LiteOn EZ-DUB External DVD Drive DX-20A4PU

• External Supper Allwrite drive, supports DVD+R/ DVD+RW/ DVD-R/ DVD-RW/ DVD-R DL/ DVD-RAM/ DVD-ROM/ CD-R/ CD-ROM format.
  
  
• Support DVD+/- R DL Recording Function.
  
  
• Portable design, using USB2.0 connection to ensure the best performance.
  
  
• Plug & Play, and emergency manual eject function is embeded.
  
  
• Seamless Link function can avoid buffer under run as well as get the best writing quality by smartly adjusting writing strategy.
  
  
• SMART-X(*1) function adjust CD-DA/ VCD/ DVD data extraction to a fastest allowable speed according to both data request rate from host and disk quality.
  
  
• Support Fixed Packet, Variable Packet, TAO, SAO, DAO, Random Access write, incremental, sequential recording, restricted overwirte, Layer Jump recording, Raw Mode & Over-Burn copy.
  
  
• DVD read compliant: DVD single/dual layer (PTP/OTP), DVD-R(3.9GB/4.7GB), DVD-R multi-borders, DVD-RAM, DVD-R DL, DVD+R/DVD+ R DL single/multi-sessions, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW.
  
  
• CD read compliant: CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM/XA, Photo-CD, Multi-session, Karaoke-CD, Viedo-CD, CD-I FMV, CD Extra, CD Plus, CD-R, and CD-RW.
  
  
• Support both 8cm and 12cm disc of CD and DVD family.
  
  
• Conform to Orange Book: Part 2 CD-R Volume 1, Part 2 CD-R Volume 2 Multi Speed, Part 3 CD-Rw Volume 1 (Known as Low Speed), Part 3 CD-RW Volume 2: High Speed, Part 3 CD-RW Volume 3:Ultra Speed.

Testing

After installing the software and setting the drive up on my desk, I began a series of tests. My first test was to burn a full data DVD at 16x. 20x DVD media is not yet available in my area, so I had to settle for some Taiyo Yuden 16x that I had laying around. The burn process took approximately 6 minutes and 10 seconds. This is a little quicker than average, so I was quite impressed. I also noticed that the CPU usage on my machine did not spike while the drive was burning. The second test that I ran was to run Nero Drive speed on the drive. The results are as follows:

As you can see, the average burst read rate is 23 Mb/s, and the best case access times are just under 114ms. The average read speed was about 11x. These numbers, when compared to other top of the line drives, compare quite well. The software that came with the drive is more than adequate for your average user, but those of you out there with interests in mastering your home collection of DVD videos, will find that video support to be lacking. The dub and file buttons are nice additions, but all of the functionality provided by the two button interface is also available from software.

The DUB and FILE buttons are definitely targeted towards the average home user or business which wants to simply copy a DVD or CD or backup information without the hassle of having to figure out software or settings. For this audience the DUB and FILE buttons are perfect.

Conclusions

After working with this drive for a number of days, I have fallen in love. The read and write speeds are more than adequate for my uses, and it is designed well enough that it looks good sitting on the corner of my desk. When I compared the speeds of this drive to comparable drives on the market, I found that this drive was equal or better than all of them. With Blueray disc burner drives still in the several hundred dollar range, it seems that DVD may still have some life in it as a storage and playback format. This Lite-On drive may be the last you will need to purchase before the world goes Blueray.

All in all, Lite-On has once again produced a top of the line drive, with aesthetics that match the features. This drive has all but replaced my use of my internal DVD drive due to the ease of access. This drive is a fine product, and I expect it to last for many years to come.