Lite-On SATA 20x Super All Write LightScribe Internal DVD/Dual Layer RW Drive (LH20A1L06) Reviews

• Cheap and reliable

  
  By A1O1RG8QYMITIX on 2007-11-18
  I have had this drive for about 4 months. It burns reliably (though burning over 12x gets a bit funky). The Lightscribe is pretty nice to have, although it takes a while for jobs. I personally do not etch graphics to discs, since it takes up a lot of my time. So far, I have burned Sony, RiData, Memorex, and Verbatim (being the best, w/o failure).
  
  I installed the drive into an external drive enclosure, without incident.
  
  Just a word of caution, when burning to disc, the drive sounds like a propeller plane getting ready for take-off. The vibrations also make my computer desk to resonate a hum. No big deal, but it may for some.
  
  

• Easy Installation for Non-Geeks

  
  By A2RO40LIBUA67E on 2008-04-09
  My old computer recently bit the dust (it was laid to rest with the ceremony due a faithful soldier) and, for the first time in years, I had the opportunity to build a system from the ground up. I figured since I was starting from scratch anyway, I might as well use the latest tech available, and that means SATA.
  
  Now, according to a popular on-line encyclopedia, SATA is great because, "the main advantages over the older parallel ATA interface are faster data transfer, ability to remove or add devices while operating (hot swapping), thinner cables that let air cooling work more efficiently, and more reliable operation with tighter data integrity checks."
  
  The only part I saw was *FASTER* - I'm a guy, so if it's faster, it's gotta be better, right?
  
  Right.
  
  But for some reason SATA, which has been around since at least 2004, hasn't caught on in the accessories area and SATA hard drives and DVD-R's can be hard to find. This Lite-On 20x Super All Write LightScribe Internal DVD/Dual Layer RW Drive (LH20A1L06) is one of the better options in an admittedly limited field of choices.
  
  Some other reviews have talked about the drive feeling frail or light-weight, but that wasn't my impression. It seemed solid enough and compared favorably with one of my favorite burners the Sony DRU-800A Internal ATAPI/EIDE Double-Layer/Dual-Format DVD/CD Recorder. Other comments have stated that they needed to download software or were missing a data cable. I didn't have any of those problems. But, just for the record, what I got was the drive, a white faceplate (in case you don't like the default color), Nero 7 (LightScribe edition), data cable, four screws, and assorted documentation.
  
  Nero is my favorite burning software, and was I so completely in love with version 6 that I really hesitated when I saw that this drive comes with version 7. But you have to use it, if you want to use the LightScribe features and burn your labels to your CD's and DVD's. I have to report that, to date, my experience with Nero 7 Ultra Edition Enhanced Pc & Home Entrmnt Soln has been uniformly positive.
  
  I'm guessing that most people who buy this drive are not your average PC user. I think there's only a few of us dinosaurs around who remember the days when nothing was plug-n-play and the idea of an external drive was a laughable fantasy, induced by too much Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete Seasons 1-3 and Tab. But, I consider myself an Übergeek and the idea of cracking the case open not only didn't intimidate me - I was looking forward to it!
  
  The beauty of a SATA install is how easy it is. No jumper pin settings, no worrying about CD0 vs. CD1 (or is it the other way around?) After opening the case, screwing down the burner, and plugging it in, Windows will find it without any fuss and you're ready to rock. Well, after installing the aforementioned Nero 7 software.
  
  That said, a couple of cautions may be in order. Of course, make sure your PC is unplugged before ever thinking about opening the case. Back up your documents (maybe by copying them to an Iomega Desktop Hard Drive 500 GB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 External Hard Drive). And before installing any software, I always like to create a system restore point.
  
  A system restore point is a handy little program from Microsoft® that allows you to "roll-back" changes made to your system to an earlier date in time. Is it perfect, heck no. But it's pretty stable and it's saved me a time or two. And it can't hurt.
  
  Creating a system restore is super easy. To get to System Restore, go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore
  
  From the the first pop-up screen select, "Create a restore point." Next, enter a restore point description (the current date and time will be automatically added.) Select "Create." One you get the confirmation that the restore point has been created, select "close."
  
  Now, theoretically, if installing some piece of software hoses you up, you should be able to roll-back any changes made to your system, in addition to just uninstalling the offensive software.
  
