Just got a DVD writer, any comments? Lite-On

[sleepy180]

Hi all, i just received a Lite-On External SOHW-1693SX. i havnt opened it yet and was just wondering if anyone had any comments on it. it was only around $120 and was a kinda of spur of the moment type buy. could i get better for around the same price?

i also baught some verbatim DVD-R VERBATIM 4.7G 50PK of blanks for 22 bucks.

just wondering if i could have gotten something better. and what people thought of these. thanks

[jdizzy40]

Go to the DVD Writer section to the left here and see what others have posted rather than ask for "how is it feedback. Media is media, where they are made and the process makes the difference between good and bad media. DVDInfo Pro can check your media to find out what you have. Then look to the left under media and look for the code. Burning a disc using your set-up will determine your sucess only!

[lordsmurf]

Burner is fine. Probably average price.
Discs are fine. Good price.

You're good to go.

[ROF]

A very good burner although slightly overpriced. I was considering this burner or Plextor PX-740UF. Both were priced at $100, but the Plextor had a $20 Rebate, so for the added option of firewire or USB2 plus the added speed and native support for 8x burning I opted for the Plextor. I am told that 8x burning is possible with the Lite-on, but you will need a firmware update to do so. Another issue you might notice is if you connect to the internet via your USB2, your burner may randomly adjust itself to a slower burning speed or be using it burn-proof technology to slow itself down in order to achieve proper burns. To avoid this, when burning disconnect from the network. That will assure yourself that none of your other software is attempting to call home or update themselves in the background. Anti-Virus software is one example of software that likes to do that.

A good investment and I'd be curious as to what results you achieve with this drive. Depending on price discounts I may recommend it to others looking for an external burning solution. The discs you bought were also a good price for the quantity. Verbatims have been reliable for me.

[Alan69]

Hi all, i just received a Lite-On External SOHW-1693SX. i havnt opened it yet and was just wondering if anyone had any comments on it. it was only around $120 and was a kinda of spur of the moment type buy. could i get better for around the same price?

That may not be too bad for local and external. But do be aware that the drive itself is only $40ish from Newegg and similar for internal ones, and there are $15 kits for USB to IDE. The drive is small and looks ok just bare external, if the covering isn't a big issue the savings will buy you a spare or your next drive etc. $30-$35 will get an enclosed case version..

If the money's not a big deal what you've got is probably fine already though, just can be put together and the left over will about cover your next upgrade. Tends to be a good drive, it's the one I just ordered to upgrade after doing some research on what's current..

Alan

[ROF]

That may not be too bad for local and external. But do be aware that the drive itself is only $40ish from Newegg and similar for internal ones, and there are $15 kits for USB to IDE. The drive is small and looks ok just bare external, if the covering isn't a big issue the savings will buy you a spare or your next drive etc. $30-$35 will get an enclosed case version..

If the money's not a big deal what you've got is probably fine already though, just can be put together and the left over will about cover your next upgrade. Tends to be a good drive, it's the one I just ordered to upgrade after doing some research on what's current..

Alan

If you ordered it today from newegg you've paid $89 - $10 rebate = $79. It's not a $40 drive unless I'm missing something.

[winifreid]

The internal version is less than $40. You could convert it to external via the method described and save some bucks. I have the internal version and I am very happy. It is a 16x drive and if you use hacked firmware, it can rip at 16, as well. I don't know about the verbatim. It depends on the code, some are mcc, which are okay. For $22, you could do better, but they should be okay. Check out cdfreaks.com for some nice firmware info on this drive.

[ROF]

Question: Without hacked firmware this drive has a rip-lock set to ?? speed?

If considering an external enclosure there are three things to consider before you purchase:

1) Power Switch (Never buy one without it)

2) Fits both 3.5 and 5.25 drives.

3) Activity LED (No LED means chances of corrupt drive increases)

Just some advice from someone with plenty of experience in these things.

[sleepy180]

thanks for the comments. exactly what i wanted to know. and i was wrong when i said i payed $120 for it, that was the price from circuit city. i did pay the 89+10 from newegg.

I am told that 8x burning is possible with the Lite-on, but you will need a firmware update to do so

i have another question now, what is this hacked firmware you guys are talking about? ill do a search right now but just kinda want it from the horses mouth so to speak.

Another issue you might notice is if you connect to the internet via your USB2, your burner may randomly adjust itself to a slower burning speed or be using it burn-proof technology to slow itself down in order to achieve proper burns.

on my computer i have a 4 usb 2.0 ports (which my dvd burner will go into) and i have 4 regular usb (the pre-usb2.0 ports). will that slowdown of burn speed still happen if the only thing plugged into a usb 2.0 port is the dvd burner? i connect through the internet through a ethernet card and then through a router to the modem.

sorry if all this sounds confusing, im pretty computer retarded. again thanks for the help.

[winifreid]

It doesn't matter what else is connected to your usb ports. I have not noticed the burner slow down, but I have an internel version. To check on the firmware go here http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=102

Use the omnipatcher and the latest frmware form codeguys. It will not harm your burner and will allow you to rip at greater speeds and improve quality for some media.