Like the other Lite-On drives we've reviewed, the SHM-165H6S was very easy to install. From start to finish, the entire process took only a few minutes. After taking the drive out of the box, I set the jumper to master and installed it on the secondary IDE chain by connecting the IDE cable and power connector. When I turned on the computer the BIOS detected it as a drive supporting UDMA 33. After making sure that the DMA was enabled in the Device Manager, I was ready to start installing the software.
Software Installation:
As I mentioned earlier, Lite-On's new DVD writer comes with two CD's full of software. The first of these contains a number of different applications from Nero. If you have autorun enabled on your computer, the menu pictured below will automatically come up when you insert the disc.
As you can see, this menu is pretty straight forward. To install the writing software, you will want to choose the "Install Nero OEM Suite" option. After that, you will be taken to the Nero installation menu.
By now most people should be pretty familiar with this menu. From here you can install Nero 6, NeroVision Express, Nero Media Player, Nero PhotoShow Express or InCD 4. You can install each component individually, or everything but InCD and PhotoShow Express in one shot. Once you reboot, you'll be ready to start burning your own discs.
The second software CD contains a copy of PowerDVD 5 from CyberLink. If you have autorun enabled, the installation menu will come up when you insert the CD.
Like the Nero suite, this DVD playback software is very easy to install. To start the setup process, simply select "Install PowerDVD 5.0" from the menu. From there, it's as easy as entering the serial number, choosing the location where you want to install the program and then waiting for the files to be copied over.
The Documentation:
The manual that comes with the SHM-165H6S is a good example of what we've come to expect from Lite-On. It starts out by getting the user familiarized with their new DVD writer. The first section goes over the drive'ssupported formats, recording modes, and system requirements. The manual also spends a few pages going over the locations and the functions of the buttons and connectors located on the front and back of the drive.
From here, the manual jumps right into the physical installation of the SHM-165H6S. This section covers everything from setting the jumpers to hooking up the cables and mounting the drive in your computer. While the instructions are short, the diagrams Lite-On has provided are pretty good. If you're not sure about how to configure your computer, the manual also has a few examples along with the corresponding jumper settings.
The rest of the manual covers a number of topics including how to use and maintain the SHM-165H6S. Lite-On has also provided a fair amount of information on the drive's LightScribe technology, including instructions on how to create and burn your own labels. Last but not least, there is a short troubleshooting section containing a list of common problems as well as their solutions.
Lite-On's new DVD writer also comes with a "Quick Start Guide." This fold out guide takes the user step by step through the installation process. While a little short on words, there are plenty of diagrams showing what to do. For most people, the "Quick Start Guide" will be all they'll need to get the SHM-165H6S up and running.
In the end, installing the SHM-165H6S and the bundled software was pretty easy. Between the guide and manual, most people shouldn't have any problems getting the drive up and running. I also have to give Lite-On credit for including a section on LightScribe. However, I would have liked to have seen a little more drive specific information. With this in mind, I give the installation an 8 out of a possible 10.
