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Appeared on: Thursday, December 21, 2006
LITE-ON BD B LH-2B1S Blu-Ray Drive


1. Introduction

LiteOn recently released its first Blu-ray drive, the LH-2B1S. Leveraging the support and technology of the Philips / BenQ joint venture, the Taiwanese company released the drive in a market which currently appears to be considering the Blu-Ray technology as "premium", and more suited towards professional users.

LiteOn's BD burner differs from the rest of BD drives appearing on the market by the fact that it comes with a S-ATA interface, making it ideal for the majority of the latest motherboards and offering easier connection to the PC system. Of course, the main strengths of the drive remain its specifications, which include support for all CD/DVD and Blu-Ray formats.

Writing speeds for the LiteOn BD drive are set at 12X for DVD±R, 4X for DVD±R DL and 32X for CD-R. The drive does not support the DVD-RAM format; a feature that found in the other first generation LG and Panasonic-based Blu-Ray drives (Plextor, Sony). However, it is the fastest when it comes to writing speeds for the "traditional" CD and DVD formats. But the most important thing is the 2X writing and reading speed for single layer BD-R and BD-RE media formats.

What is very interesting is the fact that the drive does not support reading or writing of dual-layer Blu-Ray discs. Most of our readers would expect this feature, especially considering that the corresponding drive from BenQ (BW1000), which practically shares the same technology, is expected to offer BD-R DL burning (1X) through a firmware upgrade. LiteOn has hinted that there will be no such a possibility with its LH-281S drive, claiming that it is a limitation of the current hardware.

At a glance, the basic features of the drive include:

In order to play HD content titles, a compatible HDCP monitor or HDMI TV set is required. While a number of graphics cards claim to be HD compatible, it is not always the case and there are still some issues involved. Certainly, the latest graphics drivers need to be downloaded from nVidia and ATI. Finally, region control has been implemented, similar to that used with DVD titles, so the correct region must be set. In addition, HDCP-capable play-back software is also required.

 

 

Bundled in the retail package, LiteOn offers a complete software suite, including the following:

Cyberlink BD Solution Power DVD Playback BD/DVD
PowerProducer Video Editing and Authoring
Power2Go Back up your files, create audio CDs and burn CDs/DVDs/Blu-ray Discs(BD), drag and drop operation.
PowerBackup PC backup solution. It analyzes, sorts, and archives files onto a hard drive, disc, or removable storage media. Supports CD/DVD burners.
InstantBurn Burning
Cyberlink BD/HD Advisor Checks whether the your PC configuration is suitable for Blu-Ray playback
Quick User's guide
SATA data cable
1 TDK BD-RE blank disc
Mounting screws

What's interesting in the drive's front panel, is the activity LED, which indicates the drive's operating status. When the LED is on, the disc is loaded and ready; when blinking, the drive is reading / writing / rewriting or the disc is loading. The LED lights up blue, red and green when a BD, DVD or CD respectively, is loaded.

A typical rear view, for a SATA optical disc drive. The 15-pin connector for DC power input (Serial ATA Power Connector) and the 7-pin connector for Serial ATA data interface (Serial ATA Data Connector) are present, as you can see in the image below.

Our test sample was manufactured in October 2006 in China.

The drive is built around the Philips Nexperia PNX7866EL chipset, an all in one chipset supporting all CD and DVD media formats, except for HD-DVD. It also has an Arima Optical Pick-up Unit (OPU) and a Philips DSP chip.

Click for High Resolution Image

Click for High Resolution Image

Installation

The LiteOn LH-2B1S was installed as a typical SATA drive and was recognized as "LITE-ON BD B LH-2B1S".


2. CD - DVD Reading

For our CD transfer rate tests, we used the Nero CD-Speed utility and a set of Pressed CDs. The drive can read CD media at a maximum speed of 32X. For reference, we present a comparison of the LiteOn Blu-Ray drive with the LG GBW-H10N, Sony BWU-100A and Plextor PX-B900A drives.

Pressed CD

Press for Larger Picture

With its 40X maximum reading speed for CD-R/ROM, the LG drive is fastest in this task.

US RW CD

The following CD Speed graph shows the reading performance with US-RW media. For all the CDSpeed graphs, you can click on the image to see the full CDspeed snapshot.

