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DVD Burners
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- Best Blu-ray and DVD burner Pioneer BDR-203 *Est. $210
- Best DVD burner with Blu-ray playback Pioneer BDC-2202B5PK *Est. $135
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- Inexpensive
- Fast
- Above-average write quality
- Can burn text and graphics on special DVDs, CDs
- Uses Nero software
- Not great on DVD±R
- A bit noisy
Computers made before 2005 usually require an IDE connection rather than an SATA to install an internal DVD burner. For those who need an IDE drive, reviews favor the Lite-On LH-20A1H among the Windows-only IDEs that burn regular CDs and DVDs and multilayer DVDs. Reviews say the Lite-On LH-20A1H is fast (20x) and above average in accuracy (less impressive on DVD±R). It also has some cool features. One of those features is LightScribe technology that allows burning text and graphic labeling on the face of specially coated (and more expensive) CDs and DVDs. Professional reviews and owner reviews do say the Lite-On LH-20A1H is a bit noisy, and some users aren't thrilled about the Nero software (compared to competitor Roxio). Professional and owner reviews like the price. For owners of newer computers that have an SATA connector, reviews recommend the Samsung SH-S223Q (*Est. $30).
We found the best coverage of the Lite-On LH-20A1H at CDRInfo.com, CDRLabs.com, CDFreaks.com and HotHardware.com. All of them have a bit more technical detail than the average person will want. We found about 20 owner reviews at Amazon.com.
Our Sources
1. CDRInfo.com
CDRInfo.com produces a long, technical and ultimately lukewarm review of the Lite-On LH-20A1S, albeit with pre-release firmware that admittedly might account for all the uncorrectable writing errors on DVDs. "We should say that we expected more [writing quality] from Lite-On and the LH-20A1S," the review says.
Review: Lite-On LH-20A1S, Editors of CDRInfo.com, Aug. 2, 2007
2. CDRLabs.com
Computer professionals write the reviews here, and the Lite-On LH-20A1H scores a perfect 10 for features, an eight for installation and a seven for performance. The LightScribe feature is appreciated, but write quality was disappointing on DVD±R DL media.
Review: Lite-On LH-20A1H 20x "Super AllWrite" DVD±RW/RAM, Feb. 8, 2007
3. CDFreaks.com
CDFreaks.com says the Lite-On LH-20A1H is "one of the fastest drives we've tested so far." It says the write quality is above average but does not say which products are better.
Review: Lite-On LH-20A1H DVD Burner Review, Lin Pearson, June 6, 2007
HotHardware.com does a comparative review based on extensive testing, giving the nod to the Lite-On LH-20A1H over two other burners as the best value. There was "average" write performance and noise, but it "had the lowest access times, highest burn speeds and fastest audio ripping times."
Review: DVD+/-RW Drive Round-Up 2007, Robert Maloney, Dec. 20, 2007
5. Amazon.com
Owner reviews at Amazon.com give the Lite-On LH-20A1H a high average score, and only a few are very dissatisfied. But even some of the happy users aren't wild about the Nero software.
Review: Lite-On LH-20A1H DVD Burner Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
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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