In House Review - LG GMA-4020B Super-Multi DVD-R/RW/RAM

[Ian]

To kick off the week we've taken a long over due look at LG's "Super Multi" drive, the GMA-4020B. This drive is one of the few DVD writers out there that can write to DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM discs. The GMA-4020B also includes features like 12x CD writing speeds, 32x CD read speeds and support for LG's Super Link buffer underrun protection. In this review we take a look at some of the features found on the GMA-4020B and then see how it performs. Is LG's DVD writer the drive for you? You'll have to read the review to find out.

LG GMA-4020B Super-Multi DVD-R/RW/RAM

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the LG GMA-4020B, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.

[Phoenix '97]

It seems odd that the drive would read -R media slower than -RW.
With my current Toshiba writer (SD-R5002), it'll read both -R and -RW discs at up to 4.8x, however with my LG DVD-ROM, it'll read -R discs at up to 6.4x but -RW discs at only 2.7x (CLV).
Would you be able to try a different -R disc in the drive?

[Kennyshin]

If 4020B is a Super-Multi drive, then what about 4040B???

[Ian]

Super-KickAss-Multi??

Phoenix I'll take another look tomorrow.

[MikeTR]

If 4020B is a Super-Multi drive, then what about 4040B???

'Super-Multi-Dual' maybe??

Although I'd really like to see a 'Kick-Ass' feature on a drive .

[jchow]

I'm working in a computer shop, and a customer asked if this drive will work in a firewire or USB external CD drive enclosure. Does anyone know if it will work like that?

This customer also said he will if he has to, physically remove this drive and take with him wherever he goes, however he will be travelling to Europe with this drive. So, would this drive work in both a UK 220V/60Hz computer as well as a North American computer?

Thanks for any help.

[Ian]

I'm working in a computer shop, and a customer asked if this drive will work in a firewire or USB external CD drive enclosure. Does anyone know if it will work like that?

>>I don't see why not. Most of these generic enclosures will work with any ATAPI drive. Of course, you'd have to try it to see.

This customer also said he will if he has to, physically remove this drive and take with him wherever he goes, however he will be travelling to Europe with this drive. So, would this drive work in both a UK 220V/60Hz computer as well as a North American computer?

>>Yes. As long as the PS is delivering 12V to the drive, it should be fine.

btw.. the review was updated this afternoon. New DVD-R scores were posted.

[Phoenix '97]

Nice! Thanks for taking a second look at those scores.
This is one of the cheapest DVD writers available here, I'd recommend it to my friends - the read speed for recorded media is just great!

[jchow]

Thanks Ian, I'll forward the info to the customer!

[Kennyshin]

Ian, I hope you will be the first to test 3x DVD-RAM (of 4040B).