Press for Larger Picture

- AudioCD

In the CD Speed Advanced DAE quality test, the drive's average speed was 24.70X with a quality score of 100.

A typical DAE task with an 80min non-protected Audio CD produced a 26.15X average ripping speed.

EAC's test for the drive's CD-ROM capabilities indicate that the drive does not support reporting C2 error information:


- 90/99 mins Audio disc

The 90min audio CD reading returned an error, as you can see in the screenshot above. On the other hand, the 99min audio CD was read, although the reading speed dropped sharply after the 92min mark:

In order to make certain of the drive's capabilities with the 99 min CD, we ripped the audio tracks from the disc onto the hard disc. Playing the last tracks produced interruptions and noise, indicating that the drive did correctly rip the full 99min contents of the disc.

- DVD Format

Now let's have a look at how the drive performs with DVD media. This time, a set of SL and DL DVD media was used. The drive is capable of reading at 12X maximum speed for single layer and at 8X for dual layer media.

DVD-ROM SL media -

PTP DVD-ROM -

The two layers of a PTP DVD-ROM disc are read sequentially with the drive starting reading from the inner part of the disc, which is the beginning of each layer, progressing towards its outer range.

OTP DVD-ROM -

The first layer of an OTP dual layer DVD-ROM is read exactly the same way as the first layer of the PTP disc we tested previously. The difference here is the reading strategy of the second layer of the disc. The beginning of the second layer is located in the outer part of the disc, so the drive starts reading from the outer tracks and progresses towards the inner part of the disc.

- DVD-R /-RW

A 12X CAV reading strategy for DVD-R and DVD-RW media:

- DVD+R /+RW

- DVD+R DL

-DVD-R DL

- DVD Ripping speed

Ripping a DVD-Video title to the hard disc is fastest for the LiteOn drive.

Average - 7.527 KB/S (5.4x)
Maximum - 10,375 KB/s (7.5x)


3. CD Error Correction

In the following tests, we check the drive's behavior when reading scratched / defective audio discs. The test discs used were the ABEX series from ALMEDIO.

- ABEX TCD-721R

For this test we could not perform the usual ripping task through the EAC software suite, since the CD ripping task would require some hours, and it would most probably not finish at all. The LiteOn LH-2B1S slowed down reading at 0.2X as soon as it reached the audio tracks that were placed in the "scratched" areas of the disc. Such a behavior could turn out to be of a profit for the end-users, since the drive would slow down reading in order to correctly read/rip their damaged disc. In our case, the drive read the contents of the demanding ABEX TCD-721R audio CD, as you can see in the corresponding CDSpeed test:

- ABEX TCD-726

Errors total Num: 0
Errors (Loudness) dB(A) Num: 0 Avg: -174.0 dB(A) Max: -174.0 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples Num: 0 Avg: 0 Samples Max: 0 Samples
Skips Samples Num: 0 Avg: 0 Samples Max: 0 Samples
Total Test Result 100.0 points (out of 100.0 maximum)

On the other hand, the drive ripped the ABEX TCD-726 test disc accurately. A perfect score for the LiteOn drive, which seems to be ready to handle the specific disc defects, which are artificial black dots and fingerprints.

- CD-Check Audio Test Disc

The CD-Check Test Disc is a very useful tool for evaluating the Sound Reproduction / Error correction capabilities of a CD player. The disc offers a signal combination with disc error patterns to rate the drive's abilities to read music and reproduce it completely. Five tracks on the disc contain a sequence of progressively more difficult tests. These tracks are referred to as Check Level-1 through Check Level-5.

The tracks are reproduced through a software multimedia player (e.g. Windows Media Player). Each level is considered as passed, if the tone is smooth, continuous without interruptions, skipping or looping. The higher the Check Level passed, the more reliable the sound reproduction of the tested drive.

Error Level
1
2
3
4
5
Plextor BD-R PX-B900A
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
0/5

The drive achieved flawless reading with the first 4 tracks. Playing the fifth track gave back audible sound interruptions and clicks.

- Summary

Overall, the drive appears to have good CD Error correction capabilities.


4. DVD Error Correction

In the following tests, we examined the DVD reading capabilities of the drive with scratched / defective DVD media. For the tests, we used CDVD Benchmark and Nero CDSpeed. The reference test media comes from ALMEDIO.

