Product Description

Super All Write & Lightscribe 20X Internal DVDl RW Double Layer + Super All-Write + Lightscribe, Retail Black & White Bezels .

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24944 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Lite-On
• Model: LH20A1L06
• Dimensions: 3.90" h x 9.10" w x 8.40" l, 3.00 pounds

Features

• SMART-BURN
• SMART-X
• ABS system reduce vibration and noise during recording and reading

Customer Reviews

Cheap and reliable
I have had this drive for about 4 months. It burns reliably (though burning over 12x gets a bit funky). The Lightscribe is pretty nice to have, although it takes a while for jobs. I personally do not etch graphics to discs, since it takes up a lot of my time. So far, I have burned Sony, RiData, Memorex, and Verbatim (being the best, w/o failure).

I installed the drive into an external drive enclosure, without incident.

Just a word of caution, when burning to disc, the drive sounds like a propeller plane getting ready for take-off. The vibrations also make my computer desk to resonate a hum. No big deal, but it may for some.

Easy Installation for Non-Geeks
My old computer recently bit the dust (it was laid to rest with the ceremony due a faithful soldier) and, for the first time in years, I had the opportunity to build a system from the ground up. I figured since I was starting from scratch anyway, I might as well use the latest tech available, and that means SATA.

Now, according to a popular on-line encyclopedia, SATA is great because, "the main advantages over the older parallel ATA interface are faster data transfer, ability to remove or add devices while operating (hot swapping), thinner cables that let air cooling work more efficiently, and more reliable operation with tighter data integrity checks."

The only part I saw was *FASTER* - I'm a guy, so if it's faster, it's gotta be better, right?

Right.

But for some reason SATA, which has been around since at least 2004, hasn't caught on in the accessories area and SATA hard drives and DVD-R's can be hard to find. This Lite-On 20x Super All Write LightScribe Internal DVD/Dual Layer RW Drive (LH20A1L06) is one of the better options in an admittedly limited field of choices.

Some other reviews have talked about the drive feeling frail or light-weight, but that wasn't my impression. It seemed solid enough and compared favorably with one of my favorite burners the Sony DRU-800A Internal ATAPI/EIDE Double-Layer/Dual-Format DVD/CD Recorder. Other comments have stated that they needed to download software or were missing a data cable. I didn't have any of those problems. But, just for the record, what I got was the drive, a white faceplate (in case you don't like the default color), Nero 7 (LightScribe edition), data cable, four screws, and assorted documentation.

Nero is my favorite burning software, and was I so completely in love with version 6 that I really hesitated when I saw that this drive comes with version 7. But you have to use it, if you want to use the LightScribe features and burn your labels to your CD's and DVD's. I have to report that, to date, my experience with Nero 7 Ultra Edition Enhanced Pc & Home Entrmnt Soln has been uniformly positive.

I'm guessing that most people who buy this drive are not your average PC user. I think there's only a few of us dinosaurs around who remember the days when nothing was plug-n-play and the idea of an external drive was a laughable fantasy, induced by too much Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete Seasons 1-3 and Tab. But, I consider myself an Übergeek and the idea of cracking the case open not only didn't intimidate me - I was looking forward to it!

The beauty of a SATA install is how easy it is. No jumper pin settings, no worrying about CD0 vs. CD1 (or is it the other way around?) After opening the case, screwing down the burner, and plugging it in, Windows will find it without any fuss and you're ready to rock. Well, after installing the aforementioned Nero 7 software.

That said, a couple of cautions may be in order. Of course, make sure your PC is unplugged before ever thinking about opening the case. Back up your documents (maybe by copying them to an Iomega Desktop Hard Drive 500 GB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 External Hard Drive). And before installing any software, I always like to create a system restore point.

A system restore point is a handy little program from Microsoft® that allows you to "roll-back" changes made to your system to an earlier date in time. Is it perfect, heck no. But it's pretty stable and it's saved me a time or two. And it can't hurt.

Creating a system restore is super easy. To get to System Restore, go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore

From the the first pop-up screen select, "Create a restore point." Next, enter a restore point description (the current date and time will be automatically added.) Select "Create." One you get the confirmation that the restore point has been created, select "close."

Now, theoretically, if installing some piece of software hoses you up, you should be able to roll-back any changes made to your system, in addition to just uninstalling the offensive software.

As I write this review I haven't used the LightScribe feature and, in general, I probably won't. The LightScribe disks are still a little too pricy for me - especially as compared to a Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Tip 5 pack Black. Plus, I've worked with LightScribe, at least an early version of it, and I wasn't overwhelmed with the quality of the print you get. It's a kind of grainy monochrome that reminds me of 50's pictures from my parent's photo album. But maybe it's gotten better and I'm all wet. I'll buy some LS-capable CD's, burn a label and post a picture here, so you can judge for yourself.

All-in-all, I'm pretty happy with this drive. It's a little noisy when burning, but the install was easy, the software works great, and I had everything I needed all in the same box.

F A S T - fast
I have owned dozens of DVD drives and this one beats them all, period. I installed this drive as #2 in my new Dell 531 desktop and it beats the #1 Dell drive (a 12x drive) by 3 to 1 in pure reading speed. I am not talking about some benchmark program numbers, I mean in real world use. I am converting a CD collection to MP3s etc. and the read rate from this drive is 12 to 13 Mbs. It is simply amazing.

So after two weeks and dozens hours using this drive I am going to order another one to replace the Dell drive. I can digitize (MP3 ize) 3 CDs using this drive before the other drive completes 1 CD.

One NEGATIVE about the drive - It feels cheap and the disc tray seems flimsy to me. It works every time but feels "lose" or something.

Enjoy