detail information

Test machine:

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

Hardware:

⋅         Motherboard: Abit IC-7 MAX3 i875P
⋅         Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3,2GHz 800MHz FSB Prescott with Hyper Threading support.
⋅         RAM: 1Gb PC4300 DDR
⋅         GFX: Asus GeForce 6800
⋅         Sound: SB Audigy 2
⋅         Hard disks: 400Gb Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 S-ATA connected to the Intel i875P S-ATA controller.

System set-up:

The Lite-On SOHW-1673S was connected as secondary slave and identified itself as LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-1673S. DMA (Direct Memory Access) and autorun was enabled for all devices where it was possible.

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 Burning ROM version 6.6.0.8a
⋅         Ahead Nero CD/DVD Speed v3.75
⋅         Ahead Nero InfoTool v3.0
⋅         DVD-Identifier 3.6.2
⋅         K-Probe v2.4.2

Installation and supported features:

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

Our drive came shipped with firmware JS02, we updated the firmware to version JS04 and later on to JS05. The only drawbacks we could see are the inability to read and write DVD-RAM discs as well as missing Mt Rainier support along with a bit small buffer. A larger buffer would at least smooth the data transfer to the drive a bit on stressed systems. DVD-R DL support is promised with the next Lite-On drive, the SOHW-1693S.

Book type changing:

To see if the Lite-On SOHW-1673S 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. Lite-On should fix the identification problems so the drive name could be displayed.

Error scanning of written discs:

The Lite-On SOHW-1673S supports error reporting just like earlier drives from Lite-On. Here are two examples on 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.

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.

Included software:

Now it's time to look at the included software, and comment it if needed. Notice that we may not use the included software in our performance testing part of the review.

Power DVD 5:

The drive includes Power DVD 5 to play DVD and VCD movies. PowerDVD is among our favourites so Lite-On made a good choice including it.

Nero 6 OEM Suite:

The well-known Nero suite is also included and covers all tasks from creating the movie to writing it to the disc. This is one of our favourite programs.

Now that we have finished examining the drive and bundled programs - let us head on to the next page, which is reading performance test…