Your comments on the LG GCE 8320b

Computer Hardware
#1

I am about to buy my first cd-writer and have been reading alot about them lately. I am not a power user and my cd-writer will just have to burn the occasional software cd, data backups, and a few audio cds.

The one product that has caught my eye is the LG GCE 8320b. I have read the review on this site as well as from other sources and this drive seems to be a good buy for the price range I am looking at.

However, I have heard that its tray gets stuck sometimes and there are other mechanical problems with it. I have also heard that this writer’s lens gives trouble. I want to know if any of you’ll have faced such problems with this writer. Are there any other common problems with this product?

I want a drive that will last me a long time without causing problems. Is this LG product ideal or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks for your time.

#2

After some good months, I’ve had no problems whatsoever with mine, it’s been a superb all-around performer, and rock-solid.

Definitely recommended.

#3

thanks for the feedback. I think that I will go out and buy the LG tommorow. It was a toss up between the LG 32x and the Sony 32x writers. The LG has better features (8Mb buffer etc…) and does seem to be reliable enough…

#4

Personally, I’d have gone for a Lite-On bruner if I thought about it a bit more carefully, just seems more of a complete package than the LG. Not that it’s a bad drive, but the Lite-On really is an incredible drive considering the price

#5

Originally posted by Down&Out
… just seems more of a complete package than the LG. …

In what way is the Lite-on drive a more complete package? I still have not bought anything and I am open to suggestions…

#6

Just that generally the Liteons seem to be a better writer + reader, and with the speed control util it means that you can overclock them and not have the fussy media type problem that I have with the LG.

Considering the Liteon is generally cheaper as well it just makes more sense. Personally I think that CDRlabs overrated this drive

#7

thanks for the info.
I will look into the lite-on drive.

Another drive I am thinking about is the Sony 32/10/40. Is the LG better than that drive or are they more or less the same?

#8

But the Lite-On 32123S CANNOT be overclocked at all… Only the W model can… And most media works great at the LG… 32x@40 burning at 32x is still 40 seconds faster than most 32x writers and even faster than most 40x Z-CLV… Just don’t use bad media, even the average Gigastorage 24x works well @32x… 3:20 - > 80’ media full disc on any of the @32x media…

Also, the drive is built a lot more solid than the litey, is quieter and has the smoothest tray I’ve ever seen… And has about the same read speeds…

Media I’ve tested:

Princo 16/24x - > @32x
DST 16x - > @ 32x
Prodisc 24x - > @32x
Gigastorage 24x - > @32x
Kodak 24x - > @24x
Ritek 16x - > @24x
CMC 16/24x - > @24x (Yellow Sectors)
Sony/Sony 24x - > @24x (Yellow sectors)
Vanguard 16x - > @32x (A couple bad discs in the spindle, not the burner’s fault)

The Sony 32/10/40 is just a rebranded LTR-32123S on my understanding, same drive, different face…

#9

thanks for that info. I think that I will go for the LG. They have a service center close to me so if any problems arise, I will find it easy to get them sorted out. Although from what I have read, it is not a problematic drive.