- Single Layer media

ABEX TDR-821

This is a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM with a 4.7GB capacity, and its surface has an artificial scratch of dimensions varying from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.

The following transfer rate picture comes from the CDVD Benchmark v1.21 transfer rate test.

Respectable reading with no read errors from the LiteOn drive.

ABEX TDR-825

This is also a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM of 4.7GB capacity. The data structure of the disc is exactly the same as that of the TDR-821, with the difference that there are no scratches on it but instead, defective areas of dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 mm.

There are also fingerprints sized between 65 and 75 micrometers.

No issues for the LiteOn LH-2B1S drive, continuing its good performance:

- Dual Layer media

ABEX TDR-841

This is an 8.5GB dual layer, single sided DVD-ROM disc with artificial scratches of dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 3.0mm, on both layers.

ABEX TDR-845

The disc is a single sided, dual layer DVD-ROM disc with a capacity of 8.5GB. The only difference between the TDR-845 and the TDR-841 is that the first includes defective areas and fingerprints.

The dimensions of the defective areas range from 0.5 to 1.1 mm and the fingerprints are sized from 65 to 75 micrometers.

ABEX TDV-541

The TDV-541 is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc, with a capacity of 8.5GB.The disc is based upon the TDV-540 series which is designed for inspection and adjustment of DVD-VIDEO players. The disc checks the layer switch operation from layer 0 to layer 1 and also includes test pictures and test signals for DVD sound files.

The current TDV-541 also checks the error correcting capabilities of the drive and includes scratches from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.

There were no errors and the drive read the disc flawlessly at 8X CAV.

ABEX TDV-545

The TDV-545 disc is based on the TDV-540 series. It is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc with a capacity of 8.5GB.

The TDV-545 includes artificial black dots on the data surface, sized from 0.4 to 1.0 mm. It also has 65 - 75 micrometer fingerprints.

- Summary

Overall, excellent error correction mechanism with DVD media.


5. TDK CDR

As a side-note, the LiteOn LH-2B1S supports 32X P-CAV maximum burning speed, using a power calibration function that runs in real-time, during the actual burning process.

For this test, each CD-R disc was burned to its maximum capacity and at its maximum speed. Then the same disc is read with the CDSpeed software, and the disc was scanned for digital errors (BLER, C1 and C2) with our system provided by Clover Systems. To simplify the presentation, we present the BLER, E31 and E32 error rates for each disc, which unveil the most serious errors on each disc.

Disc Info

CDspeed provides information about the inserted media as well as the maximum supported burning speed. For more details, you can click on the images.

Writing strategy - 31.68X Average
Writing time - 4:25 min

Reading strategy - 27.38X Average


Writing Quality - Clover Systems

A good overall writing quality, with low E31 and zero E32 (uncorrectable) errors. The E12 flag is out of limits, but these kinds of errors are correctable.

- About Clover Systems

The Clover Systems CDX Compact Disc Analyzer is a tool to quantitatively measure the quality of a CD. It will analyze CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I, CD-R, Photo-CD, Enhanced CD and CD-RW discs at 4X, 8X, 24X, 32X or 40X speed. It effectively measures disc quality by examining the quantity and severity of CIRC errors generated during playback. It also provides the capability to measure signal parameters related to pit geometry, such as asymmetry and reflectivity. Together, all these bits of information provide a thorough analysis of disc quality. The Clover Systems Analyzers can also perform various format-checking tests on data discs, and do bit-for-bit data comparison on all types of CDs. All tests are carried out at the speed of 4X.

CIRC error correction uses two principles to detect and correct errors. The first is redundancy (extra information is added, which gives an extra chance to read the disc), and the second is interleaving (data is distributed over a relatively large physical area). The CIRC error correction used in CD players uses two stages of error correction, the well known C1 and C2, with de-interleaving of the data between the stages.

The error type E11 means one bad symbol was corrected in the C1 stage. E21means two bad symbols were corrected in the C1 stage. E31 means that there were three or more bad symbols at the C1 stage. This block is uncorrectable at the C1 stage, and is passed to the C2 stage. Respectively, E12 means one bad symbol was corrected in the C2 stage and E22 means two bad symbols were corrected in the C2 stage. E32 means that there were three or more bad symbols in one block at the C2 stage, and therefore this error is not correctable.

