Positive:

• Supports BD-R/RE (Single layer) read and write at 2x/2x
• Supports BD-R/RE (Double layer) reading and writing
• 4x BD-R writing will be supported in future firmware
• Supports DVD±R DL writing at 4x
• Supports DVD±R/CD-R/RW writing at 12x/32x/24x
• Overall very good write quality on DVD and CD media
• Bitsetting support for DVD+R/RW/+R DL media (booktype DVD-ROM)
• Disc quality scanning is partly supported
• Reads DVD±R/RW/±R DL at 12.5x/12.5x/8x
• Reads CD-R/-RW/CD-DA/CD-ROM at *35x/*34x/36x/*34x
• Reads 99 Minutes CD-Rs
• Virtually silent operation
• Serial-ATA interface
• Serial-ATA cable included
• TDK BD-RE Blu-ray Media included
• Very good retail package and Software solution
• Separate Blue/Green/Green operation LED for BD/DVD/CD

* based on a 74 minutes CD media

Negative:

• Does not support Mt. Rainier

Conclusion:

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

The main positive points: Belonging to the first generation of Blu-ray writers, the device seems to operate very well and also the write quality on the supported media types is very good.

The Lite-On LH-2B1S should be one of the first Blu-Ray drives that are equipped with a Serial-ATA interface.

The 12x writing speed on DVD±R media is also a feature that is most welcome.

The bitsetting support for DVD+R/RW/+R DL media (BookType DVD-ROM) is also a welcome inclusion and ensures good compatibility with i.e. standalone DVD players.

Another interesting point is that the drive will be upgradeable to support 4x BD-R writing in future firmware.

As a last point, we would like to mention the separate Blue/Green/Green operation LED for BD/DVD/CD media integrated on the Bezel is a very nice feature.

The main negative points: There is almost nothing negative to say about this drive, but if we should mention a point it would be the lack of writing the Mt. Rainer format.

To sum it all up, this is what we would say: "The Lite-On LH-2B1S is overall a very good choice of a CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive".

By using our price grabber feature cdfreaks.pricegrabber we did not find any offers, but at NewEgg.com the drive is listed at 599 USD and at geizhals the drive is listed at 712 EUR (November 2006).

Based on our results and experiences with the Lite-On LH-2B1S we would like to give it our SAFE BUY award.

You may discuss/comment this article below or in this forum thread.

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Introduction