In House Review - LG GGW-H10N Super Multi Blue

[Ian]

Today, CDRLabs brings you an in depth look at LG's new dual-format "Super Multi Blue" drive, the GGW-H10N. This all in one solution combines a Blu-ray Disc writer and HD DVD-ROM drive, giving users the ability to enjoy movies in both formats. The GGW-H10N can also store up to 50GB of data onto a single Blu-ray disc and is one of the first drives with the ability to write to BD-R media at 4x.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the GGW-H10N and see how it compares to the Blu-ray Disc writers from Sony, I-O DATA and Pioneer. Is support for both Blu-ray and HD DVD enough to put LG's new drive on top? You'll have to read the review to find out.


LG GGW-H10N Super Multi Blue

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the LG GGW-H10N, please post them in the forum.

[hoxlund]

any clue as to who sells this drive in the US?

my plextor 716 just gave out last week and im replacing it with a second sammy 183L SATA burner

which makes my system an all SATA system, 6 sata ports on mobo, 6 sata ports used

[Ian]

I have yet to see it in stores. I'm surprised Best Buy doesn't carry it though. They seem to be the best retail store to buy LG drives.

[hoxlund]

ill keep an eye out, and post prices

[hoxlund]

ok, im at work right now, samsung 183L for $44.39

or the ide gsa-h55l flavor LG burner for $52.92

those are my costs

or i can just buy the lg GSA-H62NK on newegg for $36.83 includes shipping

im not in a hurry because i already have another 183l attached

comparing all 3 models, what would everyone else go for?

[h3dtech]

any clue as to who sells this drive in the US?

my plextor 716 just gave out last week and im replacing it with a second sammy 183L SATA burner

which makes my system an all SATA system, 6 sata ports on mobo, 6 sata ports used

I got mine here: http://www.dfwdepot.com/opticstor/index ... cts_id=244. They seem to be the only ones that actually have real stock

[Wesociety]

I commend LG for developing and releasing "Super Multi Blue" products and I am glad that it received very high ratings in your review.

Unfortunately the big problem here is price. And as you already mentioned in the review, one could go out and purchase a Blu-ray burner and then the Microsoft Xbox HD DVD external drive and still have money left over. For people that need the ultimate next gen optical drive though, this a very good option for now.

It will be interesting to see whether or not LG will also deliver an HD DVD burner + Blu-ray burner all in one unit in the future...

[dolphinius_rex]

I commend LG for developing and releasing "Super Multi Blue" products and I am glad that it received very high ratings in your review.

Unfortunately the big problem here is price. And as you already mentioned in the review, one could go out and purchase a Blu-ray burner and then the Microsoft Xbox HD DVD external drive and still have money left over. For people that need the ultimate next gen optical drive though, this a very good option for now.

It will be interesting to see whether or not LG will also deliver an HD DVD burner + Blu-ray burner all in one unit in the future...

You know, with all the HD DVD-R media available, and with the complete LACK of HD DVD-R burners.... it kind of makes you wonder if there isn't something horribly wrong with the spec in some way, that is screwing up getting the burners to work. I don't have any inside info on this, but I'm seriously starting to wonder what's up with this.

I also wonder if Toshiba will show off their HD DVD-R burners at CES again, for the 3rd year in a row, in 2008

[Wesociety]

From speaking with Blu-ray Disc engineers at CES 2006, I know that Blu-ray was first developed with the recordable format in mind, and then as a ROM format. This is not true with HD DVD. HD DVD-ROM's were first developed, and then they tried to get HD DVD-R working... obviously they are having a lot of trouble with it...

[SithTracy]

I'm no Sony fan myself, but since there are PC recorders for Blu-Ray, that is only a plus for them... and a plus that other makers like LG and Pioneer will be making the drive (since I would never buy a Sony branded anything anymore). This whole debate is ridicules and I won't spend a dime until one side wins... I recall the Beta/VHS war when I was a kid... Our neighbor invested a ton of money in a Betamax player and bought movies to own... They were just out the bucks... I'm not gonna make that mistake... but it looks like Blu-Ray will eventually win, but the game could shift...

I can wait.

[Wesociety]

Don't forget that there might not be one clear winner in this "war". With these blue laser formats being so similar, hybrid drives offering up both technologies could become the norm in the future...

[dolphinius_rex]

Don't forget that there might not be one clear winner in this "war". With these blue laser formats being so similar, hybrid drives offering up both technologies could become the norm in the future...

I don't think the HiDef market is going to be big enough for the both of them. If one format doesn't prevail, then I suspect both formats will fail ultimately.

The only thing I'm sure of at this point is that HD DVD no longer has any chance of winning this format war. However, if they persist long enough, they may end up taking Blu-Ray along with them... although I know at least a few HD DVD fanatics that would rather both formats fail then have Blu-Ray win.

[vinnie97]

although I know at least a few HD DVD fanatics that would rather both formats fail then have Blu-Ray win.

heheh, you could almost file me under this column...however, not because I'm a HD DVD fanatic necessarily but more or less I'm anxious to see the Playstation bomb explode in Sony's face.

[Justin42]

The only thing I'm sure of at this point is that HD DVD no longer has any chance of winning this format war. However, if they persist long enough, they may end up taking Blu-Ray along with them... although I know at least a few HD DVD fanatics that would rather both formats fail then have Blu-Ray win.

I have a feeling there are some Blu-Ray fanatics that would rather slit their own throats than see HD DVD make the slightest gains.

This format war is bizarre.

[dolphinius_rex]

The only thing I'm sure of at this point is that HD DVD no longer has any chance of winning this format war. However, if they persist long enough, they may end up taking Blu-Ray along with them... although I know at least a few HD DVD fanatics that would rather both formats fail then have Blu-Ray win.

I have a feeling there are some Blu-Ray fanatics that would rather slit their own throats than see HD DVD make the slightest gains.

This format war is bizarre.

I want one format only, and I want it to happen as soon as possible so that mass adoption can begin. I'd like it to be the superior technical spec format with the majority of HiDef consumer support... but I'd settle for HD DVD if that would solve things. Hell, I'd settle for HVD or whatever that Chinese format is called. I just want a single HiDef solution with significantly superior quality over DVD.

My feelings this way increased dramatically once I finally got my PS3. After experiencing owning a HiDef player finally, and enjoying HiDef whenever I desire, I want to make sure we don't lose the whole thing because people are too childish to just agree. So yeah, I prefer Blu-Ray, and I also think that it would be easier for ~30-40% of the HiDef market (HD DVD supporters) to join up with the 60-70% of the HiDef market (Blu-Ray supporters), (based on content sales) But I'll support HD DVD even if I need to, to bring about the end of the war. But like I've said, I don't see any way for HD DVD to win this war anymore. At best it will be a draw, which most likely would end up with both formats becoming niche items only and eventually going the way of LaserDisc. I don't want that.

[vinnie97]

At best it will be a draw, which most likely would end up with both formats becoming niche items only and eventually going the way of LaserDisc. I don't want that.

I would find it utterly feckin' hilarious. It would perhaps once and for all teach the companies involved to start colluding on behalf of the collective bottom line.

[dolphinius_rex]

At best it will be a draw, which most likely would end up with both formats becoming niche items only and eventually going the way of LaserDisc. I don't want that.

I would find it utterly feckin' hilarious. It would perhaps once and for all teach the companies involved to start colluding on behalf of the collective bottom line.

Hilarious sure... and I enjoy a little mindless stupidity more then most... but as an optical media geek, I really don't like to the idea of digital downloads taking over just yet, and that is likely what would happen if neither HiDef format goes mainstream.

[Justin42]

I do agree that SOMETHING needs to happen to ensure SOMETHING survives. The problem is the average person doesn't have an HDTV, definitely doesn't have a good enough home theatre setup to really get their money's worth right now out of a HD setup.

It'll change eventually but I wonder if these formats are just too much too soon over DVD.

After getting my PS3 after the price drop, and taking it to my parents' to use their HDMI-compliant amp (but only SD TV), just the sound quality improvement with LPCM 5.1 was worth it for me. (but now I need to get a new amp.. )

[Ian]

I agree. Going HD is a big investment. If I wanted to replace my current setup, I'd need a new TV and amp... neither of which are cheap.

[Ian]

New firmware for the GGW-H10N.

Edit: added 1.04 firmware