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- Fast, reliable Blu-ray burning
- LightScribe-compatible
- Plays HD DVDs too
- Somewhat slow DVD and dual-layer burning
- Relatively expensive
- Easily confused with other LG models
LG's GGW-H20L Blu-ray burner gets some of the best press in its category. The drive burns Blu-ray discs at a fast 6x. But performance when burning DVDs is slow by current standards, though still respectable at 16x. However, slower DVD burning speeds are common to all Blu-ray burners. Reviewers claim that the LG GGW-H20L is the best overall value for high-tech compatibility, and the fact that it even plays HD DVDs (a format no longer being used) should make it ideal for anyone who picked the wrong side in the recent format war. The unit also burns LightScribe discs. LG makes other Blu-ray models with numbers quite close to GGW-H20L that are very similar. But all H20L models have been praised in professional reviews.
The LG GGW-H20L and its variants get a fair amount of coverage from reviewers, especially considering the scant attention optical drives usually get in the mainstream. HardwareZone.com gives readers an in-depth report on the model's performance. Australian PC Authority, MaximumPC.com, and About.com all have highly positive, though somewhat cursory, reviews. Newegg.com has plenty of user feedback.
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HardwareZone.com's Vincent Chang gives the LG GGW-H20L 4.5 stars out of five in this comprehensive review. He says that the drive's price and format support is enough to get consumers into the Blu-ray burner market. "Ordinary" DVD write speeds are one downside.
Review: LG GGW-H20L, Vincent Chang, May 7, 2008
Sasha Muller puts the LG GGW-H20L on Australian PC Authority's A List in this brief review that compares it to other Blu-ray drives. He says that the LG GGW-H20L beats competitors in write speed, and writes dual-layer Blu-ray Discs (many others don't), but that dual-layer speeds are less remarkable.
Review: LG GGW-H20L, Sasha Muller, June 18, 2008
3. MaximumPC.comDetails/Subscribe
Katherine Stevenson is effusive in her praise of the LG GBW-H20L, the newer variant of the LG GGW-H20L. She says that it beats out similar models from Samsung and Lite-On, though it falls a touch short of the performance of the LG GGW-H20L. It also lacks the HD DVD playing capability, but Stevenson doesn't seem to miss it.
Review: LG GBW-H20L, Katherine Stevenson, Aug. 11, 2008
4. About.com
In this roundup of Blu-ray burners, Mark Kyrnin, the About.com guide to computer hardware, names the LG GGW-H20L the best overall value. Kyrnin's write-up is short, but cites speed and the HD DVD compatibility as among this model's strengths. Kyrnin also recommends the nearly identical LG GGC-H20L for those who'd rather do without HD DVD support. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Best Desktop Blu-ray Drives, Mark Kyrnin, Feb. 19, 2009
5. NewEgg.com
Over 150 users rate the LG GGW-H20L on Newegg.com. Sixty-four percent give it a full five out of five; the average score for the unit is four. Speed, compatibility and value are lauded. Some posters report software problems can get in the way of HD DVD playback.
Review: LG GGW-H20L, Contributors to Newegg.com, As of June 2009
DVD Burners Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
LG Electronics GGC-H20L LightScribe Blu-Ray/HD DVD Combo Drive (Black)
 from Amazon.com New: $145.00
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