Positive:

• Excellent write quality on CD-R media at 24x

• Has LightScribe support

• Writes DVD±R media at 8x with Good to Excellent quality

• Doesn't need an external power source

• Very Quiet drive operation

• Sleek looks and compact design

• Writes DVD±R DL media at 6x and 4x with very good quality

• Supports 5x writing on DVD-RAM

• Full featured Software Bundle from CyberLink

• Relatively inexpensive for an external DVD writer

Negative:

• Does not keep Bitsetting of DVD+R and DVD+R DL media after rebooting.

• Drive failed to write DVD-RAM media with verification on

• Would only burn our Verbatim CD-R media at 16x

Conclusion:

 Let us summarize the most important positive and negative points below:

The LG GSA-E50L's writes CD and DVD media with good to Excellent quality; adding the ability to hook the drive up to virtually and machine with a USB port and use instantly make this drive a welcome addition for anyone on the go.

Writing of DVD-R and DVD+R media with the LG GSA-E50L at 8x with excellent writing quality, writing of CD-R/RW media at 24x with good to excellent quality and writing DVD±R DL media at 6x with very good quality.

The drive supports an USB 2.0 interface for quick and easy installation (cable included in the box) and with a software bundle from CyberLink make writing and authoring DVD and CD media a breeze.

We have only found a few negatives with this drive, Bitsetting is still not being saved after rebooting though programs like ImgBurn and Nero will hold the settings once set. The Verbatim CD-R media would only write at 16x though the quality was very good. Our Maxell DVD-RAM disc would not finish writing with verification on.

To sum it all up, this is what we would say: “The LG GSA-E50L is a very good external CD and DVD writer and reader, having the USB interface it gives you the ability to use the drive anywhere without the need for an external power source."

We found the retail version of LG GSA-E50L is listed at cheapest price of $109.99 at newegg.com (October 2008).

Thanks to:

Introduction