LiteOn LDW-401S DVD+R/+RW

Review Pages

1. Retail package - Installation
2. CD Reading Tests
3. CD Error Correction Tests
4. DVD Reading Tests
5. DVD Error Correction Tests
6. Protected Disc Tests
7. DAE Tests
8. CD Recording Tests
9. CD-R Writing Quality Tests
10. DVD Recording Tests
11. DVD Writing Quality Tests
12. Conclusion

LiteOn DVD+RW LDW401S - Page 12

Conclusion

LiteOn DVD+RW LDW401S
Pros	Cons
4X DVD+R/RW writing 12x DVD-ROM reading 40/24/40 CD-RW Fast DVD Video ripping Supports CDS 200 and key2Audio audio protections Good CD/DVD seek times Maximum 40x DAE Good error CD correction/concealment Good error handling with defected DVD-ROM discs Good writing speeds Overburning up to 99min Supports CD-Text (reading/writing) Supports 99min discs Working SafeDisc v.2.90 backups Adequate CD writing quality	Poor retail package Does not support Mount Rainier DVD+R/+RW reading speed could be higher Possible reading problems with scratched dual layer DVD-Video Increased 3T jitter at 40x

LiteOn LDW401S supports maximum writing speed 4x for both the DVD+R and the DVD+RW formats. This means that the drive needs about 14min to write a 4.4GB file. LiteOn was fully compatible with all media we test and the written process was done at the maximum allowed speed of 4x. The quality of the recorded discs was measured with LiteOn KProbe v1.1.23 software. The results are fair enough with all discs, although the +RW media average PI and PO error rate was increased in comparison to the +R media.

On the DVD reading side LiteOn supports 12x for a single layer and 8x for a dual layer DVD-ROM. The transfer rate tests confirmed the specifications of the drive, although we would prefer the drive to read DVD+R/+RW media at a higher speed than the 6-7x CAV. The drive was also fast on the DVD-Video ripping process.

The DVD error correction of the drive is good and this is confirmed by the reading performance of the Abex scratched/defected DVD-ROM media that were read accurately without read errors. However, the scratched dual layer DVD-Video disc was read slower than the rest discs. The problem is located in the second layer of the disc, where the drive slowed down reading. The behavior was confirmed with a simple playback of the DVD movie through Power DVD software. Playback was momentarily stilled to resume in a few seconds.

LiteOn is also a reliable 40/24/40 CD recorder, providing fast reading and low seek times. The drive supports CAV writing strategy for all the supported burning speeds offering competitive recording times, adequate writing quality, while the 3T jitter was generally low, with an exception when recording at 40x.

The maximum supported speed for DAE is 40x CAV. In addition, Key2Audio and Cactus Data Shield 200 are supported.

The majority of your defected discs will be probably read accurately. Although assigning the error correction limits is risky, we could say that the drive handled successfully scratches sized up to 1.125mm.

Another important issue, however, is the ability of the drive to backup protected discs. LiteOn managed to make working back-ups even of the latest SafeDisc v2.90. On the plus side is the fact that the drive supports RAW DAO 96 writing, CD Text and reading of 99min discs.

LiteOn LDW-401S is available in the market at a very attractive price of $100~110. LiteOn traditionally offers low prices for its products, and this is probably its main advantage of its products. In case your needs include writing of DVD-R/-RW formats also, you can spend some extra $25-35 and buy the newer LiteOn LDW-411S dual DVD writer. The new drive will be also demonstrated in this web site soon.

Written and Edited by

Tony Veglis