16x DL Liteon DVD writer $83 (OEM) $89 (Retail) newegg.com

[trikster2]

Newegg link

Trolling the "what's new" at newegg I see they now have available the Liteon 16X DVD writer.

The spec show it slower than the Pioneer108/Nec3500 at DL. Faster at CD writing than the Pioneer. Looks big in the package, so not sure if it has the "short" advantage of the other liteon offereings:

no reviews, but it's a liteon, so if you like hacks and cool aps, this will be the 16x burner for you.....

Lite-On 16X DVD Dual Drive, Model SOHW-1633S Black, OEM

Model# SOHW-1633S BLK
Item # N82E16827106961

Specifications:
Write SpeedVD+R9 2.4X, DVD+R 16X,DVD-R 8X, DVD+RW 4X, DVD-RW 4X, CD-R 48X, CD-RW 24X
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support:MS-Windows 98 / NT4.0 / ME / 2000 / XP
Features: SMART-BURN, SMART-X, VAS system.DVD+R9 2.4X(Double Layer Support)
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details)

 

[trikster2]

Makes the deal a little hotter. Retail boxed version is only $89. Not a lot of details on what is in the package though....

Retail linky


Ok, now they have an ASUS 16x burner too?

ASUS makes burners?

Is there anyone NOT making a 16x DVD burner?

 

[SirPsycho]

Didn't Lite-on's earlier DVD burners have some kind of crappy firmware? I've had both CD-RW and DVD-R drives from Lite-on, and both have worked very well for almost two years now. I'm considering getting a DVD burner now, but am a bit leery of the problems I heard about before.

 

[trikster2]

I think the current generation is considered pretty decent due to aggessive firmware updates. Also there are a few apps that test the quality of DVD burns that only run on the liteon....

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: trikster2

I think the current generation is considered pretty decent due to aggessive firmware updates. Also there are a few apps that test the quality of DVD burns that only run on the liteon....

These apps that test the quality of DVD burns only run on Liteon because it sucks so bad that you need to check the burn and make sure it burned correctly.

Also how is this hot deal? Most 16x burners sell for around this price.

 

[nealh]

Liteon does not at this time make the best dvd writes..quality of burn is not on par with NEC/Pioneer

I have a Liteon 811S...it has not failed me but the burn quality at least in testing is not as good as other burners..get a NEC 3500A..16x with 4x dual layer

 

[pxc]

I'm sick of my NEC ND-2510A due to poor 8x media compatibility and average burn quality at 4x. I wish I would have kept my Lite-On 852S. Gonna order this SOHW-1633S as a replacement tonight. Thanks!

 

[overclock]

The Asus burner is a Pioneer 108 rebadge. Check it out on CDR Info.com.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: SirPsycho
Didn't Lite-on's earlier DVD burners have some kind of crappy firmware? I've had both CD-RW and DVD-R drives from Lite-on, and both have worked very well for almost two years now. I'm considering getting a DVD burner now, but am a bit leery of the problems I heard about before.

yeah the 411s models did. I have a 401s that ran very well, then I modded the firmware to an 811s and it runs equally well. just bought an external usb case for it on newegg too, waiting for it to arrive

 

[xionn]

Does this drive use CAV or CLV techonology? The pioneer was slow cause it used the less desirable tech.

 

[trikster2]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: trikster2

I think the current generation is considered pretty decent due to aggessive firmware updates. Also there are a few apps that test the quality of DVD burns that only run on the liteon....

These apps that test the quality of DVD burns only run on Liteon because it sucks so bad that you need to check the burn and make sure it burned correctly.

Also how is this hot deal? Most 16x burners sell for around this price.

Really? Maybe OEM but show me a NEC or PIONEER 16X RETAIL for $89?

Beuler?

Bueler?

Bueler?

Fry?

 

[c627627]

You mean as opposed to OEM?

1. Why is getting a DVD burner retail instead of OEM important please?

2. Are NEC or PIONEER 16X DVD burners not the best ones out there now, and the OEM out of pocket price is $80-something for them.

 

[trikster2]

Hey c627627 how's it going?

> 1. Why is getting a DVD burner retail instead of OEM important please?


OEM producst can be great buys, but there are three things to watch out for when buying OEM:

1. The OEM product may be physically different. In this case the pioneer 108 OEM's are physically different from the retail. Retail version hahave "honeycomb" sound dampening technology and a nicer face plate, OEM version at newegg don't.

