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Lite-On SHM-165H6S burn-everything LightScribe E-IDE writer

by Bob Crabtree on 16 August 2006, 11:45

Tags: Lite-On (TPE:2301)

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The press release


PRESS RELEASE

Lite-On IT Lights the Way for All Media

Lite-On IT is combining the very best of two leading optical technologies with the launch of their latest DVD writer

The SHM-165H6S is an internal DVD±R(W) writer with double layer capabilities. It integrates fast writing speeds of up to 16x with LightScribe and Super AllWrite capabilities - meaning users can select media without any worries, and create stunning labels for them too!

LightScribe:
LightScribe is an innovative technology that uses the laser in compatible drives to 'draw' high quality images on the top of specially prepared discs. It provides the ultimate professional finish and makes creased labels and smudged pen a thing of the past. Visit www.lightscribe.com for more information.

Super AllWrite:
Super AllWrite(tm) is compatibility standard which allows the DVD burner to write to any disc media: DVD+/-(R/RW), DVD-RAM and Double Layer. This fantastic optical drive technology means the user no longer has to worry about different types of media or drives. Thus, the purchase and usage of discs will be hassle free and more accessible, especially helpful to novice computer users who do not always understand the differences between media types.

As well as being packed with cutting-edge technology, the SHM-165H6S also demonstrates great performance on reading and writing speeds and quality. The drive writes to double layer media, letting you store, edit and share up to 8.5 GB of video, photos, multi-media presentations and more on one DVD. Furthermore it writes on DVD±R at 16x and rewrites on DVD+RW at 8x and DVD-RW at 6x.

The SHM-165H6S will be available across Europe from August 2006.

KEY FEATURES of the SHM-165H6S:

* Double Layer - Allows to write up to 8.5 GB of data

* SMART-BURN - Eliminates buffer under-run and optimizes high-speed writing for all media

* SMART-X - For smooth and stable audio, setting the optimum speed for playback including high performance DAE/VCD/DVD data extraction

* VAS System - reduces noise and vibration during use

Technical specifications for this product may be found at http://www.liteonit.eu

# Support Double Layer DVD+ / -R9 Recording Function.

# SMART-BURN avoiding Buffer Under Run Error, Automatically adjusting writing strategy & running OPC to provide the best burning quality.

# SMART-X function adjusts CD-DA / VCD / DVD data extraction to a fastest allowable speed according to both data request rate from host and disk quality.

# VAS system reduce vibration and noise during recording and reading.

# Support Fixed Packet, Variable Packet, TAO, SAO, DAO, Raw Mode Burning & Over-Burn.

# DVD read compliant : DVD single / dual layer (PTP / OTP), DVD-R (3.9GB / 4.7GB), DVD-R multi-borders, DVD+R, DVD+R multi-sessions, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW.

# CD read compliant : CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM / XA, Photo-CD, Multi-session, Karaoke-CD, Video-CD, CD-I FMV, CD Extra, CD Plus, CD-R, and CD-RW.

# Support both 8cm and 12cm disc of CD and DVD family.

# Conform to Orange Book : Part 2 CD-R Volume 1, Part 2 CD-R Volume 2 Multi Speed, Part 3 CD-RW Volume 1 (1x, 2x, and 4x), Part 3 CD-RW Volume 2 : High Speed, Part 3 CD-RW Volume 3 : Ultra Speed.

# Supported transfer mode : PIO mode 4, DMA mode 2 and Ultra DMA mode 4.

# Support Lightscribe direct disk labeling to Lightscribe media



HEXUS Forums :: 9 Comments

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All these nice features and it's an IDE drive.
Doh!

Number of IDE ports available as standard on Intel 965 chipsets? Zero.
Number of optical drive manufacturers with a clue who make SATA drives? Two (Plextor and Samsung).
ive got a gigabyte DS4 that has an ide port?
All the 965 boards available now have IDE available through an add-on chip. That chip cost you money, not to mention that there's only 1 IDE channel. So if you want to bring over an IDE HD from your old system it'll be running with reduced throughput if you put in an IDE optical drive as well.

In fact I'm unable to find any new MB for Intel CPUs that has 2 IDE channels.
I thought about kicking Lite-On to death about this when I wrote the piece but didn't.

Why?

Well, first off, I knew that you good people wouldn't let this pass without comment.

But the main reason was because of the very odd situation that I know exists between Lite-On's retail division and its factories.

The retail side of things - certainly in Europe - seems to be last in the pecking order.

So it seems only to get product once all the factories' orders from OEM customers have been met.

So, my suspicion is that the poor bleeders were just grateful to get what they could, whether it's E-IDE/PATA or SATA!

I also think that a lot of the production of this product will have been destined for use in external drive housings - probably USB 2.0 - and that E-IDE versions of such housing are still probably considerably cheaper than SATA. And that leads me to another thought…

…I can only speak for myself but every PC I own has a DVD burner in it, so I'm always placed in an awkward position if a new DVD technology comes along that I'd like to be able to use with all my machines.

One way would be to buy a new burner for the two main PCs and shuffle the various writers around so that there's a trickle-down improvement in the specs of the burners in all PCs.

But I'm a cheapskate and don't want to buy two burners at a stretch and, anyway, that would only let me use the new-gen stuff on two machines.

So, my very best burner always sits in an external caddy - a FireWire/USB 2.0 unit - so I can use it if needs be on any of the five PCs in the house that are always set up.

When I buy into a new generation of DVD burner, the old one comes out and replaces the one in the PC on which I do most burning - and then the trickle-down effect proper kicks in - but I can still use the new-gen burner on any machine.

Okay, I agree that SATA is the only sensible option if you're going to put it within a modern PC - so really, Lite-On should have offered SATA and PATA versions (at the same price) - but I'm guessing that all the production of SATA versions is currently being directed to OEM customers and the retail side will only get its nose in the trough some time later.

But anyone who, like me, wants to burn the latest disc types on multiple PCs might consider SATA problemmatic - until they buy a SATA>USB/FireWire external drive bay.

Bottom line though - I must be going soft!

:rolleyes:
(I'm US based for what that's worth)

I just purchased one of these drives a couple of weeks ago. So far I haven't had any problems it. While I haven't burnt any DVDs yet, Lightscribe has been flawless and the CD burn quality has been excellent.

Bob are you planning on doing a review of one of these soon?

SATA drive availablilty in the U.S. is dismal as well, at last check NewEgg only carried three SATA drives: a LightOn DVD Rom/CD-RW drive ($28) and two Plexar DVD Burners ($90-$110).