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We have already looked at a couple of highly
anticipated 16x DVD writers and were impressed with their feature set and
performance. Lite-On Corporation, a respected name in optical storage
drives, has now joined in with the release of their new SOHW-1633S.
Featuring 16x DVD+R writing and support for double layer media, this drive
supersedes their already highly popular SOHW-832S thanks to the higher
read/write support. Unlike a majority of other drives on the market,
Lite-On drives usually offer higher media compatibility. Today, we have
the pleasure of taking it for a spin and see just what improvements, if any,
have been made.
Packaging & Contents
|
**click to enlarge** |
**click to enlarge** |
Our sample came in its retail packaging which
includes a manual, audio cable, Nero 6 burning software, a blank 4x DVD+R disc
and the excellent PowerDVD playback software. For testing purposes
only, Lite-On was quite generous and sent us some double layer discs as will
as some 16x rated DVD+R evaluation discs. This should allow us to
thoroughly and properly test its capabilities.
The Drive
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**click to enlarge** |
**click to enlarge** |
The front and back of the drive look identical
to the SOHW-832s we reviewed a while back. There is one eject/load
button, one status LED, a volume knob and a headphone jack.
**click to enlarge**
The new SOHW-1633S also features the short depth
design seen on their 8x and 12x drives. They are significantly shorter
than most other drives on the market.
**click to enlarge**
Our sample drive had a manufacture date of
August 2004.
Specifications
| DVD Family : |
Write |
DVD+R |
16x ( 21600
KB/sec ) maximum by CAV |
| |
|
DVD-R |
8x ( 10800
KB/sec ) maximum by Z-CLV |
| |
|
DVD+R9 |
2.4x (3240
KB/sec ) by CLV |
| |
ReWrite |
DVD+RW |
4x ( 5400
KB/sec ) by CLV |
| |
|
DVD-RW |
4x ( 5400
KB/sec ) by CLV |
| |
Read |
16x ( 21600 KB/sec ) maximum by CAV |
| |
Access time |
160 ms |
| CD Family : |
Write |
CD-R |
48x ( 7200
KB/sec ) maximum by CAV |
| |
ReWrite |
CD-RW |
24x ( 3600
KB/sec ) maximum by Z-CLV in UltraSpeed disc |
| |
Read |
48x ( 7200 KB/sec ) maximum by CAV |
| |
Access time |
160 ms |
| Buffer Size : |
2
MB |
| PC Required : |
Pentium III 450 MHz or faster CPU and 128 MB or higher RAM are required |
| |
650 MB HDD available capacity; and 5 GB free space for creating a DVD
image file |
| Compatibility
: |
Windows 98 / NT 4.0 / ME / 2000 / XP |
| MTBF ( Life )
: |
70,000 Hours |
| S/N Ration : |
>
75 dB |
| Environment : |
Operating |
5C
to 45C; Relative Humidity : 15% to 80% |
| |
Non-Operating |
-40C to 60C; Relative Humidity : 15% to 95% |
| Dimension : |
145.0 ( W ) x 41.3 ( H ) x 170.0 ( D ) mm |
| Weight : |
<
0.9 Kg |
| Voltage
Requirements : |
+5V +/-5% and less than 100 mVp-p ripple voltage |
| |
+12V +/-5% and less than 200 mVp-p ripple voltage |
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