Fall 2004 DVDR Roundup: Dual Layer and 16X DVD+R
by Anand Shimpi & Virginia Lee on November 1, 2004 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Storage
LiteOn SOHW-1633S
Our roundup would not be complete without an offering from LiteOn. LiteOn has continuously proven itself as a solid (but generally not outstanding) OEM and retail manufacturer.| LiteOn SHOW-1633S 16X DVD-/+RW Drive | |
| Interface | PATA |
| CD Write Speed | 48X, 40X CAV 32X, 24X P-CAV 16X, 8X CLV |
| CD Rewrite Speed | 24X Z-CLV 16X, 10X, 4X CLV |
| CD Read Speed | 40X MAX CAV |
| DVD-R Write Speed | 8X, 6X Z-CLV 4X, 2X, 1X |
| DVD-RW Rewrite Speed | 4X, 2X, 1X CLV |
| DVD+R Write Speed | 16X CAV 12X, 8X P-CAV 6X, 4X, 2.4X |
| DVD+RW Rewrite Speed | 4X, 2.4X |
| DVD+DL Write Speed | 2.4X CLV |
| DVD Read Speed | 16X MAX CAV |
| Supported Modes | DAO / DAO-RAW 16 & 96 TAO SAO / RAW SAO, RAW SAO 16 & 96 Packet Write Multi-Session |
| Supported Formats | DVD±R/W (DAO, Incremental, muti-border, restricted overwriting) CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-DA, (variable packet, TAO, SAO, DAO, raw burning/overburn) |
| Access Time | CD: 160ms DVD: 160ms |
| Buffer | 2MB |
Once again, LiteOn went with a MediaTek based DSP, the MT1828E. Below, you can see a scan of the double-sided PCB. Using a PCB with components on both sides slightly increases the cost and complexity of the unit, but also decreases the size of the drive. This is why most MediaTek burners have a smaller form factor.
Click to enlarge.
On the front side of the mainboard, there is not a whole lot to see other than the Samsung 3.3V DRAM module. The reverse side of the main PCB can be seen below.
Click to enlarge.
Coupled with the analog controller, the MT1616E, the SHOW-1633S provides all the features of NEC and Pioneer, as well as additional features like error feedback. All MediaTek controllers provide feedback to the PC on the number of C1/C2/C3 (or PI/PO) errors produced during a burn. Software like K-Probe allows the PC to record and graph these errors in the same manner that Q-Tools reports errors. This is a great feature if you are a hardware reviewer, but not something that we would recommend as a factor in a purchase decision.
Although we are accustomed to high pitch whines while writing discs, the LiteOn 1633S was extremely noisy.
Feel free to download the performance graphs for the SOHW-1633S here.
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Sabresiberian - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
#15 DL is important to me because I know the price of media will drop and I want the drive I buy to be as useful as possible for the longest time possible. I might be buying it today but I will be using it tomorrow :) Overall you make some good points :)I think this is a difficult time to do this kind of article, because other improved versions will be available before the end of the year. For example, the Plextor 716A will be released with SATA capabilities.
I think its wierd that you couldn't get the Plextor drive in time, as I know this product has been reviewed by others.
southernpac - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
A recent (17 August) article in PC World advised extreme caution when buying an OEM (versus retail) DVD burner. It said that OEM units "carry no manufacturer's warranty, lack burning software and are ineligible for firmware upgrades" (therefore costing more in the long run). Many examples were given. I would appreciate advise as to whether this is percieved to be a real concern. If so, NEC has no retail outlet - how would you buy a non-OEM unit?southernpac - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
A recent (August 17th) PC World article advised extreme caution when buying OEM vs. retail DVD burners. It claimed that OEM versions carry no manufacturer's warranty, lack software and are ineligible for firmware upgrades (therefore actually costing more in the long run). Many examples were given. I would appreciate some advise as to whether this is percieved to be a real risk. If so, NEC has no retail outlet - how would you buy a non-OEM unit? BillGatak - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
How about overburn tests? I have many times wanted to burn 50-100MB more than a standard single-layer disk but failed because my drive or software won't do it.Codyman - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
I'm kinda wondering if a PX716A couldn't get crammed into this test somehow. Been waiting for this review in hopes that it would've been in this test and I haven't been waiting the extra couple months for nothing.danidentity - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
I'd like to see a list of recommended media for different speed grades (4x, 8x, etc.) for different burners.techfuzz - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
Why weren't the firmware on all the drives tested brought up to at the very least the most recent officially released version? For example, NEC's current official firmware is v2.17 where the v2.16 used in this roundup is the original firmware as-shipped from the factory?!Bozo Galora - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
firmwares are on www.cdrinfo.comecouser - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
Doesn’t Samsung make a Dual Layer DVD burner? If so why isn’t it in this roundup?MIDIman - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
Yay! I'm a winner! I was waiting for this article, but couldn't wait long enough, and picked up the NEC two weeks ago. Couldn't be happier.Here's hoping for better Ritek 8x/16x support...