detail information

Test machine:

For this review we will be using a computer with the following configuration:

Hardware:

• Motherboard: Asus A8V Deluxe
• Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (Venice) 1000 MHz HyperTransport
• RAM: 1 GB Corsair Kit PC3200 DDR
• GFX: ATI Radeon 9600 XT
• Sound: Onboard Realtek AC'97
• Hard disk: Seagate Barracuda ST3250823A 250 GB

System set-up:

The Lite-On EZ-DUB SHW-1635SU was connected to the USB2.0 interface and identified itself as LITE-ON DVDRW SHW-1635S. Autorun was enabled for all devices.

Software:

Windows XP Professional is installed on the computer along with Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. We will be using the following software in this review:

• Ahead Nero CD-DVD Speed v4.10
• Ahead Nero InfoTool v3.03
• KProbe v2.5.1

Installation:

We quickly installed the drive without any problems and here is a screenshot from Nero InfoTool:

Our drive came shipped with firmware YS0N, and was later on upgraded to YS0R (see below). The only drawbacks we could see are: The missing Mt. Rainier support along with the small buffer size.

Features and techniques:

To see if the Lite-On EZ-DUB SHW-1635SU supports Bitsetting we tried with Lite-On's official tool:

As we could see, it supports Bitsetting. The write now button is for directly changing the BookType on a DVD+RW disc. It is also possible to change and save the BookType wanted in the EEPROM. You could also use the Bitsetting feature in KProbe under the tools menu. Or you could use Nero CD-DVD Speed to change the Bitsetting:

Notice that changing the BookType in Nero CD-DVD speed will not be permanent, so you have to change it again when you restart your computer. Let us see if BookType changing actually works:

Yes it sure does, we could see that book type is listed as DVD-ROM.

Error scanning of written discs:

The Lite-On EZ-DUB SHW-1635SU supports error reporting just like earlier drives from Lite-On. Here are two examples of programs you may use for checking your written discs for errors.

KProbe is developed by a Lite-On employee, but it's not an official Lite-On program. This is what we use in our reviews. But you may also use Nero CD-DVD-speed:

Nero CD-Speed is just as good and also gives you an indication of the quality by giving a score. Higher score is better; a good result should at least be over 80 in quality score. Nero CD-DVD speed is included with newer Nero 6.x and 7.x versions or available as a separate download from www.cdspeed2000.com.

8X DVD+R DL writing speed:

The Lite-On EZ-DUB SHW-1635U uses Z-CLV, (Zone-Constant Linear Velocity) to write DVD+R DL at 8x. The average speed is 6.95x and total writing time is 17:02 minutes.

4x DVD-R DL writing speed:

The Lite-On EZ-DUB SHW-1635U uses Z-CLV, (Zone-Constant Linear Velocity) to write DVD-R DL at 4x. The average speed is 4.02x and total writing time is 27:36 minutes.