BLER (Block Error Rate) is defined as the number of data blocks per second that contain detectable errors, at the input of the C1 decoder. Since this is the most general measurement of the quality of a disc, you will find BLER graphs for all media tested below. If you click on the images you can see a more detailed table, indicating error levels. The Red Book specification (IEC 908) calls for a maximum BLER of 220 per second averaged over ten seconds. Discs with higher BLER are likely to produce uncorrectable errors. Al low BLER shows that the system as a whole is performing well, and the pit geometry is good. However, BLER only tells us how many errors were generated per second, and it does not tell us anything about the severity of those errors.


6. MEMOREX CDR

Disc Info

Writing strategy - 23.96X Average
Writing time - 4:15 min

Reading strategy - 27.48X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

This is decent quality, considering that they are not any uncorrectable errors. However, some error flags are just below the limit, so this disc could be considered to be more "susceptible" to errors under archival conditions.


7. Ritek CDR

Disc info

Writing strategy - 23.98X Average)
Writing time - 4:21 mins

Reading strategy - 27.28X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

A very good burn with overall low error rates.


8. TY CDR

Disc Info

Writing strategy - 23.86X Average
Writing time - 4:17 mins

Reading strategy 27.27X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

Nearly perfect writing quality with the Taiyo Yuden CD-R disc.


9. Verbatim CDR

Disc Info

Writing strategy - 24.00X Average)
Writing time - 4:16 mins

Reading strategy 27.37X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

A good result for the Verbatim CD-R disc, although some correctable error rates exceed the limits.


10. Daxon CDR

Disc Info

Writing strategy - Write error

The drive could not complete the writing test with the Daxon CD-R disc.


11. MEMOREX BDR

Starting from this page, we present the burning and reading results of the LiteOn LH-2B1S drive with various BD-R and BD-RE media. Each disc was burned to its full capacity and at the maximum allowed speed, determined by the drive.

The LiteOn drive failed to recognize the TDK dual-layer Blu-Ray disc that we tried.

Media Info -

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Writing - 2X (1.93X average) in 46:57

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Reading - 2X (1.94X average)

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12. TDK BDR

Media Info -

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Writing - 2X (1.94X average) in 46:37 mins

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Reading - 2X (1.94X average)

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13. Verbatim BDR

Media Info -

Writing - 2X (1.94X average) in 46:40 mins

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Reading - 2X (1.99X average)

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14. TDK BDRE

Media Info -

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Writing - 2X (1.95X) in 46:25 mins

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Reading - 2X (1.99X average)

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15. Verbatim BDRE

Media Info -

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Writing - 2X (1.95X average) in 46:24 mins

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Reading - 2X (1.95X average)

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16. SONY BDRE

Media Info -

Writing - 2X (1.96X average) in 46:19 mins

Reading - 2X (1.94X average)


17. DaTARIUS DVD Analyzer R 2x

The DaTARIUS DVD Analyzer R 2x

The DaTARIUS DVD Analyzer R 2x is one of the cornerstones in DVD quality control equipment, and is truly unique in the industry. It allows checking of replicated DVDs with single and dual layer structure (DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-14, DVD-18) and written DVD recordable, at 1X and 2X speed. It is based on the Pulstec Reference Pickup and Drive, developed in close co-operation with Pulstec and according to the standards of the DVD Forum.

In short, the device's features include:

An explanation of the various parameters the DaTARIUS DVD Analyzer R 2x offers is available here. At the same page, you can read more details about the error signals and a brief analysis the possible meaning of its parameter in the overall quality of each burn.

In the following pages, we present the writing quality measurements of various DVD recordable and rewritable media, burned with the LiteOn LH-2B1S.


18. BeAll000 P80 DVD+R

We start our DVD writing quality measurements with DVD+R media. A variety of different MIDs were selected and were burned at the maximum allowed speed. In each of the following pages you can find detailed information about each disc, the burning and reading procedure as well as the related signal measurements that construct the overall quality picture of each disc.

You can always navigate across the different MIDs of this test, using the page navigation drop down menu.

Media Info -

Click For larger Image

Writing - 4X (3.87X average) in 16:22

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The disc was recognized as 8x-compatible and CDspeed allowed us to select the 8X burning speed. However, the drive "decided" that the appropriate writing strategy was 4X CLV.

Reading - 12X (9.06X average)

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The drive dropped the reading speed in the outer area of the disc, indicating problem data had been burned at this region.

