In House Review - LG GSA-4040B Super-Multi DVD±RW/RAM

[Ian]

Yeah, I'm running a little behind today. It is Monday and all. Anyway, today we bring you a review of LG's new "Super-Multi" drive, the GSA-4040B. With this new drive, LG has taken the concept of the multi format DVD writer one step further by giving it support for all major DVD formats, including DVD-RAM. The GSA-4040B features specs like 4x DVD±R, 2.4x DVD+RW and 2x DVD-RW writing speeds as well as a maximum DVD read speed of 12x. And yes, LG's new drive can also write to DVD-RAM media at 3x, an industry first.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the GSA-4040B and see how it compares to some of the DVD±RW drives from the competition. Can the GSA-4040B deliver the performance and features we've come to expect from LG? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=204]
LG GSA-4040B Super-Multi DVD±RW/RAM[/url]

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the LG GSA-4040B, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.

[BMR]

Nice Review again Ian.

I found in using this drive that most tasks were carried out well with no big problems.

Question: I have not heard anything about LG's newest drives that are scheduled to come out next ( other makers are already posting their upcomming offers ). Does anyone know of any, and if so will they still be a "Super Multi" drive, ie. still having the -RAM capability with perhaps faster recording times ( 8x ) and maybe faster -RAM recording times as well.

BMR

[Ian]

Not sure. However, I can ask.

[Kennyshin]

8x, yes.

I heard LG Electronics was planning to release 8x DVD writer in early 2004 but I think they don't want that anymore. Competition's stronger than their expectation and prices are falling faster...

One of the two South Korean Lite-On distributors will release LDW-811S in November.

LG once talked about 5x to 16x DVD-RAM speeds but I can't imagine when they will be introduced in a PC writer.

[OC-Freak]

read through the last two pages (performance and conclusion), all that counts for me.

You only missed the largest drawback of the drive: Media compatiblility.

The media compatibility of this drive is big minus in my book.

Well, as long as you use over-priced verbatim discs all should be good though :p

Anyway, my review is on the way....just waiting for some stuff to arrive to continue the testing. One thing I'm waiting for is DVD-RW discs that works with this drive at 2X. My princo 2X DVD-RW do not work.....

[dodecahedron]

i really like the way this drive looks. very pretty IMO.

too bad it doesn't take cartridge-type DVD-RAM discs.

an 8x SuperMulti drive would be great.
if by then they also get DVD+R and DVD-R up to 4x that would be sweet.
i think i'd have to buy such a drive.

[ricrat]

I read the review with great interest. My local dealer can get it for me for
$165 retail. I'm thinking of getting it with the LG DVD-ROM on my new PC.
What media brands are the best AKA more troublefree?
Thanks for any help.
Richard

[cfitz]

i really like the way this drive looks. very pretty IMO.

No doubt due to all its planes and edges - very polyhedral...

cfitz

[dolphinius_rex]

I read the review with great interest. My local dealer can get it for me for
$165 retail. I'm thinking of getting it with the LG DVD-ROM on my new PC.
What media brands are the best AKA more troublefree?
Thanks for any help.
Richard

Gosh! I hope that's in Canadian dollars, since that what I would be paying if I wanted to buy the drive here in Canada!

[Peter_Mann]

I have had disasterous results with writing DVD-R discs.
At least a 30% coaster rate.....with branded Verbatim, Maxell AND Memorex ( not crappy back room discs.

OTOH I have a 100% sucess rate writing DVD+R.

Ian, you disapoint me not addressing this issue in the review.....in light of the fact that I am not the only person to complain about this on this very board. Writing speed is another big belly flop.

I'm happy I have this drive for the results I get now but I REALLY resent LG for the DVD-R performance. I went through a lot of crap until I just gave up.

I have upgraded to the latest firmware but I just don't have the desire to try DVD-R again.

[Ian]

Ian, you disapoint me not addressing this issue in the review.....in light of the fact that I am not the only person to complain about this on this very board. Writing speed is another big belly flop.

I mentioned it in the conclusion. However, I couldn't really say much about it since I didn't have any problems with the media I had on hand.

This is something that I will be passing on to LG though. They should have had support for more DVD-R media out of the box and not rely on people like Kennyshin to send them media to test.