ASUS DRW-20B1LT Multi-DVD Burner Review

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Author

KIPPER
Retired Moderator & Reviewer
Article posted 09 Dec 08 06:55

Conclusion

Conclusion:

Positive:

  • Generally good DVD-R/±RW writing quality and performance.
  • Very fast 48x CD-R and 32x CD-RW writing
  • Can burn selected DVD±R media faster than its rated speed.
  • Excellent reading performance and reliability.
  • Can read and write mini DVD media.

Negative:

  • DVD±RW writing quality could be improved.
  •  CD-R writing quality could be improved.
  • BitSetting (BookType DVD-ROM) not supported.

Let us summarize the most important positive and negative points below:

The main positive points:

The ASUS DRW-20B1LT is a fast drive as far as writing CD-R and DVD±R media is concerned; 48X and 20X respectively.  

The ASUS DRW-20B1LT wrote our tested DVD±R/±RW/DL media with generally very good quality.

The ASUS DRW-20B1LT was also able to burn selected DVD±R media at faster than its rated speed.

The ASUS DRW-20B1LT is a reasonably well built drive. Noise levels, even at 20X are not intrusive and DVD-Video playback noise levels are low.

The main negative points:

DVD±RW writing quality on the ASUS DRW-20B1LT needs to improve.

We would also like to see the write Quality on our test CD-R media improved.

To sum up, this is what we would say:

“ASUS DRW-20B1LT is a solid performer and a good choice for CD and DVD burning.”

 

 

You may comment on this review below or in this forum thread.

Thanks to:

 

Maxell USA – For providing the media used in this review.

Memorex USA – For providing the media used in this review.

Optodisc USA – For providing the media used in this review.

Rima.com USA – For providing Taiyo Yuden media used in this review.

Advanced Media/Ritek-USA – For providing the media used in this review.

Verbatim USA – For providing the media used in this review.

 

ExtremeMhz   – For providing the Maxell 12x DVD-RAM media used in this review

 

7 Comments

guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 10 Dec 08 02:48
No support for bitsetting? What crapola. Stay away from this guy. Hooey....
cd pirate
Posts: 3256
Posted on: 11 Dec 08 12:55
Hey, can you prove that bitsetting single layer media actually makes any difference to readability of the disc? I'm not even going to explain why I think it's not necessary and why people who rave about it are pretty much just blowing steam out of their asses.
ron spencer
Posts: 132
Posted on: 11 Dec 08 19:02
bitsetting certainly does....I have two machines that will not play +r DL without dvd-rom set....it is simple to program into firmware....more features are better. :r to this drive
omegaman7769
Posts: 158
Posted on: 11 Dec 08 20:24
Yes, bitsetting is VERY beneficial! I recently helped a buddy out with that very ability. His player does not like +R's. But I suggested to him closing it -Rom and badda bing :B Probably consider getting this drive, even if it doesnt bitset. I have an aging asus MB still going STRONG. Obviously Asus is a manufacturer to be praised.
xu477577153
Posts: 11
Posted on: 29 Dec 08 14:18
[removed spam]
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 04 Jan 09 19:25
Just got this drive and it has burned a bunch of media (both DVD-R & DVD+R) that often resulted in coasters in my previous burner. Can't comment on the quality, but the speed and compatibility seem first-rate. Paid $20 shipped at NewEgg after a $10 rebate. I'm sure the quality of the burns is fine, but if it were less than top-notch: would that mean that movies will have defects when played back on a DVD player? That data files would have trouble reading back on my PC? Or that music discs might not play in CD players? I doubt it, but I'm open to input on this. (Just in case, I always burn everything twice, once on -R and once on +R).
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 04 Mar 09 07:38
Why lightscribe on my drw-20b1lt is not working properly? Printed image is almost invisible and skewed by spyral.

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