DaTARIUS Scans -

The measurements are summarized in the below table. You can see the limits for each signal, the average and maximum value as it was reported by the DaTARIUS equipment and the values at three specific positions on the disc (radius 25.0mm, 40.0mm and 55.0 mm)

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The disc produced one POF error near the 56mm radius.


19. CMC MAG E01 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X in 9:17 mins

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Reading - Read error

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The disc was not readable.


20. MAXELL 003 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing - 12X (8.39X average) in 7:12 mins

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Reading - 8X (4.45X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

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A very good burn at 12X, with a marginally increased JC value and a very low PiSum8 and POF error rate.


21. MCC 003 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.33X average) in 8:27 mins

Reading - 12X (9.31X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

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22. MCC 004 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X in 9:07

Reading - 8X in 9:40

DaTARIUS Scans -

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23. OPTODISC OR8 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.34X average) in 8:25 mins

Reading - Read error

The LiteOn LH-2B1S gave an unexpected read error in the end of the reading process.

DataRIUS Scans -

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The quality of the specific burn cannot be considered as good, since the PISum8 error rate is very high and also many POF were reported.


24. OPTODISC R16 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing - 12X (8.96X average) in 7:09 mins

Reading - 12X (9.37X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Click For Larger Image


25. PRODISC R04 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing - 12X (8.93X average) in 7:12 mins

Reading - 12X (9:30X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

A nearly perfect burn, with all measurements within the specifications limits. LiteOn engineers seem to have fine-tuned the firmware of the drive for this MID :)


26. RITEK R04 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.36X average) in 8:38 mins

Reading - 8X (9.30X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Well, this is a decent burn, considering that the PISum8 errors reprorted are corectable. Jitter is high and it seems to be related to the high PISum8 error rate.


27. YUDEN000 T02 DVD+R

Media Info -

Click For Larger image

Writing - 8X (7.34X average) in 8:26 mins

Reading - 12X (9.28X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -


28. YUDEN000 T03 DVD+R

Media Info -

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

Writing - 12X (8.94X average) in 7:11 mins

Reading - 12X (9.26X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

The measurements unveiled some POF errors in the last addresses of the disc. The FE, Radial1 and Radial2 signals also gave high peaks. This means that the PUH has to make an abnormal radial deviation, which can be caused by a black spot, a scratch, a bump, a dot etc. Although the disc in this test was in good shape, at least according to the naked eye, we will update this test with a new disc.


29. CMC MAG AE1 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

Writing - 8X (7.24X average) in 8:44 mins

Reading - 12X (9.34X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

POF errors as well as a high PISum8 error rate were reported for this disc. The FE value is also high, meaning that the deviation of the distance between the PUH and the surface of the disc was greater than the deviation specified/allowed and the laser spot was not optimally focused on the track. This results in read-out/tracking problems and possibly digital errors.


30. CMC MAG AM3 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

Writing - 12X 8.89X (average)in 7:29 mins

Reading - 12X (9.35X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

A good burn for the CMC MAG AM3 disc, with low digital errors.


31. DAXON016S DVD-R

Media Info -

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Writing - 12X (8.91X average) in 7:23 mins

Reading - 12X (9.36X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

High Radial1, Radial2 and I14Hrv values indicate tracking problems as well as possibly variations of disc reflectivity. The later is related to the homogeneity of dye coating and/or reflective metal coating. The result is POFs for the specific DAXON /LiteOn combination.


32. FUJIFILM03 DVD-R

Media Info -

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Writing - 8X (7.24X average) in 8:48 mins

Reading - 12X (9.30X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -


33. MCC 01RG20 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing - 4X (3.84X average) in 15:41 mins

Reading - 12X (9.30X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -


34. OPTODISCR0008 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.28X average) in 8:42 mins

Reading - 12X (9.28X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Very high digital error rates over a wide area of the disc contents.


35. Prodisc F01 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.25X average) in 8:46 mins

Reading - 12X (8.77X average)

A sharp dip in the CDSpeed reading graph could indicate reading difficulties and possible errors.

DaTARIUS Scans -

The disc produced POFs in the radius of 56-57 mm, near the end of the data area.


