c't test of CD and DVD labels
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 2:12 pmThe newest issue of the German computer magazine c't (No. 9/2004) has a test of CD and DVD labels, with quantitative results.
They performed the tests under "optimal" conditions, i.e. well placed labels (centered, no bubbles) and short term storage under office conditions for 6 label types from 3 vendors (Avery-Zweckform, Herma and Sigel) on both CDs and DVDs. The physical properties (unbalance, jitter and planarity or "angular deviation") and error rates (BLER or PI Sum 8 ) were measured with a CATS scanner and other devices by Audiodev before and after the labels were applied.
Here a short summary:
These results (for the most part) are probably not surprising to forum-dwellers, who have a general suspicion of anything more massive than a Sharpie-line on their discs, but it's interesting to see concrete numbers. Personally, I do use labels for audio CDs and some video CDs and will continue to do so for home use. CDs "stored" under sub-optimal conditions, e.g. in a car, shouldn't have labels applied.
G
They performed the tests under "optimal" conditions, i.e. well placed labels (centered, no bubbles) and short term storage under office conditions for 6 label types from 3 vendors (Avery-Zweckform, Herma and Sigel) on both CDs and DVDs. The physical properties (unbalance, jitter and planarity or "angular deviation") and error rates (BLER or PI Sum 8 ) were measured with a CATS scanner and other devices by Audiodev before and after the labels were applied.
Here a short summary:
- Thinner labels affect the media less than thicker ones
- CD's are not noticeably affected by well placed labels (N.B. this is for scans @1x).
- BLER, 3T-jitter and unbalance weren't significantly affected.
- Angular deviation more than doubled though (typical: 0.8° -> 1.8°), and exceeded the specs (max. 1.6°). This may cause problems at high reading speeds. - DVD's are essentially destroyed by most labels- PI Sum 8 > 1000 (from 10) and DC-jitter > 13% (from 8%) are typical.
The high information density leads to strong reactions to the increased angular deviation, particularly in the outer parts of the discs. Only one make (Herma 8994, a silver plastic foil) was "OK".
These results (for the most part) are probably not surprising to forum-dwellers, who have a general suspicion of anything more massive than a Sharpie-line on their discs, but it's interesting to see concrete numbers. Personally, I do use labels for audio CDs and some video CDs and will continue to do so for home use. CDs "stored" under sub-optimal conditions, e.g. in a car, shouldn't have labels applied.
G