Lite-On finally releases 20x Super AllWrite LH-20A1P DVD burner
By Darren Murph 
posted Nov 13th 2006 8:01PM
posted Nov 13th 2006 8:01PM
Ok, so we knew these bad boys were coming, and now they're finally here -- well, almost. Lite-On is setting the burning world on fire with its newly released 20X Super AllWrite LH-20A1P DVD burner. Touting a lighting-fast 20x write speed for single-sided DVD+/-R discs and 8x for DVDs of the dual-layer variety, the new burner can toast 4.7GB of data in "around five minutes." Of course, it can handle those CD-R / RWs as well, and even DVD-RAM, but we all know you DVD archivers are after the coveted 20x mark when eying this one. To prevent pumping out coasters at an alarming rate, Lite-On included its SMART-BURN technology, which provides buffer underrun protection to keep those burns error free. Unfortunately, the drive hasn't quite hit shelves yet, but it should be ready to grab sometime next month for a currently undisclosed price.
[Via Far East Gizmos]
tell that to the millions that would like to move large quantities of data. portable harddrives are expensive as well as large flash drives. transferring large chunks of data over the internet is time consuming as well since connections suck. burning will be around for a while.
If I wanted to go DVD-RAM, I'll probably have a dedicated drive for it - one that will support cartridge-type DVD-RAM, for faster writes and re-writes. I mean, that's what you really use DVD-RAM for, right? Cheaper than an external HDD but more versatile than DVD-RW and DVD-R.
I'll probably get one of these as dedicated DVD-RAM drives - http://www.digistor.com/Panasonic-DVD-RAM-Cartridge-Drive-Burner-IDE-Black-Bezel.
It's good that LiteOn puts the DVD-RAM capability in there just in case you need it, but DVD-RAM technology is such that its real world applications are pretty much very specific.
Now if it were only SATA.
Just in time for the next generation of discs... just kidding I'll probably buy one myself...
Has anyone ever had the issue of a double layer disc being recognized as just a 700mb cd-r? My burner is capable of dual layer and roxio, nero, sonic, and other dvd programs all recognize it as 8.5gb but when the burn is actually initiated, an error message comes up saying that a normal cd-r is in there and to replace it with a DL... its a BenQ DW1620 using HP 2.4x dvd+r 8.5gb discs. Thanks
Martin,
Get a rosewill IDE to SATA converted...works like a charm.
Now they are SATA!
Can't wait to get my hands on one of these. (They just need to add lightscribe)
Personally Lite-On is a pretty good company and 20x is high speed but burning DVDs is very annoying no matter how fast you are burning but I'd get it...if it came in black
I just purchased a Lite-On CD/RW burner for a desktop. In the package, they mentioned their new product of a standalone burner for your entertainment center (no computer connection) that burns both CD and DVD discs of various flavors. Of all things, I spotted several at the Office Depot in Victoria this last week! I've never known them to be either: a) cutting edge home entertainment folks or b) cutting edge anything sellers.
Just FYI.
Well, I'd be surprised if my DVD player would be able to read 20x burnt discs.
What's the point? I don't think any 20x media even exists, and most DVD drives can read 16x tops.
"Burning is dead."
So if I want to give some data or media to a friend I should buy them an external HDD? I'm sure they'd be thrilled!
Indeed, as others have already mentioned, burning isn't dead, it's just evolving. While DVD data storage is slowly becoming obsolete, it is still ideal for exchanging large files among people who haven't got blazing fast upload speeds.
If nothing else, it will still be used for burning DVD's for viewing in a DVD player, when your monitor simply won't suffice for those "legitimately" obtained movies...
Interesting, but I'm not sure I would care enough to upgrade my current drives...
Also, I imagine "lighting-fast" is supposed to be "lightning-fast".
An Obvious Troll Named Buzzsaw: I think you need to lay off the crack, man... seriously... When you tell me how I can cheaply plug my 500GB drive, even with an external case, into my car's stock CD player, or in my DVD player/TV, without expensive additions or special players, and play MP3's, burned audio CD's, or burned video DVD's, let me know! And of course, let me know how you want me to make copies of that drive for my friends... buy them their own 500GB drive w/external case? Yeah! There we go.
And your first comment shows your age. Gotta be 15 and under. Not because of grammar or maturity, mind you, but because you obviously aren't experienced with how technology prices work. You probably weren't around when DVD burners came out around, what, 1999? 2000? Starting at over $1K and a year later they were well under $200 and falling fast. Or CD burners, or any other PC peripheral or technology. The only mainstream tech I can think of that hasn't plummeted is plasma TV's, and even then, I see them around for $2K-$5K, but I remember when they topped $15K not long ago.
Blu-ray/HD-DVD drives will do the exact same thing as all previous tech. Start expensive and drop to your budget in a few months to a year. If you don't want to wait a year or so, this drive sounds quite interesting and very handy.
I bought this from PC World as Apple compatible but it only mentions Windows on the box. Does anyone know if it should work with a Mac?
Thanks, Liz