For a change of pace, CDRLabs has taken a look at one of Western Digital's new portable hard drives, the My Passport Elite. This top of the line drive offers a number of unique features including a soft-touch finish, built in capacity gauge and a collection of backup, synchronization and remote access software.
With the SimpleSave DVD, Memorex has tried to take the hassle and confusion out of backing up your PC. Unlike traditional backup software, which requires you to install software onto your PC, SimpleSave runs directly from the DVD. Just insert it into your DVD writer and the SimpleSave software will find and organize your photos and music and then back them up onto the very same disc.
CDRLabs has taken a long overdue look at Samsung's LightScribe capable 20x DVD writer, the SH-S203N. While affordably priced, the drive features some of the fastest reading and writing speeds available. The SH-S203N is capable of 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and has a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. On top of that, it's one of the few drives to offer both 16x DVD+R DL and 12x DVD-R DL writing speeds.
Today, CDRLabs brings you an in depth look at Lite-On's 4x BD-ROM drive, the DH-4O1S. Affordably priced, this read-only drive gives consumers the ability to watch Blu-ray movies on their computers. Along with 4x BD read speeds, the DH-4O1S is capable of reading DVD's at 12x and CD's at 32x.
CDRLabs has taken a long overdue look at LG's second generation Super Multi Blue drive, the GGC-H20L. While lacking BD writing capabilities, the drive sports specs similar to its more expensive sibling, the GGW-H20L. The GGC-H20L is capable of 16x 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 16x. On top of that, it can read HD DVD's at 3x and Blu-ray Discs at speeds as high as 6x.
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.
