed out if the drive does not support this feature. The Disc settings area shows the disc type currently selected and the selected book type. To edit the bit settings for a DVD recorder, proceed as follows: 1. If there are a number of drives available, select the one you want in the drop-down menu. 2.
Index 17 Index Error Test....................................................................48 A Running .................................................................. 48, 50, 52 About Nero DiscSpeed ................................................. 5 Starting ......................................................................... 51, 52 About the Manual ......................................................... 5 Extra ..........................................................................
Index Access/Seek Times.............................................................24 Disc Quality............................................................... 9, 35, 40 Burst Rate ...........................................................................25 ScanDisc......................................................................... 9, 40 CPU Usage .........................................................................25 Target Group .........................................................
Contact 18 Contact Nero DiscSpeed is a Nero AG product. Nero AG Im Stoeckmaedle 13-15 76307 Karlsbad Germany Web: www.nero.com Help: http://support.nero.com E-mail: techsupport@nero.
