Magic Speed

ODD products launched nowadays are providing a high reading speed. With the increased reading speed, faster data processing has become possible. However, high rotation speed often causes louder noise, and it is more possible to crash the cracked or bent discs. Against this backdrop, Samsung has developed a speed-down algorithm and applied this technology to newly-launched products to provide safer and more comfortable environments for PC users. The algorithm establishes a safer disc reading speed in operating the device in order to prevent possible disc crashes in using CDs with cracks in starting. In addition, for users who want to play CDs at its maximum speed, MAGIC SPEED program offers the function of selecting reading speed, so that users can set the speed as they want. (Recording speed will run at recordable speed without limit)

Samsung's MAGIC SPEED utility is included in the drive's DVD-ROM software disc.

The software supports user to select at his or her discretion the reading speed of CD disc between two modes offered by drive: Maximum Speed Mode (Max Mode) and Silent Mode. Here we should note that any mode set by Magic Speed will be reset to "Low noise mode" when the PC restarts, so check the current mode if you want to use "The maximum speed mode" and change the settings where necessary.

The utility can be downloaded at www.samsung-ODD.com.

Once installed it is accessible through the MAGIC SPEED tray icon. Select right-click to execute the program. Select the mode you want to use on Program Execution Window and select "settings". Then, reading speed of the drive will run in selected mode. Select "Close" to exit Program Execution Window. In this occasion, reading speed will be run in the set speed if there is no separate mode change or program exit.

LiveUpdate

The Samsung SH-B123L BD combo drive also supports the Firmware LiveUpdate. This is is a program that automatically upgrades the latest firmware version through the Internet.

Until now, when new firmware was released and posted on the manufacturers' website s managed by themselves , users had to visit the website to check if the firmware supports their models and download and install it on their own. Samsung Electronics has developed a system, which enables users firmware to be upgraded to the newest version automatically upon its release. But, to get this service, users have to install the Firmware LiveUpdate program on their computers and the computers should be connected to the Internet.

Basically, the model names and the firmware versions are recorded in all firmware of Samsung Electronics ODD products. Every time a user turns on a PC and Internet, the Firmware LiveUpdate program checks the latest firmware version by sending firmware information of the ODD model installed in users' PC to Samsung Electronics firmware database to determine if there is new firmware version has been released. If users' firmware is the latest version, the program is automatically closed (It takes less than one sec.), but if there is a new version, it will confirm user ' s intension, and then, automatically starts to upgrade. Times it takes will be different depending on Internet transmission speed. The size of the Samsung Electronics Firmware is generally less than 1MByte.

Once you start the Firmware LiveUpdate utility, you are prompted to enter some information about you:

The software can automatically searches the latest patch program and installs it.

Or open Samsung's ODD page where you can manually download the firmware for your drive.

LiveUpdate is set to search for a new firmware every time turning on a PC, but this function gives a choice that a users can set up the auto-execution schedule:

The Error Report" is a function that a user can send an error report when he or she has an error while using, Samsung ODD products.

LightScribe

Samsung SH-B123L supports the LightScribe disc labeling technology. LightScribe is technology that uses a special disc drive, special media, and label-making software to burn labels directly onto CDs and DVDs. Because the labels are laser-etched—not printed—there's no ink, no smudging, and no peeling.

You can create one-of-a-kind designs with your own photos, text, and artwork using your label-making software. Or choose from the many free backgrounds the software provides.

Once you create your design, be sure to follow these three steps:

• Burn your data (music, photos, video, etc.) in the LightScribe drive.

• When your data burning is complete, open the drive and flip the disc over.
• Burn your LightScribe label. Remember, the same drive that burns your data burns your label, too.

How it works? The laser inside a CD/DVD disc drive with LightScribe technology focuses light energy onto a thin dye coating on the label side of the disc. The light from the laser causes a chemical change in the dye coating that shows up on the disc. With laser precision, the drive renders the text and images that you created for the label.

In order to use LightScribe, you must have a LightScribe-enabled disc drive such as the Samsung SH-B083L, install the LightScribe System Software (LSS), which is similar to a driver and it will automatically be installed once you install the Labeling application, which is CyberLink's labelPrint software in our case.

Let's start a typical disc labeling task using LighScribe. We open CyberLink's LabelPrint software and choose to create the "LighScribe" type of label:

You can use either LighScribe CD or DVD recordable media for your labels. We used a LightScribe CD-R by Memorex:

The next step is to add any text, image of background image on the layout. Then you are ready to edit the properties of the text, such as its alignment, size, font etc. The LabelPrint software is also offering some layout styles as well as background images for your labels. Of course, you are free to add any other image you like:

We are ready to begin labeling the LighScribe CD-R:

The software supports three labeling modes: Best, Normal and Draft. Each mode represents a different labeling quality:

Below you can see a preview of our label:

Generally, a full label on CD-R media would take you no more than 28 minutes, depending on the amount of text and the complexity of the images you have added to the label. Labelling on DVDs would take a couple of more minutes. Our label was ready in just 10 minutes.