2. Everyone in the world does not have a version of NERO. Retail box can be nice if you don't already have burning software

3. Also, in some cases RETAIL boxed will have a better waranty, or at least A waranty. In some cases companies will not support OEM products. I'm not saying this is the case with NEC/Pioneer, have not done my homework, but it's something to look out for when buying OEM.

NEC and Pioneer are getting good deals, but this is all very new technology, and the opera is not over until the latest firmware sings.

In the case of liteon, even though they may not be the top burner, if size is a consideration (and for some it is) they normally make the smallest drives, shorter by nearly a full inch. That can be a major factor in some SFF/MATX cases.....

 

[SirSnipe]

I ordered a NEC 3500A, but Liteon's are getting better in their DVD writing quality, and they have bitsetting as far as I know so that's a plus for them.

 

[superflysocal]

my liteon 401 modded to 811 literally has had errors on every burn regardless of media, + or -, or speed. alwyas seems to be at the end of the movie. Went back to my old sony and it no errors again. Maybe just me though.

 

[Hurin]

I have a 401@811 and it has worked fine...

 

[saechaka]

Originally posted by: SirSnipe
I ordered a NEC 3500A, but Liteon's are getting better in their DVD writing quality, and they have bitsetting as far as I know so that's a plus for them.

so what are the advantages of bitsetting? i'm too lazy to google. i like hearing things from people in this forum

 

[Dravic]

Bitsetting is used to change the booktype of a dvd.


booktype = dvd-r , dvd+r , dvd-rom ....etc


some stand alone dvd readers/players will check the book type to see if it can play/read the dvd. bitsetting allows you to write the dvd with a different booktype setting. So all the players that check for book type will see an dvd-rom, and attempt to read the disk, instead of discard the media altogether because of the booktype dvd+r/-r.

There are many players out that that will see teh dvd+r/-r booktype and not even attempt to read the dvd.

it helps with compatability with older players, and helps get around players that wont play burned dvd media.

 

[MysticMan1]

The guys over at cdrlabs.com have posted a "Lite-On SOHW-1633S Quickie Preview" in their forum and they don't seem to happy with the early burning results Link to forum

 

[Tsunami982]

i have two liteon 812's (flashed to 832) and have burned countless dvd's on several different types of media with no problem. liteon might not be quite as good as it used to be, but they still make good drives. just my 2 cents.

 

[Bozo Galora]

cdrinfo posted a rather negative review of the Pioneer

http://cdrinfo.com/Sections/Re...c.aspx?ArticleId=10114

the "honeycombed" diff faceplate Pioneer wont be avail for a couple weeks

Lite-On also has USB version of 16X

Over at pricegrabber.com they have the Plextor 712A for about $122, but note two dif $30 (cant use both I assume) rebates
available

actually, the current 16X media/burner situation still sucks, there is no all around really good burner
as near as i can tell by reviews, but I dont know how much longer I can wait

 

[TheCoop]

I wonder when the speeds are going to stop, I bought a 4X DVD burner about 1 1/2 years ago and now am afraid to buy a 16X one because the #@X and 50X may be right around the corner, just like the CD burners were.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: TheCoop
I wonder when the speeds are going to stop, I bought a 4X DVD burner about 1 1/2 years ago and now am afraid to buy a 16X one because the #@X and 50X may be right around the corner, just like the CD burners were.

16x is the max for single layer.

 

[Z80]

I have a Pioneer A05/105 and a Lite-On 811S. Both were originally sold as Cendyne or Pacific Digital drives and were firmware flashed to unlock read speeds, burn rates, etc. The Pioneer works well with some media and the Lite-On works well with other media. For example, the last batch of Ritek G04's I bought would only burn at 2X on the Pioneer but burned at 4X on the Lite-On. It helps to have more than one burner if you like to experiment with cheap media like I do. I really like the shorter size of the Lite-On. I wanted two burners in my Antec Lan Boy case and the Lite-On was the only burner that would fit in the lower drive bays. I'll wait for a full review of the Lite-On before deciding on my next burner purchase. I'm not even considering the NEC burners because I had bad experiences with their 1300 and 2500 models, although some people swear they work great.

 

[trikster2]

BOzo

It's funny that you call that a negative review. I purchased the pioneer partly based on that review.

CDRINFO reviews are very complete, just about everything could be called a negative review on that site.

I thought about getting the Plextor 12X, it was $80 last week at dell, but there are SO many bad user experiences with that drive I decided to stay away.

Decided to pick up the Pioneer 16x after reading every single review I could find. It was a toss up with the NEC, but so far I am happy with the drive.

I'll probably pick up one of these liteon's also. I have a case that can only fit a short drive like the liteon's in the bottom bay.