What's in the box?:
- Lite-On SOHW-1673SU "EZ-DUB" 16x DVD±RW Drive
- EZ-DUB User's Manual
- Quick User's Guide
- Nero Software CD
- CyberLink PowerDVD Software CD
- EZ-DUB Software CD
- USB 2.0 Cable
- AC Power Adapter
- Warranty Information
Physical Features:
The drive Lite-On sent us for this review was manufactured in August of 2005 and had firmware JS0C.For this review we used firmware version JS0D.
By looking at the front of the SOHW-1673SU you can see that it is based on Lite-On's internal 16x DVD±RW, the SOHW-1673S. The two drives not only share the same bezel design, but many of the same logos. Along the front of the tray you can see a few advertising support for DVD+ReWritable, DVD+R DL, DVD-R/RW and Ultra Speed CD-RW media.
Below the tray you can see the SOHW-1673SU's single LED. It lights up green when both reading and writing. To the left of the LED is the head phone jack and volume control. On the other side you can see the eject button. Right underneath the tray is the emergency eject hole
Measuring 172mm x 66mm x 243mm and weighing in at 1.3 Kgs, the SOHW-1673SU is not the most compact or lightweight external drive we've tested. Nevertheless, its external enclosure is fairly well constructed and should fit comfortably on most desks.
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On the top of the SOHW-1673SU you can see a large "EZ-DUB" logo and a pair of buttons. The "DUB" and "FILE" buttons are used to control the drive's EZ-DUB technology. On the bottom, you can see that the SOHW-1673SU has four small rubber feet to keep it from sliding around when placed on a flat surface.
On the rear of the SOHW-1673SU, you can see its USB 2.0 interface and power connector. Unfortunately, there is no power switch so you will need to unplug the drive if you want to turn it off.
Technical Specs:
The specs below have been taken from Lite-On's website and the box the drive came in.
| Lite-On SOHW-1673SU "EZ-DUB" 16x DVD±RW |
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| CD Write Speeds | 48x, 40x (CAV) 32x, 24x (P-CAV) 16x, 8x (CLV) |
| CD Rewrite Speeds | 24x (Z-CLV) 16x, 10x, 4x (CLV) |
| DVD+R Write Speeds | 16x (CAV) 12x, 8x (P-CAV) 6x, 4x, 2.4x (CLV) |
| DVD+RW Write Speeds | 8x (Z-CLV) 6x, 4x, 2.4x (CLV) |
| DVD-R Write Speeds | 16x (CAV) 12x, 8x, (P-CAV) 6x, 4x, 2x (CLV) |
| DVD-RW Write Speeds | 6x, 4x, 2x, 1x (CLV) |
| DVD+R DL Write Speeds | 4x, 2.4x (CLV) |
| DVD Read Speeds | 12x Max (DVD-ROM Single Layer) 8x Max (DVD-ROM Dual Layer) 8x Max (DVD+R/RW) 8x Max (DVD-R/RW) 6x Max (DVD+R DL) |
| CD-ROM Read Speed | 48x Max |
| DAE Speed | 48x Max |
| Buffer Size | 2 MB |
| Random Access Times |
160 ms (CD) 160 ms (DVD) |
| CD Formats | CD-DA CD-ROM CD-ROM XA CD-R CD-RW Photo CD Video CD Multi-session Karaoke CD CD-I/FMV CD Extra CD Plus |
| DVD Formats | DVD-ROM DVD-Video DVD+R/RW DVD-R/RW DVD+R DL |
| CD Recording Modes | Track At Once Session At Once Disc At Once Fixed and Variable Packet Write Raw Mode |
| DVD Recording Modes | Disc at Once Sequential Write Incremental Restricted Overwrite |
EZ-DUB:
The SOHW-1673SU is the first drive to feature Lite-On's new EZ-DUB technology. Using the included EZ-DUB software and the buttons located on top of the drive, users can quickly and easily duplicate a disc or backup their data. According to Lite-On, it's as easy as 1-2-3.
To initiate the backup process, press the "FILE" button on top of the SOHW-1673SU. The EZ-DUB icon pictured below will then pop up on your desktop. Simply drag and drop the files you want to backup onto the icon. This icon will automatically determine the type of media required (CD, DVD or DVD DL), depending on the amount of data.
When you're done adding files, insert a blank disc into the drive and press the "FILE" button once again. The EZ-DUB software will then check the disc type and source files and then start writing the data at the media's maximum speed. When it's done, the disc automatically ejects. If you'd like to make another copy, just pop in another blank disc. Otherwise EZ-DUB's cache will be cleared.
Copying, or "dubbing", a disc is an even simpler process. To start, put the source disc in the drive and press the "DUB" button. The EZ-DUB software will then read the disc and copy an image of it to your hard drive. When it's done, insert a blank disc in the drive. The software will then burn the image to disc.
While EZ-DUB can copy both CD's and DVD's, it does have some limitations. In particular, those hoping to backup their DVD collection will be disappointed to know that the software does not work with copyright protected materials.
More Features:
By looking at the picture below, you can see that Lite-On's new external DVD writer is identified as a "LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-1673S."
Nero also shows that the SOHW-1673SU has a maximum CD writing speed of 48x and a 2048KB buffer. This buffer is also backed up by some form of buffer underrun protection. In this case, it is Lite-On's SMART-BURN technology. According to Nero, Lite-On's new DVD writer can also write CD-Text and overburn. When testing the drive's capacity, it had no problems overburning up to 99 minutes with our CompUSA media.
Nero also gives you the ability to turn off the drive's SMART-BURN technology. While disabling this feature will allow the SOHW-1673SU to write to CD-R media at whatever speed you want, it also disables the media condition checks and write monitoring that the drive does.This can cause your data to become corrupt.
Like most of the Lite-On drives we've looked at, the SOHW-1673SU can do EFM encoding correctly. Using CloneCD version 4.2.0.2 with AWS disabled, Iwas able to reproduce older SafeDisc 2 protected titles like Max Payne along with some of the newer ones protected by SafeDisc 2.51 like Serious Sam: The Second Encounter.
Here is a screen shot from Nero's InfoTool. This program queries the drive to see what its reading and writing capabilities are. InfoTool had no problems detecting the SOHW-1673SU's maximum reading and writing speeds, recording modes, buffer underrun protection and 2MB buffer. Take note that while the drive can read DVD-R DL media, it cannot write to it.
InfoTool also shows that the SOHW-1673S is an RPC-2 DVD drive. This means that the drive's region is stored in the firmware. The drive's region can be changed five times and after that it cannot be changed anymore. While there isn't an RPC-1 firmware available for the drive, there is a utility available that can make the drive region free.
While InfoTool gives us a quick glance at the SOHW-1673SU's features, DVDINFOpro provides a little more information on some of the drive's reading and writing capabilities. By looking at the screenshot above you can see that while Lite-On's new drive can both read and write DVD+R DL media, it does not support the Mt. Rainier format.
The SOHW-1673SU also supports a feature called "bitsetting." Using Lite-On's BookType Utility, you can set the book type forDVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD+R DL media. By doing so, your recorded discs will identify themselves as "DVD-ROM." This feature comes in handy if you have an older DVD player that has problems playing recordable media.
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I should point out that the SOHW-1673SU can also set the book type of DVD+RW media after the data has been burned to disc. This "Write Now" feature is available in both KProbe and Lite-On's BookType Utility.
