| Disc type | Reading speed | Writing speed (*) |
|---|---|---|
| CD-ROM | 48x | - |
| CD-R | 48x | 48x |
| CD-RW | 40x | 32x |
| DVD-ROM SL | 16x | - |
| DVD-ROM DL | 13x | - |
| DVD-R | 16x | 18x |
| DVD-RW | 13x | 6x |
| DVD+R | 16x | 18x |
| DVD+RW | 13x | 8x |
| DVD-R DL | 13x | 8x |
| DVD+R DL | 13x | 8x |
(*) max. speed can only be achieved on certain discs
In addition to the NEC AD5170A, the AD5173A also features LabelFlash technology.