  As I write this review I haven't used the LightScribe feature and, in general, I probably won't. The LightScribe disks are still a little too pricy for me - especially as compared to a Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Tip 5 pack Black. Plus, I've worked with LightScribe, at least an early version of it, and I wasn't overwhelmed with the quality of the print you get. It's a kind of grainy monochrome that reminds me of 50's pictures from my parent's photo album. But maybe it's gotten better and I'm all wet. I'll buy some LS-capable CD's, burn a label and post a picture here, so you can judge for yourself.
  
  All-in-all, I'm pretty happy with this drive. It's a little noisy when burning, but the install was easy, the software works great, and I had everything I needed all in the same box.
  
  

• F A S T - fast

  
  By A3KD2R579TC5DC on 2008-01-26
  I have owned dozens of DVD drives and this one beats them all, period. I installed this drive as #2 in my new Dell 531 desktop and it beats the #1 Dell drive (a 12x drive) by 3 to 1 in pure reading speed. I am not talking about some benchmark program numbers, I mean in real world use. I am converting a CD collection to MP3s etc. and the read rate from this drive is 12 to 13 Mbs. It is simply amazing.
  
  So after two weeks and dozens hours using this drive I am going to order another one to replace the Dell drive. I can digitize (MP3 ize) 3 CDs using this drive before the other drive completes 1 CD.
  
  One NEGATIVE about the drive - It feels cheap and the disc tray seems flimsy to me. It works every time but feels "lose" or something.
  
  Enjoy
  
  

• Good hardware, poor software

  
  By AO9TY12WCB0RL on 2008-03-08
  I installed the drive without any problems and it works just fine. The software on the other hand is terrible. After accepting the upgrades (and even before) SmartStart Essentials (the main control panel) won't close without control/alt/delete. The instruction manuals are so sparse, it's as if they assume that you already know how to use their product. I was excited to see that they had a "Capture" button on the DVD player, but I've looked everywhere to find the setup, where I want the captures to go to etc. No luck! I'm no geek, but I sure have years of experience with various programs and their setups. The software needs a ton of work. And of course, as soon as you install it, they begin to bombard you with upgrades, deals and "30 day free trials". How about just making the stuff work right in the first place? Maybe then you could sell more of it. Nuff' said!
  
  

• Exellent. Fast, responsive, works with many brands of media

  
  By A10C84Y38RT22P on 2008-03-31
  This is a great burner. Very fast and responsive. Works well with more brands of media than my more expensive sony burner does. Also erases old disks that the sony burner would not. This is a SATA burner. I didn't see that in the description anywhere and luckily i had an extra SATA port left.
  
  Highly recommended. Great price too.
  
  
• Works great (so far)
  By AJKJUGW0ELAW1 on 2007-08-13
  It writes dvds just fine. I havent tried to make a lightscribe label with it yet though.
  
  
• morbius light scribe 20x
  By AVHBP4NJT48PZ on 2008-02-08
  Drive was easy to install except for the that no power adapter was included which then had to be ordered, and subsequenty installed. After installation some software had to be downloaded, but some was downloaded on a TRIAL basis and had to be paid for later. To me, all software should have been included free. I now have to put out more money to get the drive fully functional. Buggers!
  
  
• Wrong Choice
  By A306PXRKR7YIUT on 2008-01-28
  Unfortunately I had to return this product as it is for newer mother boards with a SATA connection. My pc that it was ordered for is older and needs the IDE format. So now I have nothing as the DVD and CR-ROM in the old standby both failed and were tossed when I attempted to install this as a replacement.
  
  
• Unit works fine...but
  By A18XQWRDWU6PT on 2008-02-09
  If Lite-On added a $2 ATA power adapter to the box, I wouldn't have waited 10 days (including a backorder)to use it! Lite-On supplies a ATA data cable, but without power, you are nowhere. Drive itself works OK.
  
  
• Great little LightScribe burner
  By A30T8PT4Q9RO1Q on 2008-03-01
  This LightScribe DVD Burner was easy to install. If your connections are IDE, you will need a IDE to SATA power adapter: Tripp Lite P944-06I Serial ATA (SATA) Power Cable (6 Inch) ($2.50).
  
  
  
• disappointed
  By A3ZS0W0QAZW1W on 2008-03-06
  Although I am satisfied with the performance of the burnerm I am disappointed with the lightscribe portion.
  
  No matter what settings I use, the label burned on the cd always comes out light, barely visible.
  
