Lite-On iHAS424-08 24x "Super AllWrite" DVD±RW/RAM

The iHAS424 is a good example of what we've come to expect from Lite-On. Affordably priced, the drive offers a long list of features as well as some of the fastest DVD reading and writing speeds available.

The iHAS424 performed very well when writing to DVD+R and DVD-R media at 24x. At this speed, it took the drive a little more than 4 minutes to write an entire 4.7GB DVD, beating the Optiarc AD-7240S by a small margin. The iHAS424 also had no problems holding its own when writing to DVD-RAM discs. However, due to its Z-CLV writing method, it wasn't as fast as some of the other drives when writing to DVD±RW media. Without compatible media, we weren't able to test the iHAS424 's full potential when writing to DVD±R DL media. As a result, the drive took nearly 19 minutes to burn 8GB of data.

When it came to media compatibility, the iHAS424 gave us some mixed results. While the drive wrote to most of our test media at its rated speed or better, only two types worked at 24x. Then again, you can enable the drive's OverSpeed function and write to more media at this speed. The iHAS424's writing quality was also fairly good for the most part. However, there is still room for improvement, especially with Verbatim's 8x DVD-R DL media. Hopefully, Lite-On can address this in a future firmware update.

Lite-On's new drive did very well in our DVD read tests. It was able to read single layer DVD-ROM's and DVD-Videos at 16x and had some very good seek times. The iHAS424 also reached some pretty impressive transfer speeds with other types of DVD media. In our tests, it read DVD±R discs at 16x and DVD±RW, DVD±R DL and DVD-RAM media at a respectable 12x.

The iHAS424 was also fairly quick when reading CD's. In our tests, the drive read pressed and CD-R media at speeds as high as 48x and CD-RW discs at 39x. On top of that, it was able to rip audio CD's at an impressive 47x. When it came to writing CD's, the iHAS424 performed as expected. The drive had no problems holding its own when writing to CD-R media. However, its Z-CLV writing method put it at a slight disadvantage in our rewriting tests.

Like Lite-On's previous DVD writers, the iHAS424 isn't short on features.  Along with old favorites like SMART-BURN and SMART-X, it supports a number of Lite-On's more advanced technologies including SmartWrite, SmartErase and OverSpeed. The drive also has a good number of writing and rewriting speeds to choose from and has the ability to set the book type of DVD+R/RW and DVD+R DL media. Last but not least, the iHAS424 features HP's LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling system. An alternative to markers and stick-on labels, LightScribe lets you burn graphics and text onto the tops of specially coated discs.

I should point out that there are two versions of the iHAS424. Along with the version reviewed here (iHAS424-08), Lite-On has begun to ship a second version, the iHAS424-98. This new drive is based on the Optiarc AD-7241S and does not include features like SmartWrite, SmartErase or OverSpeed. Both versions are reasonably priced and can be picked up for less than $40 through Amazon.com.

Highs:

• Writes to DVD-R and DVD+R media at 24x
• Writes to DVD+RW media at 8x
• Writes to DVD-RW media at 6x
• Writes to DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media at 12x
• Reads and writes DVD-RAM media at 12x
• Reads single layer DVD-ROM's at 16x
• Reads DVD±R media at 16x
• Reads DVD±RW and DVD±R DL media at 12x
• Features 48x CD-R and 32x CD-RW writing speeds
• Good selection of writing and rewriting speeds
• Low seek times
• Supports SmartWrite, SmartErase and OverSpeed technologies
• Good selection of writing and rewriting speeds
• Supports bitsetting for DVD+R/RW and DVD+R DL media
• Includes software from Nero
• Supports 99 minute CD-R media
• Serial ATA interface
• Supports LightScribe technology
• Affordably priced

Lows:

• High media requirements when writing at 24x
• Questionable writing quality with some DVD-R DL media
• Slower than other drives when writing to DVD±RW and CD-RW media