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Lite-On SOHW-812S DVD±RW Burner

Reviewed by James Sams on 05/20/2004

Estimated Retail Value: $150.00
Estimated Street Price (non-OEM): $125.00
Overview

box

DVD burners are finally coming into their own. They are now affordable (though the media is still pricey), and the burn times no longer require a night's sleep to finish. The likelihood of coming out with a full-fledged coaster has also diminished greatly, with the improvements in buffer-underun technology from years of CD-burning having been fully adapted to fit the needs of DVD-burners. Unfortunately, pseudo-coasters are still an issue with the plethora of DVD formats not being compatible in all players, even relatively modern oens. Couple this with the forthcoming blue-laser-based DVD formats, and the problem grows further. However, we have to commend Lite-On for making a software tool, BookType, which can change the manner in which DVD's are burned to make them look more like DVD-ROM's for greater compatability in older players.

We are also happy to see manufacturers improve the speed of CD reading and (re)writing in the DVD-burners. We were happy to see that the need for two optical drives has truly left us, as this DVD burner can burn CD's in under 3 minutes. The lack of Mount Rainier support is disappointing, but unnecessary with DVD+RW for your backup and data-storage needs.

Drive Front
Drive Back
Box Contents

The package Lite-On includes with their drive is, or should be, fairly standard. An English only manual, a multi-lingual manual (including English, no difference could be discerned), quick-install poster, an advertisement for a console unit, Cyberlink's PowerDVD, Sonic's MyDVD, an analog audio cord (4 pin cord to soundcard), registration card, 1 8xDVD+R and 1 4xDVD-R. We were disappointed to see that they did not include a wider range of media that could take advantage of the drive's full potential.

« Back Home Drive Specs »


Shopping Matches for Lite-On SOHW-812S DVD±RW Burner:

ICY BOX IB-390

CoolMax 750W PSU

Power Color HD 4870

Antec Veris Premier

NZXT Sentry LX

LG Glimmer

Zoom H2 Recorder

ATP 4GB EarthDrive

ATP 4GB ToughDrive

Bluetooth

Lian Li Maxima 750W

Glacial Power AL650A

Virtual Double

FSP Everest 900W

Tuniq Ensemble 1200W

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