CD Freaks Presents: Lite-On LH-20A1L DVD Burner Review

LiteOn / PLDS / Sony Writer Discuss, CD Freaks Presents: Lite-On LH-20A1L DVD Burner Review at CD and DVD Writers forum; CD Freaks are proud to present. The Lite-On LH-20A1L Review You can read the review here Please feel free to comment on the review in this thread. You are also invited to post tests results of this drive here as well. __________________ My Review PC & Optical Drives We came

Old Posted: 21-01-2008
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Dee (Senior Administrator and Reviewer)
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CD Freaks are proud to present.
The Lite-On LH-20A1L Review

You can read the review here

Please feel free to comment on the review in this thread.
You are also invited to post tests results of this drive here as well.
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Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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Brilliant review, Dee! Thank you very much for taking your time to do it.

If you'd like me to check over the review [check for typos], let me know.

As of right now, I only see a couple of typos [that I figured I would point out]:

Introduction page: "Our package was the bulk version and contained the Lite-On LH-2-A1L drive, fixing screws, software CD-ROM, and manual."

Conclusiong page: " Negative:

* Introduction Noise levels are high when the drive is running at high speed. "
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Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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Thanks Albert
Please feel free to point out any typo's.
I'll fix the ones you mentioned now.
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Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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Thank you Dee-27, nice review
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CPU: Intel E2160 M0 @ 3.0GHz (333x9) @ 1.375v @ Stock HSF GPU: Gigabyte GeForce 8600GT @ 700/1600
RAM: 2 x 1GB Kingston DDR2-667 @ 800 2.0v 4-4-4-12 MB: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3 PSU: Cooler Master Extreme 650W
HDD: 1 x Maxtor 40GB (IDE) + 1 x WD 320 GB (IDE) @ IT8212F IDE RAID Controller Card (ATAPI BIOS)

Optical:
Sony DRU-810A @ DW1640 BSLB +Speed RPC1
BenQ DW1800 @ LH-20A1P KL0P FBL EOS EOHT6 RPC1 DIY
Pioneer DVR-112BK @ DVR-112L 8.25 +Speed RPC1

Gone:
Samsung SH-S182D @ TS-H652D KC03 RPC1
Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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geerten (New on Forum)
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A nice review, and useful as always. Looking forward to the next (is there a review of the NEC 7200 coming up ?)
But I missed the Advanced Tests: special features like sheep test, DAE performance etc.
Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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minaelromany (CDFreaks Resident)
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Very good and extensive review Dee-27

I have an observation though regarding overspeeding media test results :

Why not also test at the maximum rated speed ? different batches of media can cause problems when overspeeding and that is the fault of the media , not the burner
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C2Q Q6600 L804@3.66 (458x8) 1.525 Bios (1.480 CPU-Z) Vcore with OCZ Vendetta 2
Asus X48 Rampage Formula
2x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800 4-4-4-12@DDR2 1100 5-5-5-15 2.05v
VisionTek Radeon HD4870@815/1150(4600 GDDR5!)
Asus MK221H 22" Widescreen LCD
WD 1.0TB Black + 2xWD 640GB Blue
Audigy2 ZS-Cambridge SoundWorks DTT 3500 Digital
HEC Zypher 750 Watt
Gigabyte Aurora 3D 570 Case

DVD Burners :
Samsung 203B SB03
NEC Optiarc AD-7200S
ASUS 1608P3S@Pioneer 111L 8.29
Sony 810A@Benq 1640 BSLB
Retail Benq 1640 BSLB
LiteOn iHAS120
Best Media : Panasonic TYG03 / Samsung Pleomax OPTODISC R16 / Verbatim MCC004 / CMC MAG E01
Boycott every faked/low quality media
Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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@geerten
I have no knowledge of an ongoing 7200 review. So far, Optiarc hasn't sent any one in the review team one for review.
Regarding the advanced tests. We are in the process of restructuring our reviewing methods and testing procedures. The advance tests you mentioned, will be back in my reviews very soon. Along with a few more advanced tests.

@minaelromany
All my review media is kept separate from my own stuff. The same batches are used for all reviews. I know for a fact these discs are good.
Regarding (overspeed) We always burn the media for our reviews at the maximum allowed by the drive. If a manufacturer claims a disc can be burned faster than its rated speed. It should be able to do this.
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Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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erzug (CD Freaks Junior Member)
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My only question is what was the firmware level of the the drive at the time of the review? This information is always handy for any drive review because it allows one to check the manufacturer's website to see if they may have just put out a more current version that possibly addresses the detected shortcomings.
Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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Skylon (CD Freaks Senior Member)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erzug View Post
My only question is what was the firmware level of the the drive at the time of the review? This information is always handy for any drive review because it allows one to check the manufacturer's website to see if they may have just put out a more current version that possibly addresses the detected shortcomings.
The firmware used in the review is BL05 as I seen from Nero Infotool screenshot (it's also stated the firmware under that screenshot)

Quote:
From the screenshot from Nero InfoTool above, we can see the Lite-On LH-20A1L supports DVD-RAM read/write and LightScribe direct to disc labelling. The drive came shipped with firmware version BL05.
__________________
CPU: Intel E2160 M0 @ 3.0GHz (333x9) @ 1.375v @ Stock HSF GPU: Gigabyte GeForce 8600GT @ 700/1600
RAM: 2 x 1GB Kingston DDR2-667 @ 800 2.0v 4-4-4-12 MB: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3 PSU: Cooler Master Extreme 650W
HDD: 1 x Maxtor 40GB (IDE) + 1 x WD 320 GB (IDE) @ IT8212F IDE RAID Controller Card (ATAPI BIOS)