36. ProdiscS05 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.28X average) in 8:43 mins

Reading - 12X (9.35X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -


37. RICOHJPN R03 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing - 12X in 7:11 mins

Reading - 6X (5.44X average)

Strangely enough, this DVD+R disc was read at 6X CAV and not at the nominal 12X.

DaTARIUS Scans -

Another good burn with low digital error rates.


38. RITEK F1 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing - 12X (8.93X average) in 7:22 mins

Reading - 12X (9.32X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -


39. RITEKG05 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.29X average) in 8:42 mins

Reading - Read error

The disc could not be read by the LiteOn drive as well as by other DVD drives we tried.


40. TTH02 DVD-R

Media Info -

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Writing - 12X (7.28X average) in 9:07

Reading - 12X (9.30X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Some POFs in the outer area of the disc ruined its good performance.


41. TYG01 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

Writing - 4X (3.85X average) in 15:35 mins

Reading - 12X (9.30X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -


42. TYG02 DVD-R

Media Info -

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

Writing - 8X (7.21X average) in 8:47 mins

Reading - Read Error


43. MKM 01 RD30 DVD-R DL

Media Info -

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

Writing - Write error

The drive could not burn the Verbatim MKM01RD30 DVD-R DL disc at 4X.


44. MKM 03 RD30 DVD-R DL

Media Info -

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Writing - 4X (3.79X average) in 29:47 mins

Reading - 8X (5.68X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Layer 0

Layer 1


45. MKM 003 000 DVD+R DL

Media Info -

Click For Larger View

Writing - 4X (3.83X) in 28:19 mins

Reading - 8X (5.69X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Layer 0

Layer 1


46. RICOHJPN D00 DVD+R DL

Media Info -

Writing - Write error


47. MKM 01RW6X01 DVD-RW

Media Info -

Writing - 6X (5.74X average) in 10:53 mins

Reading - 12X (9.33X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

The quality test reported a POF at the radius of 49.48mm.

About Almedio AEC-1000

The AEC-1000 consists of a DVD Drive and the "ALChecker" error measurement application which can check the written data quality. The application is capable of 1X CLV measurement as well as 4X CLV on DVD-Video/ROM and finalized DVD+R/-R media.

There are three measurement modes:

The checking status is shown graphically in real time while you can save the error graph at the end of the test. The reported errors are the PI and the UncPO. In the case of PI, it counts the number of rows corrected by the PI error correction in each group of eight consecutive ECC blocks. In the case of UncPO, it counts the number of ECC blocks in which more than one byte is uncorrectable in eight consecutive ECC blocks. For our quality scans, we set for 1X CLV and Fine Mode which is the slowest and with the safest results. Also, we chose to measure all the media burned at the maximum available writing speed.


48. RITEKW06 DVD-RW

Media Info -

Writing - 6X (5.78X average) in 10:51 mins

Reading - 12X (9.32X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

The specific disc (TRAXDATA DVD-RW 6x RITEKW06) could not be measured by the Almedio AEC-1000. Although the disc was readable by all the drives we tested, the Almedio testing equipment recognized it as a blank and thus, we could not make the measurements.


49. MKM A02 DVD+RW

Media Info -

Writing - 4X (3.93X average) in 14:34 mins

Reading - 12X (9.35X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000


50. MKM A03 DVD+RW

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.17X average) in 8:28 mins

Reading - 12X (9.32X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000


51. RICOHJPN W21 DVD+RW

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.16X average) in 8:31 mins

Reading - 12X (9.14X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000


52. DVD Writing Quality Summary

In the following table we have gathered the findings of the DVD quality measurements of this test. Note that each disc was measured under the same conditions with the Datarius equipment. On the left side of the table you can find the discs that gave back no uncorrectable digital errors, while on the right side there are the rest of the discs. For detailed measurement data, visit the corresponding pages.

Media type
Digital errors within limits
Digital errors exceed limits
DVD+R MAXELL 003 000 (00) burned at 12X BeAll000 P80 000 (00) burned at 8X
MCC 003 000 (00) burned at 8X CMC MAG E01 000 (00) Write error
MCC 004 000 (00) burned at 12X OPTODISC 0R8 000 (00) burned at 8X
OPTODISC R16 000 (00) burned at 12X RITEK R04 001 (01) burned at 8X
PRODISC R04 004 (04) burned at 12X YUDEN000 T03 000 (00) burned at 12X
YUDEN000 T02 000 (00) burned at 8X  
DVD-R CMC MAG. AM3 burned at 12X CMC MAG. AE1 burned at 8X
FUJIFILM03 burned at 8X DAXON016S burned at 12X
RICOHJPN R03 004 (04) burned at 12X MCC 01RG20 burned a t 4X
RITEKF1 burned at 12X OPTODISCR008 burned at 8X
TYG01 burned at 4X ProdiscF01 burned at 8X
  ProdiscS05 burned at 8X
  TTH02 burned at 8X
  RITEKG05 burned at 8X, read error
  TYG02 burned at 8X, read error
DVD-R DL MKM 03RD 30 burned at 4X MKM 01RD30 - Write error
DVD+R DL MKM 003 000 (00) burned at 4X RICOHJPN D00 001 (01) - Write error
DVD-RW RITEKW06 burned at 6X MKM 01RW6X01 burned at 6X
DVD+RW MKM A02 000 (00) burned at 4X MKM A03 000 (00) burned at 8X
RICOHJPN W21 001 (01) burned at 8X  

- Burning times

Here we have gathered the results of the burning tests for Blu-Ray and DVD media. The numbers formatted in "Bold" indicate the best recording time for each format.

For more information about the test done with each disc, you can visit the corresponding pages of this review.

BD-R BURNING RESULTS
  Media Manufacturer Manufacturer ID Average Burned Speed Burning Time (mins:secs)
LiteOn LH-2B1S Imation Memorex BD-R 25GB 2x MEI-(001) 1.93X 46:57
TDK BD-R 25GB 2x TDKBLDRBA-(000) 1.94X 46:37
Mitsubishi Kangaku Media BD-R 25GB 2x VERBATIMa-(000) 1.94X 46:40

BD-RE BURNING RESULTS
  Media Manufacturer Manufacturer ID Average Burned Speed Burning Time (mins:secs)
LiteOn LH-2B1S TDK BD-RE 25GB 2x TDKBLDWBA (000) 1.95X 46:25
Sony BD-RE 25GB 2x SONY(001) 1.96X 46:19
Mitsubishi Kangaku Media BD-RE 25GB 2x

VERBATIM0 (000)

1.95X 46:24

DVD+R BURNING RESULTS
  Media Manufacturer Manufacturer ID Average Burning Speed Burning Time (mins:secs)
LiteOn LH-2B1S BeALL DVD+R 4.7GB 8X BeAll000 P80 000 (000) 3.87X 16:22
CMC Magnetics DVD+R 8X CMCMAG E01 (000) 7.33X 9:17
Maxell DVD+R 4.7GB 16X Maxell003 000 (000) 8.93X 7:12
Verbatim DVD+R 4.7GB 8X MCC003 (000) 7.33X 8:27
Verbatim DVD+R 4.7GB 16X MCC004 (000) 8.96X 7:10
Optodisc DVD+R 4.7GB 8X OPTODISC OR8 000 (00) 7.34X 8:25
Optodisc DVD+R 4.7GB 16X OPTODISC R16 000 (00)

8:96X

7:09
Prodisc DVD+R 4.7GB 16X PRODISC R04 (04) 8:93X 7:12
Ritek DVD+R 4.7GB 16X RITEK R04 001 (01) 7:36X 8:38
Taiyo Yuden DVD+R 4.7GB 8X YUDEN000 T02 (000) 7:34X 8:26
Taiyo Yuden DVD+R 4.7GB 16X YUDEN000 T03 000 (00) 8:94X 7:11

DVD+R DL BURNING RESULTS
  Media Manufacturer Manufacturer ID Average Burning Speed Burning Time (mins:secs)
LiteOn LH-2B1S Ricoh DVD+R DL 8X RICOHJPN D00 001 (01) Burning error -
Verbatim DVD+R DL 8x MKM 003 (000) 3.83X 28:19

DVD+RW BURNING RESULTS
  Media Manufacturer Manufacturer ID Average Burning Speed Burning Time (mins:secs)
LiteOn LH-2B1S Verbatim DVD+RW 4.7GB 4X MKM A02 000 (00) 3.93X 14:34
Verbatim DVD+RW 4.7GB 8X MKM A03 000 (00) 7.17X 8:28
Verbatim DVD+RW 4.7GB 8X RICOHJPN W21 (001) 7.16X 8:31

