detail information

We at CDFreaks would like to present a mini-review of one of the portable DVD-Writers from Lite-On: the Lite-On SLW-831SX.

The Lite-On SLW-831SX supports 8x DVD±R, 4x DVD±RW and 2.4x DVD+R DL writing technology, allowing Double Layer discs of 8.5GB to be written.

Company Information:

Let us take a look at some of the company information found at the Lite-On 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 totalled NT$75.6B, growing 2% on a YoY basis.

If you are interested in reading more company information, please visit: Lite-On

Drive specifications:

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

Features:

• 24.37mm height and high efficient power saving modes for notebook computer use
• SMART-BURN(*1) avoiding Buffer Under Run error, Automatically adjusting writing strategy & running OPC to provide the best burning quality
• SMART-X(*2) function adjusts CD-DA / VCD / DVD data extraction to a fastest allowable speed according to both data request rate from host and disk quality
• Support Fixed Packet, Variable Packet, TAO, SAO, DAO, Raw Mode Burning & Over-Burn
• DVD read compliant: DVD single/dual layer (PTP, OTP), DVD-R(3.9G/4.7G), DVD-R multi-borders, DVD+R, DVD+R multi-sessions, DVD+R Double Layer, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW discs with diameter of 8 or 12 cm
• 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 discs of 8 or 12 cm
• Conforms 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 Volume2: High Speed, Part 3 CD-RW Volume 3: Ultra Speed.
• Portable design, using High Speed USB2.0 connection to ensure the best performance.

Specifications:

Write CD:
24x (3600KB/sec) maximum by P-CAV

ReWrite CD:
24x (3600KB/sec) maximum by P-CAV

Write DVD+R:
8x (10800KB/sec) maximum by ZCLV

ReWrite DVD+RW:   
4x (5400KB/sec) maximum by ZCLV

Write DVD-R:                        
8x (10800KB/sec) maximum by ZCLV

ReWrite DVD-RW:    
4x (5400KB/sec) maximum by ZCLV

DL Write DVD+R:     
2.4x (3240KB/sec) maximum by CLV (Optional)

Read:                         
CD Family 24x (3600KB/sec) maximum by CAV
DVD Family 8x (10800KB/sec) maximum by CAV

Access time:
CD Family 110ms
DVD Family 130ms

Buffer Size:
2MB

PC Required:
Pentium III 450MHz or faster CPU and 128MB or higher RAM are required, 650MB HDD available capacity; and 9GB free space for creating a DVD image file

Compatibility:
Windows 98/2000/ME/XP

MTBF(Life):
60000 Hours

Environment:
Operating 5C to 35C; Relative Humidity: 10% to 80% (non-condensing)
Non-Operating -40C to 65C; Relative Humidity: 10% to 90% (non-condensing)

Dimension :
138(W) x24.37(H) x 155(D) mm

Weight:
362.8g

*1 SMART-BURN : Smart Monitoring & Adapting Recording Technology for BURNing.
*2 SMART-X : Smart Monitoring & Adjusting Read-speed Technology for eXtraction.

What's inside the box?

In this section we will take a look at what the drive came shipped with and take a look at the drive and its technology.

Front

Back

Top

Bottom

Right Side

Left Side

Below you will see the contents of the retail pack:

• The external drive
• Power supply
• USB2.0 Cable
• CyberLink PowerDVD 6
• Nero OEM Suite CD:
  • DOS Driver
  • Nero Express 6.6
    • InCD 4
    • NeroVision Express 3
    • Nero BackItup
    • MPEG-2 SVCD/DVD Plug-In
  • DVD-Writer Manual
  • Acrobat Reader
• Safety Notice

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

The front features a loading slot, an eject button, and an LED (amber - for read and write - we prefer a different LED colour though for writing). The logos located on the front include, a DVD Alliance DVD+ReWritable logo, a DVD-R/RW Forum logo, and a CD-RW Ultra Speed logo.

Top

On top of the drive we found the Lite-On logo and the power LED (Blue).

Bottom

On the bottom of the drive we found two stickers, and we can read it was manufactured in China, February 2006.

On the back of the drive we can find the Mini-USB2.0 connector and the power connector. We miss a power-switch to physically turn the drive off when it is not in use.

Now, let us install the drive and check out the features on the next page…