  
• Great Product
  By A2B81RI0BR3KP8 on 2008-04-09
  Great product. Had issues installing it using the SATA power and data fields, I had to purchase the power adapter as I have an older machine. The product will not work properly with much older processors, but I did manage to install it into a machine only a few years old. Burning speeds are based on your processor etc... so mine will not burn at full capabilities, but it all works well.
  
  Nero software is fantastic, but I suggest getting the full release, or paying for the software after the trial is over. The light scribe is great and the burner is quiet. I would recommend this burner, especially for the price amazon is selling it for.
  
  
• [raises hand] I did it too, Needed IDE this is SATA
  By A33YL6EEF9ZMUO on 2008-02-04
  This is a SATA drive, it even says so but you have to read everything there is to possibly read about it. If I were selling it I would have SATA in the header. But, this is my fault. I'll return it and get the one I need and pay more attention to what I am buying. I gave it a two just because of no SATA mentioned in the header for those of us who don't pay attention. Good thing I didn't open the box first. Other than that I know this brand and stand by it, in fact when I do get the right one it will be Lite-On.
  
  
• LH20A1l06
  By A27N99M0N3NE9I on 2008-03-30
  Installed like it should.
  Burns like it should.
  Not sure about the depth of it's lightscribe delivery.
  It was a good purchase
  
  
• ..
  By A15KH5PICS3LTW on 2008-07-26
  installed it, but the software and drivers can never be found, and when the nero software starts it does not work and its a waste of money, dvd fails to run now as well.
  
  
• Incompatable
  By A1LCEZ2HLP3QI8 on 2008-01-24
  Was a SATA only and wasn't advertised as such. Therefore it was uncompatable and I had to pay shipping to return it.
  
  
• Look in Your Rear View Mirror for the Police-This is Stealing
  By A3UISRDY34DUR5 on 2008-02-09
  What a great product for a terrifically low price. It does it all. DVD's with dual layer, CD's and all with LightScribe. It is reasonably fast and does a great job. It only cost me $44.00. It comes with a light and dark bexel so you can select your option and is internal so you just add it into an empty bay in your tower. You are missing a great buy if you pass this one up.
  The Time Keeper
  
  
• Lite -on w/light scribe
  By A3UERCX501JSY4 on 2008-02-14
  Product said it contained lightscribe as of yet My software does not find the lightscribe element. everthing else works. Not to happy.
  
  
• Lite-On DVD Burner
  By A2SNU4BPWUMR69 on 2008-03-01
  I got this item approx,3 weeks ago and it is working great. I think it is the best deal with that much money.
  
  
• Better Than DELL's Factory Burner
  By ANW52NKL43W1S on 2008-03-05
  I bought this for in my DELL XPS 410 which is only a little over 1 year old. Footnote; this was the second piece of hardware to fail on my XPS!!!The first was the hard drive while still under warranty, Oh Yeah both were the same manufacture on the failures! This Lite-On does everything it states on the description. It is a tick bit loud when it spins to burn, but I can live with it. Very Pleased.
  
  
• Doesn't burn Audio CDs Very well
  By A2EG5EFFF2V4XY on 2008-04-05
  Haven't tried burning DVD R yet but have had trouble burning playable audio CDs using two different CD burning software. Tried with both Itunes and Roxio Easy Media Creator 9. You might want to keep your old CDRW burner for Old fashioned Audio CD burning.
  
  
• Easy installation
  By A2WK8IHNR5DUUW on 2008-07-22
  This was probably one of the easiest installs I have ever done. I had the unit installed and the computer up and running in about 4 minutes with out any problems. If you want a solid economical burner this will do it.
  
  
• pretty good
  By A2FWO1QXL2FH7L on 2008-08-24
  Item came as promised- very quick rip time, average burn time. Overall, good value. Would advise others to purchase.
  
  
• Lite-On DVD burner
  By AMV5LDK82WQEG on 2008-09-15
  The order was delivered promptly, installation was straight-forward
  and the burner works like a charm. What more could I ask for?
  
  
• Death piece
  By A1ANXPTVTXHXUC on 2008-09-17
  Died after the first two weeks.
  It does not died completely. Motherboard can find the drive, but sometimes cannot recognize. Sometimes every thing looks good, but when read a disc, it fails. I was thinking it is because of the disc, but after tried some more discs and tried them in another machine, I am sure it is because of the drive.
  When try to write a disc, it keep telling the disc is not writable, please enter a empty disc...
  
  

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