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Samsung SH-S203B DVD Burner Review
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Samsung SH-S203B detail information

Posted by Wendy Collins
Posted on 21/09/07 21:15
Number of views 86224
Manufacturer Samsung
Product Samsung SH-S203B
Description 20x DVD burner with SATA interface and the worlds first 16x DL burner.
Awards Editor's Choice Award
Menu
 Conclusion
 Introduction
 Features
 Reading performance
 CD-R/RW Writing performance
 DVD+R/RW Writing performance
 DVD-R/RW Writing performance
 DVD+R DL/-R DL Writing performance
 DVD-RAM Read and write performance
 Advanced tests
Text Size  Text Size
DVD R/RW Writing performance

 

DVD-R media compatibility and write quality:

In these tests we will be using a Lite-On LH-20A1P with firmware KL05 along with K-Probe to measure the disc quality. We will also be using the Optiarc AD-7173A with firmware 1-O3 along with CD-Speed for our read-back tests.

 

Brand:

Taiyo Yuden unbranded – Thanks to SVP (UK) for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

Taiyo Yuden

Code:

TYG03 (made in Japan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

20x (CAV)

Write Time:

4m:38s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

4.47

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.02

The result is very good and the media was burned at higher than its rated speed.

Brand:

Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for providing this media.

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Code:

MCC 03RG20 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

18x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:05s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

5.89

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.02

Again the result is good and the media was burned faster than its rated speed.

Brand:

Ricoh – Thanks to Ricoh Europe for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

CMC Magnetics

Code:

CMC MAG AM3 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

18x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:08s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

3.92

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.05

PI errors are slightly elevated at the end of the disc but are well within specification. The disc was also burned at faster than its rated speed and the result is good.

Brand:

TDK

Manufacturer:

TDK

Code:

TTH02 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:41s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

11.91

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.03

PI errors are slightly elevated towards the end of the disc but are well within specification, the result is good.

Brand:

BenQ – Thanks to Daxon (Taiwan) for sending us this media

Manufacturer:

Daxon Inc.

Code:

DAXON 016S (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:40s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

5.89

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.05

There is a single PIF spike, but our read-back test is perfect. The result is good.

Brand:

Pleomax – Thanks to Pleomax (NL)
for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

Opto Disc

Code:

OPTODISCR016 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:42s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

4.78

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.04

The result is good.

Brand:

Taiyo Yuden unbranded – Thanks to SVP (UK) for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

Taiyo Yuden

Code:

TYG02 (made in Japan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

12x (CAV)

Write Time:

7m:26s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

4.23

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.01

The result is excellent considering the disc was burned at higher than its rated speed.

 

Brand:

Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for sending us this media

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Code:

MCC02RG20 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

12x (CAV)

Write Time:

7m:25s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

2.93

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.01

The result is excellent considering the disc was written faster than its rated speed.

Brand:

Maxell – Thanks to SVP for sending us this media

Manufacturer:

RiTek

Code:

Ritek F1 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:42s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

21.57

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.04

PI errors are fairly high throughout the disc but are well within specification. PIF errors are reasonably low and we have a perfect read-back test. The result is good.

DVD-RW media compatibility and write quality:

For this test we used the same testing procedures as in our DVD-R tests.

Brand:

Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Code:

MKM01RW6X01 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-RW

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

6x

Write Speed:

6x (Z-CLV)

Write Time:

10m:08s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

20.17

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.02

The result is good.

Brand:

Traxdata - Thanks to Conrexx Europe for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

RITEK

Code:

RITEK W06 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-RW

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

6x

Write Speed:

6x (CLV)

Write Time:

10m:07s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

2.92

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.07

The result is good.

Summary:

The Samsung SH-S203B has written our DVD-R media with excellent/good quality and wrote selected media at faster than its rated speed. The Samsung SH-S203B also recorded the fastest burn times for DVD-R we have ever seen in the CD Freaks review labs.

Let’s head on to the next page where we will test DVD R DL writing performance and quality……

DVD+R/RW Writing performance
DVD+R DL/-R DL Writing performance
Want to submit your own review? Click here
Posted by Ken429 on Wednesday 09 January 2008 12:42
I bought one based on the article. I have a Pioneer DVR 112D, a Pioneer DVR 110D, A Samsung SH S183L and a Samsung SH-S203B. The two Pioneer's read/rip a pressed DL DVD in 14:30 minutes the Samsung's take 22 minutes to read/rip the same DVD!! I'm using the latest free version of DVDFab Decrypter. What am I missing or what program should I be using to get the Samsung's to rip a a reasonable speed?
Posted by Lawhead (guest) on Thursday 07 February 2008 05:16
I'm having some DL burning problems with this drive. At this point, I'm not sure if it is drive, version of Nero or the DL disks.

