Samsung SH-B083L

Review Pages

1. Features, specifications
2. CD reading tests
3. Reading defected CDs
4. DVD reading tests
5. Reading defected DVDs
6. Reading Blu-ray discs - page 1
7. Reading Blu-ray discs - page 2
8. CD/DVD testing platform - The IQB Omni CD DVD Analyser by Quantized
9. CD-R writing - Memorex 48x CD-R
10. CD-R writing - Taiyo Yuden 48x CD-R
11. CD-R writing - CMC Magnetics 48X CD-R
12. CD-RW writing - Verbatim CD-RW 24x and 32x
13. DVD-R writing - CMC MAG AM3 16x DVD-R
14. DVD-R writing - MCC 03RG20 16x DVD-R
15. DVD-R writing - RITEK F1 16x DVD-R
16. DVD-R writing - TTH02 16x DVD-R
17. DVD-R writing - TYG03 16x DVD-R
18. DVD-R DL writing - MKM03RD30 8x DVD-R
19. DVD-RW writing - MKM RW6X01 6x DVD-RW
20. DVD+R writing - DAXON AZ3 16x DVD+R
21. DVD+R writing - INFOME R30 16x DVD+R
22. DVD+R writing - MBIPG101R05 16x DVD+R
23. DVD+R writing - OPTODISC R16 16x DVD+R
24. DVD+R writing - YUDEN T03 16x DVD+R
25. DVD+RW writing - MKM A03 8x DVD+RW
26. DVD+R DL writing - MKM 003 8x DVD+R DL
27. DVD-RAM writing - Maxell MXL16 and MXL22 DVD-RAM
28. Summary of CD/ DVD burning tests, Overburning, Book Type
29. Samsung MagicSpeed, Live Update, LightScribe
30. Final words

Today we put Samsung's SH-B083L Blu-ray disc combo drive under out usual tests. Samsung's SH-B083L can play Blu-ray discs and record to CDs and DVDs. Plus, it has fast read speeds, which go all the way up to 8x. In addition to HD picture support (1920 x 1080 pixels), the SHB083L is available with a capacity of up to 25 GB for a single-layer disc, and 50 GB for a dual-layer disc. The SH B083L is also equipped with several technologies for smooth operation, including two lenses and two laser diodes for reading and writing data to CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

The drive does not offer the writing capabilities found on more expensive units, but its relatively low cost could be attractive to users who need a BD drive in order to watch Blu-ray movies on their computers. It retails retails for about €100 in online stores.

Basic features include 8x BD read speeds, reading of DVD's at 16x and CD's at 48x. In addition, the drive will burn your DVDs at 16 max and your CDs at 48x. Below you can see more details about the drive's basic features:

SATA interface, 5 ¼" Half-Height internal BD Combo drive.
Max. 8X BD-ROM/BD-RE/BD-R SL and 4X BD-ROM/BD-R/BD-RE DL CAV reading
Max.16X DVD+R/-R SL writing, 8X DVD+RDL/-RDL writing
Max. 12x DVD-RAM writing/reading
Max. 16X DVD-ROM/+R/-R reading
Max. 12X DVD+RDL/-RDL/-RW/+RW reading
Max. 48X CD-ROM/R/RW reading
Max. 48X CD-R, 32X CD-RW writing
Speed Adjustment TEchnology (S.A.T.): Automatically write in the most optimized speed for the inserted disc.
TAC (Tilt Actuator Compensation): For reliable writing in all areas of the disc, the objective lens makes a tilt to compensate if the disc is in a twisted condition.
Double OPC (Optimum Power Control): Optimizes the laser power checking the writing performance both in the inner and outer side of the media for the most reliable writing performance.
Buffer Under Run Free Technology: Prevents Buffer Under Run error, enabling high-speed.
Magic Speed: Enables flexibility of drive operation ; low noise mode and high-speed mode.
BD read compliant: BD data, BD video of 12 cm diameter
Serial ATA Revision 2.6, ATA-8, MMC-6 and SFF-8090 V7 compliant
MPC level 3, PC2001 System Design Guide, MultiRead/UDF compliant
Support Ultra DMA mode 5
AACS compliant (incl. Rom mark)
Lightscribe

Retail package

The retail package of the drive includes:

Samsung SH-B083L BD combo drive
CyberLink BD Suite: PowerDVD 8 (BD disc playback), PowerProducer 5 (DVD Authoring), MediaShow 4 (Media management), Power2GO 6 (data burning), InstantBurn 5 (packet writing), LabelPrint 2 (Label designs, LightScribe), BDAdvisor 2.
User's Manual (18 languages)
Quick Installation Guide
SATA Cable
Mounting Screws

The drive sports a glossy finish, and has the stylish operation LED / eject button below the tray: