1. A method comprising: establishing a write performance model based on a plurality of test runs on a recordable medium while varying write parameters; writing, based upon at least one of write parameters estimated by the write performance model, a portion of user data designated as sample data to the recordable medium to provide written sample data; reading the written sample data from the recordable medium; comparing the written sample data read from the recordable medium with the sample data; and altering the write performance model based upon the comparison.