CD-R's or DVD-R's burn okay.

No matter what I try, I cannot burn a complete DL disks. Nero randomly generates "Write Error"s.

Here's my system, drive and media details:
Windows Vista Business (Build 6000) (pre-SP1)
Nero Version: 8.0.3.0
Recorder: Version: SB03 - HA 1 TA 0 - 8.0.3.0
Recorder: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S203B, Media type: DVD+R9 Double Layer Disc Manufacturer ID: RITEK, Media Type ID: S04, Product revision number: 66
Disc Application Code: 0, Extended Information Indicators: 3

The disks are branded Memorex 8x DVD+R DL but it appears they were made by RITEK.
Posted by Hristo (guest) on Tuesday 12 February 2008 11:48
Lawhead, it's most likely because of the disc and not the drive. Ritek DL disks are unreliable. You'd better try Verbatim.
Posted by herman (guest) on Friday 07 March 2008 13:23
i too have a problem burning dl disks with this drive. It burned one successfully now all i get is errors when it initializes.
Posted by should i get one or not? (guest) on Sunday 20 April 2008 03:26
Should i buy it? :r :g :B
Posted by dunk01 on Thursday 01 May 2008 20:07
Is there a samsung external equivalent to the SH-S203B ?
Posted by thedamager on Tuesday 06 May 2008 03:27
@dunk01
SH-S203N, SH-S203P, with P being a replacement for N, no big difference.
Posted by Bob (guest) on Friday 16 May 2008 04:01
Re Samsung SH-S203B:
Anyone know where I can buy the retail version? All I see on the net is the OPEM version.
Thanks for your assistance :)
Posted by Al (guest) on Friday 16 May 2008 19:39
what's the differens between SH-203B , SH-203S , SH-203P , SH-203D, SH-203N ? :o
Posted by Bob (guest) on Saturday 17 May 2008 02:49
Anyone know where I can purchase the RETAIL version of this Samsung SATA DVD/CD burner (SH-S203B)? I'm engaged in a new build and my mobo (DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS) has lots of capabilities for SATA drives but looks like only one connection for an EIDE drive.
Thanks :)
Posted by Joe R on Sunday 18 May 2008 16:02
Just got mine yesterday. It rips big files at 12x and writes 16x blanks at 20 x :p
I've not tried dl dvd's yet.

Joe
This message was edited at: 18-05-2008 16:03
Posted by jimboh1979 on Tuesday 27 May 2008 19:58
want one just for single layer burning its the fastest ive seen
Posted by desastre2010 (guest) on Wednesday 02 July 2008 19:14
I just wanna know... is it lightscribe compatible???
Posted by mightymouse on Thursday 03 July 2008 01:49
I have had a SH-S203B,firmware SB03 since Feb. Worked great ,burning almost any media. Today I tried to burn a 133meg file to a cd-r, no go. Tried it with a DVD-R, no go. If I look in MY COMPUTER it shows the drive as a DVD-RAM drive. As soon as I load a blank DVD or CD, it changes to CD-ROM. I have tried rebooting, uninstalling and reinstalling the drive, let windows detect, same thing. I can still view files on CD's or DVD's, and watch DVD movies, but I can't get it to burn now. I have tried burning just using win xp, and it won't work.
Anyone have any Ideas?
Posted by mightymouse on Thursday 03 July 2008 01:51
I have had a SH-S203B,firmware SB03 since Feb. Worked great ,burning almost any media. Today I tried to burn a 133meg file to a cd-r, no go. Tried it with a DVD-R, no go. If I look in MY COMPUTER it shows the drive as a DVD-RAM drive. As soon as I load a blank DVD or CD, it changes to CD-ROM. I have tried rebooting, uninstalling and reinstalling the drive, let windows detect, same thing. I can still view files on CD's or DVD's, and watch DVD movies, but I can't get it to burn now. I have tried burning just using win xp, and it won't work.
Anyone have any Ideas?
Sorry for the dbl post. dunno why it did that
This message was edited at: 03-07-2008 01:59
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