Lite-On SOHW 1673S, oops, I think I made a mistake?

[SkaarjMaster]

My brother ordered one a few days ago. Should I have him return it? If so, then what should replace it?

I ordered a Lite-On LDW-851S over a year ago and it burns CD-Rs and DVD-Rs fine for me with DVD Shrink and Nero. I figured this new model would be fine, but after reading some stuff here and at CDFreaks I may have given the wrong advice. I would like to say that he will be mostly burning CD-Rs (music and data) and DVD-Rs (most likely data only), so the problem may not seem that critical. But it would be nice to know what he could replace it with and why. Thank you.

........just checked around. How are those Pioneer DVR-109s?

[MediumRare]

I'm sure you're going to get a lot of "anything but LiteOn" answers to this.

However, from what I've read, the 1673S is the best drive LiteOn has released in the 3S series. In a c't test, for example, it did better than the Pioneer 109 with the firmware available at the time.

I own a 1213S that has been cross-flashed with firmware from various successor models. I'm now using CS0K and CS0M from the 1653S and have satisfactory results if I burn good media (MCC, RicohJpn R02, TY if I can get it) at 8x. Going to 16x saves 2 minutes (25%) and got me coasters with earlier fw (haven't tried it yet with CS0K/0M). LiteOn (and I ) generally prefer(s) + media, although the DVD-R discs I've tried have been OK too.

By "satisfactory" I mean PIF total ca. 300 and PIF max <=4 with KProbe or CD-Speed and smooth curves in transfer rate tests on the burner and a LTD163 DVD-Rom drive.

CD's have been fine, although for some reason my drive limits all burns (not CD-Speed simulations) to 32x PCAV, regardless of the speed I pick.

That being, said, if I were to buy a DVD burner today, though, it would probably be a BenQ 1640.

G

[RJW]

Well the 1673S is really a ok drive. Only 2 real problems.

1 It didn't like some high respected manufacturer with a earlier firmware (they might have fixed it I hope they did. Because on most other points it was stable.) But on some other media it does work excellent.

2 Bad tester - To much forgiveing when you want to say someting about overall disc quality and performance. So as long as your not usseing it for articles are going to make posts like this media is good or bad I think you got a ok drive.

So as long as you stick to the right media (See c't topic here and the reports on other boards.) and are not going to do any real testing then I wouldn't return it.

[SkaarjMaster]

Yes, my brother and I really don't run these media testing runs or any of that. We just want something that works. Seems like he'll be OK for DVD-R or DVD+R as long as he gets the right media. What about CD-R media?

[Bhairav]

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=134510

Looks good, and the 1673@1693 is a "go", it seems..

[SkaarjMaster]

So, he should wait for the 1693 firmware to come out and flash the 1673S with that? Maybe the firmware for the 1673S will come out that is this good or better at that time as well. In the meantime, I'll tell him to stick with JS05.

[RJW]

Lite On still is ok for cd-r's like allways. (As long as you stay away from MCC AZO because the LIte On's don't like variations in the media which other drives have no problems with.)

[Ian]

(As long as you stay away from MCC AZO because the LIte On's don't like variations in the media which other drives have no problems with.)

These things won't write to MCC AZO at full speed anyway. Even with the latest firmware, max speed is only 40x.

[RJW]

I'm not suprised to see that.
Now I have to say I don't burn faster as 24x cd-r's.
SO that's no problem if it doesn't have the odd behaviour when it comes to quality the one which is like
Yamahas and Plextors and Pioneer (DVD burners ) burn the media with a C1 average of 1 and no C2's why the Lite On creates something that is close to a coaster. High C2.
Next batch however works fine on all drives.(Includeing Lite On.) In other words putting metal azo in the lite on gives really supriseing results why the other drives are all quite consistant. It makes you think what was Lite On doing that they when they implemented the support for MCC cd-r's.

[SkaarjMaster]

Not to get too far OT, but what brands are packaged MCC AZOs?

[Ian]

Not to get too far OT, but what brands are packaged MCC AZOs?

Verbatim DataLifePlus

[SkaarjMaster]

Message to brother:
Did you hear that? Don't buy Verbatim DataLifePlus CD-Rs!!!

[hoxlund]

you should just get the pioneer 109 anyways, if anything it will outlast the litey drive

[Ian]

My SOHW-1673S just died.

[SkaarjMaster]

So, your burner burned. That really blows, any idea what happened?

[Ian]

No idea. Was doing some burn tests with some DVD-R media and the drive starting making some high pitched noises (higher than normal). Now leadin/leadouts take longer than they should and I see a lot of write failures.

[SkaarjMaster]

How long have you had it and how often was it used? My brother is putting his system together tonight and tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on how long his lasts. He will be doing a lot of backing up at first (200-400GB of data or more), then use will trail off.

[Gabe]

Hm, my 1653s makes also strange noises when write the LeadIn and need up to 1.15 Min for write it.

[Ian]

Hm, my 1653s makes also strange noises when write the LeadIn and need up to 1.15 Min for write it.

Odd.. I really didn't notice this when I tested the Sony DRU-720A.

[Scour]

Hello!

After reading the review at Cdfreaks I don´t think it´s a good drive

[Bhairav]

Hello!

After reading the review at Cdfreaks I don´t think it´s a good drive

CDR/RW quality is down, but overall, it's a good drive. That 1693S FW seems to be giving good results anyway, so I don't think he ought to ditch the drive just yet.

[Wesociety]

I wouldn't want it as my primary drive when there are better alternatives.

[Scour]

CDR/RW quality is down, but overall, it's a good drive. That 1693S FW seems to be giving good results anyway, so I don't think he ought to ditch the drive just yet.

Have never had a 1693S, I think it´s not avaible right now?

[Ian]

Have never had a 1693S, I think it´s not avaible right now?

It's not, but there's a leaked beta firmware floating around. Some people have flashed their 1673S's with it.

[Gabe]

Hm, my 1653s makes also strange noises when write the LeadIn and need up to 1.15 Min for write it.

Odd.. I really didn't notice this when I tested the Sony DRU-720A.

With some media the 1653S makes noises like Spin up/down, ca. 3-5 times. This is the reason why it tooks a long time for leadIn. Maybe a laser calibration for the media?