Designed primarily for enthusiasts seeking for the ultimate specifications, the LiteOn LH-20A1P is fast with its 20X writing capability and OverSpeed technology. We were able to burn 16X discs at 18X and 20X, a fact which makes this drive the fastest DVD ReWriter currently. However, nobody wants a top-speed drive unless it is also a good all-around performer.

According to our experience through years of hardware testing, recording DVDs at speeds higher than 8x is not always recommended - at least not if you want your data to be readable long term. Of course, this is a rule of thumb but it does not mean that your disc recorded at 16x, 18x or even at 20x will not be readable. A fine-tuned writing strategy in combination with a high-quality disc could give you satisfactory results. A good example is the Taiyo Yuden T03 DVD+R disc, which produced very good results, despite the 20x recording speed. Furthermore, LiteOn recommends this disc for the specific model drive in its 20x "selected DVD +R/-R media".

In general, the drive produced average writing quality at high burning speeds with DVDs. All discs were readable after burning, but the quality varied significantly between the different MIDs, for the same burning speeds.

As a reader, the drive was very fast and reliable with CD-ROM/R media, although the supported 32X speed with CD-RW (Ultra speed) media could be higher, compared to the competition. The DAE speed is high enough, while its performance when reading defective audio CDs was also adequate.

We should also add the 12x DVD-RAM support as well as the very good DVD error correction of the drive as a definite plus.

The LiteOn LH-20A1P is currently available from online stores for US$35-50.