Lite-On IT 4x DVD Writer LDW-401S

[Kennyshin]

I got a sample yesterday.

4x DVD+R
4x DVD+RW
40x CD-R
24x CD-RW

Just the same as known before.

I don't know why LDW-401S is so expensive in the US market but I can get them for around US$150 (plus tax). So "under US$200" was no joke.

[dhc014]

[Kennyshin]

I'm not good at taking photos though I have server, bandwidth, writers and Sony DSC-F717.

[burn2003]

I've been testing this for about a week. I created a coaster on my second try. With prices of DVD+R media still high, that was an expensive mistake.

Went on to create two more coasters after that. I was using Philips media.

Then Liteon recently released firmware for this drive - ver DR4ES0E(http://www.liteonit.com/english/english ... rmware.htm). After applying the firmware, I no longer have burning problems. In fact, one of the coasters became readable again after the firmware update.

The firmware desc on the update only says "Match more media".

My feeling is that DVD burning is still in the early days, so you can expect "version 1.0" products and teething problems. I'm talking about all DVD burners, not just Liteon.

In fact, one retailer even asked me to hold off purchasing DVD burners, as prices of both the drives and media are expected to drop in the next few months.

If you HAVE to buy a drive now though, make sure it has the latest firmware.

[Silentbob343]

Kennyshin

How much would it cost to ship something like that to the US?

[cfitz]

Silentbob, are you aware that you can buy it for $145 from NewEgg with free shipping?

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.a ... LDW%2D401S

cfitz

[cfitz]

And $144 (again with free shipping) at GoogleGear:

http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDe ... ode=170608

I'm sure there are other places as well, or soon will be.

cfitz

[Kennyshin]

Kennyshin

How much would it cost to ship something like that to the US?

Cheaper to buy in the US yourself.

However, it is cheapest to buy from Lite-On itself, of course, in quantity of 10,000 or more. Lower than US$130 I guess. (Could be lower than US$100 anytime.)

[Silentbob343]

Do you forsee the LiteOn drive being 150-160 retail,not bulk, in the US anytime soon?

[jsl]

Huh, it is the retail version Newegg and Googlegear sell.

[cfitz]

And at many more places as well:

http://www.essencompu.com/nupplysingar.asp?ID=4975
http://www.allthingstech.com/comp/979421.html
http://www.computergate.com/products/item.cfm?prodcd=MWL401S
http://hmcomputer.techgather.com/cgi-bin/shopzone30.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=5934&p_vlt=zo
http://www.thenerds.net/productpage.asp?pn=979421&d=3&s=1
http://www.micropro.com/item.htm?item_id=CDLILDW401S
http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?src=SP&item=46513
http://www.digitallyunique.net/digitally-unique/ldw401s.html
http://www.directdial.com/us/shop/item/prod.asp?item=LDW-401S
http://www.aaronix.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/68_171/products_id/2017?osCsid=e455b3039a513628ce29652de953c67a
http://www.mbsuperstore.com/products/vdrillinfo.cfm?prodseq=G1DI02
http://www.computerhq.com/hardware/partinfo-id-53159.html

So I guess the answer to your question:

Do you forsee the LiteOn drive being 150-160 retail,not bulk, in the US anytime soon?

is "no", because retail LDW-401S drives are already on sale for $140 and less, and their price isn't likely to go up to $150-$160. But if you insist, I will be glad to supply you with all the retail LDW-401S drives you want for $160, right now.

cfitz

[Silentbob343]

My mistake I was thinking of the LDW-400D not the LDW-401S. Sorry for the confusion.