DVD-R BURNING RESULTS
  Media Manufacturer Manufacturer ID Average Burning Speed Burning Time (mins:secs)
LiteOn LH-2B1S CMC Magnetics DVD-R 4.7GB 8X CMC MAG AE1 7.24X 8:44
CMC Magnetics DVD-R 4.7GB 16X CMCMAG AM3 8.89X 7:29
BenQ DVD-R 4.7GB 16X DAXON016S 8.91X 7:23
Fujifilm DVD-R 4.7GB 8X Fujifilm03 7.24X 8:48
Verbatim DVD-R 4.7GB 4X MCC01RG20 3.84X 15.41
Optodisc DVD-R 4.7GB 8X OPTODISC R008 7.28X 8:42
Prodisc DVD-R 4.7GB 8X ProdiscF01 7.25X 8:46
Prodisc DVD-R 4.7GB 16X ProdiscS05 7.28X 8:43
Ricoh DVD-R 4.7GB 16X RICOHJPN R03 004 (04) 8.94X 7:11
Ritek DVD-R 4.7GB 16X RITEKF1 8.93X 7:22
Ritek DVD-R 4.7GB 8X RITEKG05 7.29X 8:42
TDK DVD-R 4.7GB 16X TTH02 7.28X 9:07
Taiyo Yuden DVD-R 4.7GB 4X TYG01 3.85X 15:35
Taiyo Yuden DVD-R 4.7GB 8X TYG02 7.21X 8:47

DVD-R DL BURNING RESULTS
  Media Manufacturer Manufacturer ID Average Burning Speed Burning Time (mins:secs)
LiteOn LH-2B1S Verbatim DVD-R DL 8.5GB 4X MKM 01RD 30 Burning error -
Verbatim DVD-R DL 8.5GB 8X MKM 03RD30 3.79X 29:47

DVD-RW BURNING RESULTS
  Media Manufacturer Manufacturer ID Average Burning Speed Burning Time (mins:secs)
LiteOn LH-2B1S Verbatim DVD-RW 4.7GB 6X MKM 01RW6X01 5.74X 10:53
Traxdata DVD-RW 4.7GB 6X RITEKW06 5:78X 10:51

- Booktype Settings

The LiteOn LH-2B1S supports the Booktype feature, for hassle-free burnings compatible with your DVD players.

- DVD Overburning

The LiteOn drive also supports overburning with DVD recordable media, according to CDSpeed.


53. Conclusion

LiteOn's first generation Blu-Ray drive has left us with a good overall impression, showing an overall positive behavior in the basic tasks of this review.

As a Blu-Ray drive, the device successfully burned all the BD-R and BD-RE media we used in this test. Having compatibility in mind, we tested the burned discs in the other Blu-Ray drives that are currently available on the market. All discs were readable except for the TDK 50GB BD-R disc, which is not supported by the drive. Early announcements of the LiteOn LH-2B1S drive indicated that the drive would be compatible with dual-layer (50GB) BD-R media but currently, the company claims that hardware limitations do not allow this kind of support, while it promises it in the next generation of drives.

How about using the drive as a Blu-Ray movie player? Unfortunately, we were unable to test any titles with the drive, since as yet, no releases have been forthcoming in the European region. But the drive is only one link in the chain of devices required to play a HD title. As it is widely discussed over the internet, in order to play HD content titles, a compatible HDCP monitor or HDMI TV set is required as well as an appropriate graphics card (HDCP) and the latest Nvidia or ATI drivers.

The drive is very fast with the more traditional CD and DVD media in either writing or reading. The supported 12X writing with DVD±R media provides the drive a small edge compared to the other Blu-Ray drives currently on the market, as well as the 32X speed for CD-R.

In our suite of tests, the drive proved a very capable reader with both CD and DVD defective media. With burning CD and DVD media, it provided adequate quality, probably in part due to the fact that burning was done at lower speeds. However, some MIDs were not supported by the drive, making the specific discs unreadable. In some other cases, the drive refused to complete a burning session. But all these issues may be fixed through a firmware release, so we expect that LiteOn will update the drive soon.

All in all, the LiteOn LH-2B1S could be an attractive triple-format Blu-Ray burner for all those who are willing to pay US$545-699 (according to online prices).

Pros

 

Cons



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