While many people thought 16X would be the maximum writing speed for DVD±R, Lite-On IT is one of the companies pushing the limit. Lite-On's first 18X drive, the LH-18A1P is expected to be available from October 2006. The LH-18A1P makes DVD recording quicker than ever before. The drive can write both DVD+R and DVD-R at 18X, thanks to SmartWrite technology. Double and Dual layer discs can be written at 8X. Besides DVD±R(W) compatibility, this drive also incorporates Super AllWrite technology and therefore rewrites DVD-RAM discs at 12X.

SmartWrite Technology

The new Lite-On drive comes with SmartWrite technology. This is a Lite-On technology to optimize the writing strategy for each particular writing session. Through the drive?s self learning mechanism, it automatically detects and decides the optimal write strategy for DVD±R recordable media.



SmartWrite has a smart writing algorithm to burn most DVD recordable media with the best write quality. It will automatically memorize the optimal write strategy for all recordable media the drive has ever burned.

With the launch of the 18X LH-18A1P Lite-On also introduces a new retail box design for DVD-R(W) drives. The new blue-white retail boxes are part of Lite-On ITs corporate identity changes. The company already introduced new packaging design with its other ODD products.

Specifications:

Write:
DVD+R 18X maximum by CAV
DVD+R DL 8X maximum by Z-CLV
DVD-R 18X maximum by CAV
DVD-R DL 8X maximum by Z-CLV
DVD+RW 8X maximum by Z-CLV
DVD-RW 6X maximum by Z-CLV
DVD-RAM 12X maximum by P-CAV
CD-R 48X maximum by CAV
CD-RW 32X maximum by Z-CLV, in Ultra Speed disc

Read :
DVD-ROM 16X maximum by CAV
CD-ROM 48X maximum by CAV

- Access time ( maximum ) : DVD: 160ms, CD: 160ms
- Compatibility : Windows 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP