File N Document DE/1 - Page 1/19 TEST REPORT. FALCON TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL POST BOX RAS AL KHAIMAH United Arab Emirates

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1 LABORATORIES OF TRAPPES 29 avenue Roger Hennequin Trappes Cedex (France) Tél. : Fax : File N Document DE/1 - Page 1/19 TEST REPORT Applicant: FALCON TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL POST BOX 3117 RAS AL KHAIMAH United Arab Emirates Date of order: 2 January 212 Purpose: Quality assessment of a DVD-R model Reference documents: Standard ECMA-396 (ISO/IEC 16963) December 21 Test Method for the Estimation of Lifetime of Optical Media for Long-term Data Storage Identification of the sample: DVD-R 8x SL Platinum Century Date of samples receipt: 3 January 212 This document may be reproduced in its complete form only.

2 File N Document DE/1 - Page 2/19 SUMMARY 1. GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE TESTS SUBJECT EVALUATION PERIOD DESCRIPTION OF THE DVD-R MODEL ANALYSES DESCRIPTION EQUIPMENT USED PARAMETERS THRESHOLDS GLOBAL EVALUATION ANALYSES RESULTS UNRECORDED DISK ANALYSES RECORDING QUALITY WITH 2 DRIVES LOCAL DEFECTS HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY AGING LIGHT AGING SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSION...16 ANNEX 1 - CALCULUS OF A SCORE FOR DVD-R QUALITY ASSESSMENT...17

3 File N Document DE/1 - Page 3/19 1. GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE TESTS 1.1 SUBJECT The tests include three parts: 1. Assessment of the recording quality with 2 drives 2. Assessment of the durability with tests in harsh climatic conditions 3. Assessment of the durability under light exposure Theses assessments are carried out, with specific analyzers, through measurements of: Error rates Parameters of the HF signal delivered by the optical pickup Parameters of the servo signals of the optical pickup The results are compared to those obtained with current models of DVD-R. 1.2 EVALUATION PERIOD The technical study has been performed from 3 February 212 to 1 April DESCRIPTION OF THE DVD-R MODEL FALCON TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL has supplied 4 disks of the same model. They are bulked, without printable layer or silk-screened image on backside. There is the following inscription in the center ring of the metallized area: DVD-R 224A2 F123 For each disk a serial number is engraved in the polycarbonate substrate. The serial numbers have the following structure: B2OY AA L7312 A.. The Nero Disc Speed software indicates a minimum writing speed of 4x and a maximum writing speed of 8x. The manufacturer identifier (MID) is TTG2. 2. ANALYSES DESCRIPTION 2.1 EQUIPMENT Analyses are performed with two analyzers whose main characteristics are given in the table below. Characteristics of the analyzers MARK MODEL AUTOMATION Mark AudioDev CATS DVDR Pro NO PULSTEC Clover DVX YES PLEXTOR Drive Model Max speed SPD 1 1x (CLV) 16x (CAV) Kinds of analysis Error rates HF signal Servo signals Parameter mapping (1) Mapping is not available for error rates YES YES YES YES (1) YES YES NO NO

4 File N Document DE/1 - Page 4/19 Audio Development analyzer This analyzer (model CATS DVDR Pro Ver. 3.2) is equipped with a PULSTEC drive that is considered as a reference drive. Analyses are performed at the playback speed 1x. They provide information on the numerical errors (PI, PIF, POF) and also on the characteristics of the optical signal (I14, I3, ASYM, etc.) and the characteristics of the servo signals (Radial, FE, etc.). Clover analyzer This analyzer (model DVX with autoloader - version 2.2) has a CD / DVD PLEXTOR drive. It provides information on numerical errors (PI, PO, PIF, POF, etc.), and characteristics of the optical signal (not used in this test). 2.2 USED PARAMETERS Numerical error parameters When reading a disk, the HF signal delivered by the optical pickup is decoded to extract the digital information. Encoding is redundant to allow the correction of errors that necessarily appear during decoding. The correction operates on data blocks with 28 rows and 182 columns. The correction is made at first for the rows. There are two kinds of numerical error parameters, depending on whether they concern rows or columns of data blocks: - PI8 («Inner Parity») is the number of erroneous rows in 8 successive blocks (max value 1664), - POF ( Outer Parity Fails is the number of uncorrectable columns, after the rows correction. It should be equal to, - UNCR is the number of uncorrectable blocks. The analyzers record these parameters for each second of signal (reading at speed 1x). HF parameters These parameters are measured only at speed 1x with the analyzer AudioDev CATS. The High Frequency signal (HF) is the total signal issued from the optical pickup. It is modulated by the burned dashes (pits) in the groove whose lengths (3T, 4T,..., 14T) code the digital information. Amplitude and contrast Three parameters are selected to characterize the amplitude and contrast of the HF signal: - Amax (I14H) is the maximum of the HF signal for long unburned areas (14T lands) expressed as a percentage of a reference value. - I14 / I14H is the contrast of the 14T modulation. - I3 / I14 is the quotient of the amplitudes of 3T and 14T modulations. The Amin parameter is the minimum of the HF signal for long burned areas (14T pits). It is deduced from Amax and I14 / I14H by the following relation: Amin = Amax (1- I14 / I14H)

5 File N Document DE/1 - Page /19 Symmetry The ASYM parameter characterizes the asymmetry of the HF signal, i.e. the fact that the mean level of the 3T modulation is not exactly the same than those of the 14T modulation. ASYM parameter has negative values when the 3T pits are not burned enough and positive values otherwise. This parameter is related to the laser power that is normally adjusted during writing so that the value of symmetry remains close to zero. Jitter Jitter is a parameter that characterizes the time fluctuations of the transitions between pits and lands. The Audiodev analyzer gives the value of DC Jitter ( Data to Clock Jitter ) that is the standard deviation of the shifts of the transition positions versus the clock ticks. Dropout parameters It is possible to detect localized defects with the dropout parameters. The detection of HF-dropout is available for defects with a length higher than 3 µm. The defects that cause dropouts may be on the surface of the disk, such as dirt or scratches. They can also be due to spots in the sensitive layer that may be created during disk making. The dropout parameters are: Dropout count (DOC) that is the number of dropouts within 8 mm tracked distance, Dropout length (DOL) that is the maximum dropout length (µm) within 8 mm tracked distance. 2.3 THRESHOLDS A good DVD is a DVD that can be read without any data loss. It should not have uncorrectable errors (POF). Standardized thresholds exist for some parameters, but they should be considered as high-level thresholds (requirement threshold). We have defined in addition more stringent thresholds (recommended limits) that can characterize a disk with no risk of data loss. To fix this second level, we relied on our experience, taking into account the quality of the current DVD±R. The table below shows the standard requirements and the recommended thresholds (good quality). Thresholds of the used parameters Standard requirements Good quality DVD-R PI8 moyen - lower than 2 max 1 secondes lower than 28 lower than 1 POF ou UNCR equal to equal to R14H (%) higher than 4% higher than % I14 / I14H higher than.6 higher than.6 I3 / I14 higher than. higher than.2 ASYM (%) between -% and +% between -% and +% DC Jitter (%) lower than 9% lower than 8% Radial1 (nm) lower than 16 nm lower than 1 nm Radial2 (nm) lower than 16 nm lower than 1 nm FE (µm) lower than.23 µm lower than.1 µm 2.4 GLOBAL EVALUATION In order to evaluate the recording quality, a global score ( to 2) is calculated from the values of the above parameters. Firstly, a score is calculated for each parameter. Then, the different scores are weighting to calculate a global score. The details of the calculus are given in annex 1.

6 File N Document DE/1 - Page 6/19 3. ANALYSES RESULTS 3.1 UNRECORDED DISK ANALYSES Reflectivity The average, maximum and minimum values of reflectivity are given in the table below. Reflectivity (%) Average over disk 3. Max 4.9 Min.9 Standard deviation 1.2 The curve of reflectivity (Amax), versus the position on the disc, is given below. Each point of the curve is the mean reflectivity of 1s signal at speed 1x ( to 7 laps). The reflectivity is smaller at the end and the beginning of the disc than in the middle (- 7%) % 6 6 Amax Reflectivity of unrecorded disc Radius (mm) Tracking parameters The average, maximum and minimum values of radial noise (Radial1, Radial2) and focus error (FE) are given in the table below. Radial1 (nm) Radial2 (nm) FE (µm) Average over disk Max Min Standard deviation The curves of Radial1 and Radial2, versus the position on the disc (radius), are shown on the graph below. The values of Radial1 and Radial2 are smaller than the recommended limit. Radial acceleration of unrecorded disk nm 2 Radial1 Radial Radius (mm)

7 File N Document DE/1 - Page 7/ RECORDING QUALITY WITH 2 DRIVES One disk is recorded at maximum speed (8x) with the following drives: Drive A : Pioneer 112D (firmware 1.21) recording time 8:3 Drive B : Plextor PX-L89SA (firmware 1.6) recording time 8:14 The recorded data have a total size of 44 Mo. The disk recording is performed with the Nero software (version ). The results of the analyses performed with two analyzers are shown in the tables below. Drive A: PIONEER 112D Writing speed : 8x Audiodev CATS 1x HF SIGNAL TRACKING AND FOCUS SIGNALS VALUES MAX MIN Ave. 1 min 1 min disk SCORES ( to 2) Worst minute Ave. Disk R14H % I3/I I14/I14H ASYM % DC Jitter % Radial nm Radial nm FE µm GLOBAL SCORE Clover 8 x ERROR RATES ERROR RATES PI POF 2. PI UNCR 2..1 Drive B: PLEXTOR PX-L89SA Writing speed : 8x Audiodev CATS 1x HF SIGNAL TRACKING AND FOCUS SIGNALS VALUES MAX MIN Ave. 1 min 1 min disk SCORES ( to 2) Worst minute Ave. Disk R14H % I3/I I14/I14H ASYM % DC Jitter % Radial nm.3.4 Radial nm FE µm GLOBAL SCORE Clover 8 x ERROR RATES ERROR RATES PI POF 2. PI UNCR The global scores obtained with the two drives (. and 13.4) are inside the range 1- that is associated to an acceptable recording quality. With drive A, the score is at the limit for a good recording quality. No POF or uncorrectable errors occur with the two drives.

8 File N Document DE/1 - Page 8/19 Error rates The PI8 curves obtained with the two analyzers are shown on the following figures. The curves of PI8 obtained with the CATS analyzer are under the limit for a good burning quality (dashed -yellow). With the Clover analyzer, it is under this limit only when the disc is recorded with drive A. Analyzer Audiodev CATS Analyzer Clover DVX (Reading speed 1x) (Reading speed 8x) PI8 3 Drive A Série3 Drive B Série4 PI8 3 Drive A Série3 Drive B Série Radius (mm) Radius (mm) HF parameters The curves of the main HF parameters are shown below and next page. The standardized and good disk thresholds are seen as colored dotted straight lines (red and yellow). The HF amplitude and contrast values are inside the limit for good disks. The Jitter values are also under the limit for good disks. HF amplitude % Amax and Amin Drive A Drive B 6 Drive A Drive B 4 Amax Amin Radius (mm)

9 File N Document DE/1 - Page 9/19 HF contrast Contrasts.8 I14 / I14H Drive A Drive A Drive B Drive B.3.2 I3 / I Radius (mm) Symmetry % ASYM Drive A Drive B Série3 Série Radius (mm) DC Jitter % DCJitter Drive A Drive B Série3 Série Radius (mm)

10 File N Document DE/1 - Page 1/19 Additional HF signal analysis The additional analyses have been performed on the best-recorded disk (with drive A). Further testing is done by sampling a small part of the HF signal: 8 ms at the reading speed 1x that corresponds to a tracked distance of about 28 mm. Using special software, we can study in details the HF signal. Particularly, we study the frame beginnings that include either one pit 14T or one land 14T. There are 146 frames in the sampled signal. The average profile of the frame beginnings is shown in the figure below. As an example, a particular profile is superimposed to the mean profile. The standard deviation of the fluctuations versus the average profile is equal to 1.9% of Amax for lands and 2.7% of Amax for pits. Profile of the frame beginnings % Amax Particular profile Mean profile dt % Amax Particular profile Mean profile dt The profiles of lands 14T are normal. On the contrary, about 2% of the pits 14T, as the particular one shown on the figure, exhibit a clear bump in the center of the burned area. The effect of the laser on the dye layer does not seem very stable. 3.3 LOCAL DEFECTS The dropout parameters given by the CATS analyzer have been measured for nine recorded disks with drive A. Many dropouts have been detected for all the disks. The detected dropouts concern a percentage of the detection areas that is comprised between 1, and 3,2%, depending on the disk. This result indicates that there are numerous defects with length greater than the detection threshold of the analyzer (3 µm). They do not seem to be related to the mold because they are not positioned at the same radius for the different discs. These defects do not cause any increase of the error rate PI8 or POF errors. report to be followed on next page

11 File N Document DE/1 - Page 11/ HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY AGING Temperature and humidity aging tests are performed for five recorded disks (with drive A) and one unrecorded disk. They are installed in a climatic chamber at controlled temperature (8 C) and humidity (8%RH). The disks are exposed to these climatic conditions by periods of 2 hours. Analyses are made and before the beginning of the exposure and then after each period of 2 hours. The total duration of exposure is 1 hours (4 periods of 2 hours). The transition from ambient conditions to high temperature and high humidity is done gradually. The return to ambient conditions before each analysis is also done gradually. The used cycles comply with the recommendations of the standard ECMA-396 that is equivalent to ISO / IEC «Test Method for the Estimation of Lifetime of Optical Media for Long-term Data Storage». The following graph shows the evolution of temperature and humidity for a 2 hours exposure at 8 C and 8%RH. The equilibration step at the end of the cycle allows the removal of water molecules trapped in the polycarbonate. This step is necessary before return to ambient temperature. If it is not done or if its duration is insufficient, water bubbles can form inside the polycarbonate, often in contact with the dye layer. Temperature-Hygrometry profile for a 2 hours exposure at 8 C and 8%RH Temperature ( C) Relative Humidity (%) Incubation (2 hours) 8 C 8%RH Equilibration (8 hours) 8 C 3%RH Hours Analyses results Analyses of HF and tracking parameters are performed with the CATS analyzer, for one unrecorded disk and five recorded disk. The average value of each parameter is reported in the following tables versus exposure times. Values that are comprised between the standardized threshold and the good disk threshold are reported in yellow cells. Values beyond the standardized threshold, if any, are reported in red cells. HF and tracking parameters of unrecorded disk T 2h h 7h 1h Amax (%) 2,9 4,4 4,4 - - Radial1 (nm) 7,1 6, 7, - - Radial2 (nm) 2,9 2,9 3, - - FE (µm),4,4, - -

12 File N Document DE/1 - Page 12/19 HF and tracking parameters of recorded disk T 2h h 7h 1h Amax (%) 49,,,,, Amin (%) 12,6 12,8 12,6 12, 12,4 I14 / I14H,74,74,7,7,7 I3 / I14,26,27,27,27,27 ASYM (%),4-2,6-2, -2,6-2,6 DC Jitter (%) 6,2 7,1 6,9 6,8 6, Radial1 6,9 7,3 8, 7,8 8,4 Radial2 4,6,, 4,8 4,6 FE,2,2,3,3,3 The error rates have been measured with two analyzers. The averaged results are reported in the table below. Error rates of recorded disk Audiodev CATS 1x Clover DVX 24x T 2h h 7h 1h PI8 1,6 2, 1,9 2,4 6,7 PI8 (Max 1min),7,4 6,1 7,4 16,1 Total UNCR PI8,7 13,6 11, 14,1,6 PI8 (Max 1min) 3,9 3,3 28,1 32, 31,6 Total UNCR 3 The average value of PI8 and the maximum value over one minute are shown on the graph below. PI8 evolution during high temperature and humidity exposure PI8 3 CATS 1x (Moy) Clover 8x (Moy) (Max 1 min) (Max 1 min) 2 Standard threshold 2 1 T 2 h h 7 h 1 h The stability of the disks after an exposure at 8 C and 8% of relative humidity is very good. After 1 hours, there is almost no increase of the error rates and no evolution of the HF and tracking parameters. We just see a decrease of the HF symmetry (ASYM) after 2 hours. This parameter is then stable.

13 File N Document DE/1 - Page 13/ LIGHT AGING Light aging is performed in a Suntest XLS chamber manufactured by Atlas. This unit is equipped with a 22 W xenon arc lamp. IR and UV filters are used to adjust the spectrum close to those of the solar light filtered by glass, as it is the case inside buildings. The spectrum inside the chamber is shown below. 1.2 Spectrum of Suntest light Radiance (W/m2,sr,nm) Wavelength (nm) The reading side of disks is exposed to light, the illuminance being equal to 7 W/m 2 over the wavelength band 3-8 nm. Inside the chamber, the temperature of a black body is regulated to 2 C. Light tests are performed for four recorded disks (with drive A) and one unrecorded disk. The disks are exposed to light by periods of 4 hours. Analyses are made at the beginning of the test and after each period of exposure. The total exposure duration is 2 hours ( periods of 4 hours). The exposure was not pursued because the disks were no more readable after 2 hours. Analyses results Analyses of HF and tracking parameters are performed with the CATS analyzer. The average of each parameter is reported on the following tables for the different exposure times. The evolution of the parameters is very similar for the four recorded disks, and the values given in tables and graphs are the average for the four disks. Values that are comprised between the standardized threshold and the good disk threshold are reported in yellow cells. Values beyond the standardized threshold are reported in red cells. HF and tracking parameters of unrecorded disk T 4h 8h 12h 16h 2h Amax (%) 3,1 48, 43,4 39,4 3, 32,3 Radial1 (nm) 4,2 3,3 3,7 4,1 3,,9 Radial2 (nm) 2,8 3, 2,9 2,8 13,9 43,6 FE (µm),4,4,4,4,7,12

14 File N Document DE/1 - Page 14/19 HF and tracking parameters of recorded disks T 4h 8h 12h 16h 2h Amax (%) 49, 4,8 42, 37,6 33, 3,9 Amin (%) 12, 12, 12, 12, 12,1 12,1 I14 / I14H,74,74,71,68,64,61 I3 / I14,26,28,29,29,27,26 ASYM (%) -,3 3,3 3, 2,2, -1,4 DC Jitter (%) 6,1 7,2 8,9 1,6 12,3 13,4 Radial1 6,9 7,3 7,3 7,9 8,4 7,9 Radial2 4,6 4,6 4,8,,3,6 FE,2,2,3,3,3,3 The main evolution is that of the land reflectivity (Amax). The reflectivity decreases in proportion to the time exposure, both for recorded and unrecorded disks. The decrease of land reflectivity is about 7,4% of the initial value, for each 4 hours exposure, i.e. 37% for the complete exposure (2 hours). The pit reflectivity (Amin) is stable. In consequence, there is a decrease of the HF signal contrast (I14/I14H). The evolution of Amax and Amin is shown on the graph below. HF signal amplitude during light exposure % Amax Amin 6 4 Good disk threshold Standard threshold T 4 h 8 h 12 h 16 h 2 h The evolution of Jitter is shown on the graph below. It increases regularly with exposure duration. Jitter evolution during light exposure % DCJitter Standard threshold Good disk threshold T 4 h 8 h 12 h 16 h 2 h

15 File N Document DE/1 - Page /19 The error rates have been measured with two analyzers. For 2 hours exposure, analyses were not available with the CATS analyzer for three disks. The averaged results are reported in the table below. Error rates of recorded disks Audiodev CATS 1x Clover DVX 24x T 4h 8h 12h 16h 2h PI8 2,1 9,8 83,4 29,2 1321,2 19,1 PI8 (Max 1min) 6, 18,6 137,8 744,7 1466,9 94, Total UNCR 13 - PI8 21,3 134,3 318,3 24,9 82,3 12, PI8 (Max 1min) 41,3 184,3 39,4 7, 1283, 7, Total UNCR 138 The averaged value of PI8 over the disks and the maximum value over one minute are shown on the graph below. PI8 evolution during light exposure PI8 AudioDev CATS 1x (Moy) Clover 8x (Moy) (Max 1 min) (Max 1 min) Standard threshold Good disk threshold T 4 h 8 h 12 h 16 h 2 h PI8 increases gradually in correlation with the increase of jitter. The standard threshold is exceeded for an exposure duration equal to 8 hours. Uncorrectable errors occur after an exposure duration of 16 hours. report to be followed on next page

16 File N Document DE/1 - Page 16/19 4. SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSION The analyses relative to the Platinum Century FTI DVD-R model have shown: A quite good recording quality with drive A (global score. / 2) and an acceptable quality with drive B (global score 13.4 / 2), In harsh climatic conditions at 8 C and 8% of relative humidity, there is practically no evolution after an exposure of 1 hours for both numerical errors and HF signal parameters, The response to the effect of light is progressive and data loss may occur only after 16 hours exposure at an illuminance of 7 Wm -2. The stability of this DVD-R model is very good, particularly in harsh climatic conditions, if compared to current models of DVD-R. It can be recommended for data archival. Trappes, 3 May 212 Head of EMC and Electrical Safety Department Test Officer Romuald GORJUP Jean-Michel LAMBERT The results mentioned are only applicable to the samples, products or equipments submitted to the LNE and such as defined in the current document.

17 File N Document DE/1 - Page 17/19 ANNEX 1 - CALCULUS OF A SCORE FOR DVD-R QUALITY ASSESSMENT Score is calculated from the minimum value, the maximum value and the average value over the disk of the following parameters: Amax (%) Maximum amplitude of the HF signal (land 11T) I3 / I14 Amplitude of 3T modulation related to 14T modulation I14 / I14H Contrast of 14T modulation ASYM (%) Symmetry parameter DC Jitter (%) Jitter to clock (standard deviation in percentage of clock rate) Radial1 (nm) Radial noise below 1.1 khz Radial2 (nm) Radial noise between 1.1 khz and 1 khz FE (µm) Focus error PI8 Number of erroneous rows in 8 ECC blocks Total POF Total number of uncorrectable columns Total UNCR Total number of uncorrectable blocks For each parameter, score values are between and 2. The following graphs show the relationship between parameters value and score. Amax Standard threshold: 4 % (Score 1) Good disk threshold: % (Score 12.) ASYM Standard threshold: % to +% Good disk threshold: % to +% Score R14H (%) Score ASYM (%) Score 2 I14 / I14H Standard threshold:.6 (Score 1) Good disk threshold:.6 (Score 12) Score 2 I3 / I14 Standard threshold:. (Score 7.) Good disk threshold:.2 (Score 12.) I14 / I14H I3 / I14

18 File N Document DE/1 - Page 18/19 DC Jitter Standard threshold: 9% (Score 12) Good disk threshold: 8% (Score 13.) Radial1 Standard threshold: 16 nm (Score 1) Good disk threshold: 1 nm (Score 13) Score 2 Score Radial1 Moyen Radial1 max DC Jitter (%) Radial1 (nm) Radial2 FE Score 2 Standard threshold: 16 nm (Score ) Good disk threshold: 1 nm (Score 12) 2 Standard threshold:.23 µm (Score ) Good disk threshold:.1 µm (Score 13) Score FE moyen FE Max Radial2 (nm) FE (µm) Score 2 PI8 Standard threshold: 28 (Score ) Good disk threshold: 2 (Score 12.) 2 Score POF and UNCR Errors Total UNCR = 1 Score = 1 Total UNCR = 1 Score = PI Total UNCR

19 File N Document DE/1 - Page 19/19 Before calculating a global score, three intermediate scores are calculated for the evaluation of: HF signal quality (Amax, I3 / I14, I14 / I14H, ASYM, DC Jitter) Tracking and focus signals (Radial1, Radial2, FE) Error rates (PI8, POF, UNCR) For HF signal evaluation, the score is calculated by averaging the scores of the 6 parameters (minimum for 1 minute and average over disk). DC Jitter is taken into account with a weighting coefficient equal to 2. For tracking and focus signals evaluation, the score is calculated by averaging, without weighting, the scores of the 3 parameters (minimum for 1 minute and average over disk). For error evaluation, the score is calculated by averaging the scores of average PI8, maximum PI8 (1 minute) and total POF or UNCR. Finally, a global score is calculated by averaging the three intermediate scores with the following weighting coefficients: HF signal score: 2 Tracking and focus score: 1 Error score 6 (3 for each analyzer) The global score is mainly dependant of the error score, itself mainly dependant of the PI8 values.