In the war between Blu-ray and HD DVD, ASUS has taken a relatively neutral stance by offering support for both high-def formats. At Computex 2007, the company introduced their first aftermarket Blu-ray drive, the BC-1205PT. Based on the Pioneer BDC-202, the BC-1205PT combines a BD-ROM and DVD writer into a single unit. The drive is capable of 12x DVD±R, 6x DVD±RW, 4x DVD±R DL and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds and can read Blu-ray Discs at speeds as high as 5x. The BC-1205PT also includes features like a 4MB buffer, support for ASUS's FlextraLink and FlextraSpeed technologies and a software bundle from CyberLink.
While Lite-On has begun to introduce drives based on the Blu-ray Disc format, they haven't abandoned the DVD quite yet. This fall, the company quietly introduced a new 20x DVD writer, the DH-20A3H. Sporting specs very similar to the LH-20A1H and LH-20A1L, the drive is capable of 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Along with support for HP's LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling system, the DH-20A3H also features many of the technologies we've come to expect from Lite-On, including more advanced ones like SmartWrite and OverSpeed.
CDRLabs kicks off the week with a review of LG's second generation Super Multi Blue drive, the GGW-H20L. This all in one solution combines a Blu-ray Disc writer and HD DVD-ROM drive, giving users the ability to enjoy movies in both formats. The GGW-H20L is also capable of 4x BD-R DL and 2x BD-RE writing speeds, and is the first drive with the ability to write to BD-R media at 6x.
Since the introduction of their first dual format DVD writer, Sony has continued to develop drives with new features and faster reading and writing speeds. The latest addition to Sony's already impressive line of DVD writers is the DRU-840A. Announced in August, this new "Super-Multi" drive offers some of the fastest reading and writing speeds available. The DRU-840A is capable of 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and is the first drive from Sony with the ability to write to both DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media at 12x. The DRU-840A also includes features like 48x CD reading and writing speeds, 32x rewriting speeds, Power-Burn buffer underrun protection and a software bundle from Nero.
With the PX-755UF and PX-760UF getting a bit long in the tooth, Plextor has introduced a new external DVD writer, the "TurboPlex" PX-810UF. While lacking many of the bells and whistles found on its predecessors, this new LG GSA-H44N based drive boasts some impressive specs. The PX-810UF is capable of 18x DVD±R, 10x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Of course, Plextor's new drive can do more than read and write DVD's. The PX-810UF also includes features like 48x CD reading and writing speeds, 32x rewriting speeds and support for both FireWire and USB 2.0.
The latest addition to Samsung's already impressive line of DVD writers is the SH-S203B. Announced in June, this Serial ATA equipped "Super-WriteMaster" drive features some of the fastest DVD reading and writing speeds available. The SH-S203B is capable of 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. On top of that, it's the first drive to offer both 16x DVD+R DL and 12x DVD-R DL writing speeds. The SH-S203B also includes features like 48x CD reading and writing speeds, 32x rewriting speeds, Super Link buffer underrun protection and an impressive software bundle from Nero.
One of the latest additions to Lite-On's already impressive line of DVD writers is the LH-20A1L. This new Serial ATA equipped "Super AllWrite" drive is capable of 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Along with support for HP's LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling system, the LH-20A1L also features many of the technologies we've come to expect from Lite-On, including more advanced ones like SmartWrite and OverSpeed.
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Despite being an early endorser of Blu-ray, LG has made it easier for consumers to go high-def by developing products that support both formats. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, the company unveiled their first dual-format "Super Multi Blue" drive, the GGW-H10N. This all in one solution combines a Blu-ray Disc writer and HD DVD-ROM drive into a single unit. The drive not only gives users the ability to enjoy movies in both formats, it lets them store up to 50GB of data or four hours worth of HD video onto a single Blu-ray disc. The GGW-H10N also takes Blu-ray recording to the next level with a maximum BD-R writing speed of 4x.
While LG has fully embraced Blu-ray and HD DVD, they haven't abandoned the DVD quite yet. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, the company unveiled their latest "Super-Multi" drive, the GSA-H55L. Featuring some of the fastest reading and writing speeds available, the drive is capable of 20x DVD±R, 10x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The GSA-H55L also boasts an impressive list of features including HP's LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling system and LG's new SecurDisc technology. With SecurDisc, users can protect their data against unauthorized access and increase the chances of it being recovered should the disc become damaged.
This February, Plextor introduced its second-generation ultra-portable DVD writer, the PX-608CU. Based loosely on the Pioneer DVR-K16, this stylish and compact drive is capable of 8x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 4x DVD±R DL and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 8x. Plextor has also given the PX-608CU a number of enhancements including the ability to power itself off of a computer's USB bus. By eliminating the need for an AC power source, you can burn CD's and DVD's wherever you go.
