detail information

Introduction:

Thanks to Lite-On BV for sending the Lite-On SHW-1635S our way. It's a fully featured 16x DVD+/-R DVD-writer that also offers DVD-R Dual layer and DVD+R Double layer writing, so let us see how it performs compared to the competition.

Company Information:

Let us take a look at some of the company information found at the Liteon Website:

Lite-On Technology Corporation's vision is to become a world-class excellent company. The company will accomplish this not only through leading global R&D and manufacturing technologies, but also through the quality and distinctiveness of its products.

To reach these levels of excellence and become the leading navigator in 3C convergence, Lite-On plans to generate between five and six billion US dollars in annual revenue while establishing itself as a global market-leader by mastering all of its product-line industries. The company's ability to generate profits will guide the industrial circles in which it competes. While accomplishing these goals, corporate management will continue its policies of absolute financial transparency, independence, and impartiality.

The company's pursuit of excellence does not end there. To create better lives for people, Lite-On will also continue to develop advanced and integrated digital products while furnishing customers with innovative values that lead to true, beneficial relationships. Lite-On wants to be the best strategic partner for each of its customers.

Led by a professional team with promise and lofty ethics, Lite-On will also strive to be an excellent corporation with peak efficiency. The company will provide shareholders and investors with an appealing return-on-investment. Additionally, Lite-On will supply employees with an optimum work environment that helps them learn new skills and grow professionally for the future. Lite-On seeks to become one of the best corporations that people in greater China can choose for a career.

Facts & Figures:

• Lite-On Technology reported its global consolidated June revenue of NT$13.7B, increasing 4% on a YoY basis.
• Accumulated revenue in 2005 totaled NT$75.6B, growing 2% on a YoY basis.

If you are interested in reading more company information, please visit: Liteon

Drive specifications:

These are the specifications of this drive, found at the Lite-On webpage:

SHW - 1635S 16x 8x / 16x 6x / 8x 4x / 16x + 48x 24x 48x Half-Height DVD-Dual

• ATAPI / E-IDE Half-Height internal DVD+R / DVD+RW / DVD-R / DVD-RW / DVD+R9 / DVD-R9 / DVD-ROM / CD-R / CD-RW / CD-ROM combination drive
• Support Double Layer DVD +/- R9 Recording Function
• SMART-BURN avoiding Buffer Under Run Error, Automatically adjusting writing strategy & running OPC to provide the best burning quality
• SMART-X function adjusts CD-DA / VCD / DVD data extraction to a fastest allowable speed according to both data request rate from host and disk quality
• VAS® system reduce vibration and noise during recording and reading
• Support Fixed Packet, Variable Packet, TAO, SAO, DAO, Raw Mode Burning & Over-Burn
• DVD read compliant : DVD single/dual layer ( PTP / OTP ), DVD-R ( 3.9 GB / 4.7 GB ), DVD-R multi-borders, DVD+R, DVD+R multi-sessions, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW
• CD read compliant : CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM / XA, Photo-CD, Multi-session, Karaoke-CD, Video-CD, CD-I FMV, CD Extra, CD Plus, CD-R, and CD-RW
• Supprot both 8 cm and 12 cm disc of CD and DVD family
• Conform to Orange Book : Part 2 CD-R Volume 1, Part 2 CD-R Volume 2 Multi Speed, Part 3 CD-RW Volume 1 ( 1x, 2x, and 4x ), Part 3 CD-RW Volume 2 : High Speed, Part 3 CD-RW Volume 3 : Ultra Speed
• Supported transfer mode: PIO mode 4, DMA mode 2 and Ultra DMA mode 4

 It can't fully match the DVD-R DL and CD-RW writing speeds of some other drives, but beside this it seems to be pretty good. But let us see if the real world performance is as good as the specifications states.

What's inside the box?

The drive we received was a retail drive that came in a nice looking box:

No big changes, the main features are clearly shown, and more importantly; it's clear that this drive ships with an additional bezel! That's nice.

The package contents seems to be pretty good too, but let us list everything we got:

⋅        The drive itself
⋅        Extra black front bezel with tool to manually eject the tray, useful when changing bezel.
⋅        Power DVD 5 software CD.
⋅        Nero Express 6.6 software CD.
⋅        4 screws
⋅        Audio cable
⋅        Quick install guide
⋅        Bezel change guide
⋅        Safety notice paper

All in all very good, the extra bezel does add some extra value to many people, but for a perfect bundle, we would like to see some more printed documentation as well as some empty discs.

Now it's time to take a look at the drive itself:

Well, here we do see a difference compared to earlier Lite-On drives; the logos on the tray are slightly changed, but more important; the volume knob and headphone connector is removed. The LED is also moved closer to the middle of the drive.

Our sample was produced in China and has a production date of July 2005.

But on the back, there are no changes; from the left: undocumented pins probably used for calibrating/testing the drive at the factory; digital audio connector; analogue audio connector; pins and jumper to set the drive to cable select, slave or master; IDE connector and finally the power connector.

Now, let us connect the drive and check out the features and program bundle of this drive on the next page…