Optical:
Sony DRU-810A @ DW1640 BSLB +Speed RPC1
BenQ DW1800 @ LH-20A1P KL0P FBL EOS EOHT6 RPC1 DIY
Pioneer DVR-112BK @ DVR-112L 8.25 +Speed RPC1

Gone:
Samsung SH-S182D @ TS-H652D KC03 RPC1
Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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erzug (CD Freaks Junior Member)
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Thanks. Don't know how I missed that infotools screenshot.
Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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erzug (CD Freaks Junior Member)
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That's really strange. When I go to the Liteon firmware download page and click on the download button, the file name is 20A1LBL02.zip (dated 1/2/08).
Old Posted: 22-01-2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erzug View Post
That's really strange. When I go to the Liteon firmware download page and click on the download button, the file name is 20A1LBL02.zip (dated 1/2/08).
Regional download sites are not updated as frequently as the Global one.

See here for all the latest links: No-Frills Links to Official LiteOn ODD Firmwares.

superhero
Old Posted: 23-01-2008
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erzug (CD Freaks Junior Member)
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Thanks. Funny that the BL05 update date is the same as the file I found on the Lite-on's regional download link (1/2/08). Oh well.
Old Posted: 23-01-2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee-27 View Post

@minaelromany
All my review media is kept separate from my own stuff. The same batches are used for all reviews. I know for a fact these discs are good.
Regarding (overspeed) We always burn the media for our reviews at the maximum allowed by the drive. If a manufacturer claims a disc can be burned faster than its rated speed. It should be able to do this.
Excellent way to determine burners quality apart from batch inconsistency

Another observation : jitter levels ! Why don't you use nero cd/dvd speed for scanning which also has jitter testing ?
__________________
C2Q Q6600 L804@3.66 (458x8) 1.525 Bios (1.480 CPU-Z) Vcore with OCZ Vendetta 2
Asus X48 Rampage Formula
2x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800 4-4-4-12@DDR2 1100 5-5-5-15 2.05v
VisionTek Radeon HD4870@815/1150(4600 GDDR5!)
Asus MK221H 22" Widescreen LCD
WD 1.0TB Black + 2xWD 640GB Blue
Audigy2 ZS-Cambridge SoundWorks DTT 3500 Digital
HEC Zypher 750 Watt
Gigabyte Aurora 3D 570 Case

DVD Burners :
Samsung 203B SB03
NEC Optiarc AD-7200S
ASUS 1608P3S@Pioneer 111L 8.29
Sony 810A@Benq 1640 BSLB
Retail Benq 1640 BSLB
LiteOn iHAS120
Best Media : Panasonic TYG03 / Samsung Pleomax OPTODISC R16 / Verbatim MCC004 / CMC MAG E01
Boycott every faked/low quality media
Old Posted: 23-01-2008
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Dee (Senior Administrator and Reviewer)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minaelromany View Post
Another observation : jitter levels ! Why don't you use nero cd/dvd speed for scanning which also has jitter testing ?
Soon i hope. As i said above, review testing methods are being discussed. So providing some other testing issues can be agreed soon. CD-Speed scans along with jitter tests should be around soon.
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Old Posted: 23-01-2008
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Wischmop (CD Freaks Senior Member)
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I´m disappointed about the MCC004-scan

Did u only use 1 MCC004 or more for testing?
Old Posted: 24-01-2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wischmop View Post
Did u only use 1 MCC004 or more for testing?
No, i burned 2 discs. The first one was the better of the two, but not by much and that is the one i used in the review. Same applies to other media which didn't get as good a result as expected. Although sometimes the second burn was better, again, not by much.
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Old Posted: 24-01-2008
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Wischmop (CD Freaks Senior Member)
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Thx, Dee

Didn´t use Liteon a learning OPC?
Old Posted: 24-01-2008
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mindwarper (MyCE Member)
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I was eagerly awaiting a review of this model here @ CDFreaks.com.
Thanks and for this review!

Useful indeed, I am currently in the market for a LiteOn LH-20xAy drive and this SATA LightScribe could very well be the drive of choice for my "soon" next to be system...
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Old Posted: 31-01-2008
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I am really surprised that the DVD+RW 8x Verbatim result were that good.
In the test by c't (german mag) this DVD+RW got really bad results.
Same drive, same firmware, discs tested by Audiodev....

Aside from that result, they stated:
This drive is the best Liteon has published yet! A really good overall performer.
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Old Posted: 19-09-2008
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Is this drive worth purchasing as a replacement for an older IDE liteon writer?
Old Posted: 21-09-2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wolverin View Post
Is this drive worth purchasing as a replacement for an older IDE liteon writer?
It's a pretty good drive if your system supports SATA CD/DVD drives. The PATA equivalent ends with an "H" but the newest models have a different naming scheme, e.g. iHAS322 for the SATA 22x model.
Old Posted: 09-11-2008
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xan K (New on Forum)
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sorry for the dumb question, but what speed should I use when doing quality scans with CD-DVD speed? 8X seems to show inconsistent results. 4x is pretty much fine but I don't know if it's wise to scan at this speed.

thanks.
Old Posted: 10-11-2008
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superhero (CD Freaks Member)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xan K View Post
sorry for the dumb question, but what speed should I use when doing quality scans with CD-DVD speed?
This post is off-topic. Next time search the forums first and if you don't find an answer start a new thread.

That said, the scanning speed usually recommended here is 4X.
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