LG GBW-H20L Super Multi Blue Review

Author

MegaDETH
Senior Moderator and Senior Reviewer
Article posted 28 Aug 08 18:07

Introduction


 

 

Review: LG GBW-H20L
Reviewed by: MegaDETH
Provided by: LG – USA
Firmware: YG01
Manufactured:  April 2008


LG USA was kind enough to send us the GBW-H20L Super Multi Blue Disc Drive Rewriter with LightScribe. LG, an early endorser of Blu-Ray, has made it possible for the consumer to experience Blu-Ray reading and writing making this a true “Super-Multi” drive. The LG GBW-H20L is an internal SATA drive.

In this review we will show the performance of the LG GBW-H20L by running the drive through many tests on a considerable amount of various CD/DVD/BD media.

Corporate Information:


We took a quick look at the company information found at LG Electronic USA sites:

LG Electronics, Inc. (Korea Stock Exchange: 6657.KS) was established in 1958 as the pioneer in the Korean consumer electronics market. The company is a major global force in electronics and information and communications products with more than 64,000 employees working in 76 overseas subsidiaries and marketing units around the world. With annual total revenues of more than US $16.9 billion (non-consolidated), LG Electronics comprises three main business companies: Digital Display & Media, Digital Appliance, and Telecommunication Equipment & Handset.

LG Electronics’ goal is to enable the intelligent networking of digital products that will make consumers’ lives better than ever.

Mobile Phone

Headquartered in San Diego, California, LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc., is the North American wireless division of LGE, a business unit of LG Electronics (LGE) and global manufacturer of electronics products based in Seoul, Korea.

TV / Audio / Video

From LG, a global leader and among the world’s fastest growing electronics companies, comes a line of high quality award-winning plasmas, LCD and digital video products that will redefine the high-end home theater experience.

Computer Products

The LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. Information Systems Products division (LGE ISP) markets LG-brand LCD displays, as well as optical storage CD and DVD readers and writers, to reseller and retail distribution channels.

Home Appliances

Through strong research and development in appliances and information technologies, LG Electronics has elevated the way appliances are used in daily life.

If you are interested in reading more about LG Electronic USA, please visit: www.lgusa.com.

 

Drive Specifications:


Let us take a look at the detailed specifications of the LG GBW-H20L Super Multi Blue Disc Drive Rewriter with LightScribe:

What’s inside the box?


Let’s take a look at what comes with the retail package:

As we can see, the retail package contains almost everything you need to get started:

  • The LGGBW-H20L Super Multi Blue Drive with LightScribe
  • Serial ATA Cable
  • Power Adaptor (12volt to SATA)
  • Installation manual
  • Quick Setup Guide and Limited Warranty booklet
  • Mounting screws
  • LG DVD Writer Solution software disk, including PowerDVD, PowerProducer, Power2GO with LightScribe, Instant Burn, Power Backup, BD Advisor.

 

LG DVD Writer Solution software CD

Cyberlink BD Advisor (Beta) showing Blu-Ray compatibility

 

Next let’s take a look at the details on the retail box:

Front

Back

Side

Now let’s take look at some screen shots of the drive itself:                                                  

 

Front

Back

 
Top


Drive Sticker

On the top of the drive we found a sticker that shows the drive was made in Korea and has a production date of April 2008.


Bottom


Drive Right


Drive Left

 

Now, let us connect the drive and check out the features, program bundle and writing technology on the next page…


13 Comments

guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 29 Aug 08 01:47
Circuit City also has the same retail version available for $279.99.
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 30 Aug 08 14:52
sounds excellent...BUT...pricey!!
JustinSane
Posts: 3
Posted on: 05 Sep 08 15:48
Nice but expensive.
JustinSane
Posts: 3
Posted on: 05 Sep 08 15:48
Nice but expensive.
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 14 Sep 08 09:03
As you can see from the TRT and the ScanDisc the GBW-H20L had no problems with this Panasonic media. -> should be VERBATIM media, there's a mistake there.
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 22 Sep 08 05:15
infonec web site sells it for $239 Canadian
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 23 Sep 08 08:03
This is the exact same drive as the GGW-H20L, which you can find for cheap if you look around. Also, the GGW-H20L has HD-DVD playback while the GBW-H20L does not. The only thing that changed on this new drive was the removal of HD-DVD support because the format war has been won by Blu-Ray. I just bought the GGW-H20L and I am glad I did. The whole objective is to be able to read as many formats as possible. At one time Divx was on its death bed, but you still see it floating around. The specs and the chips sets in each drive are exactly the same. Get this, around here they want 279.00 for the new drive and 239.00 for the older drive. Dont pay more for a drive that is less capable than the old drive. Do your homework they are exactly the same. Also, you can get HD-DVD for like 8.00 bucks versus 30.00 for Blu-Ray. :X :X
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 26 Sep 08 11:52
Thanks Shawn. I was just about to ask what is difference with this drive compared to GGW-H20L, since original article completly ignored that part. Again thank you Shawn to clearing this out.
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 27 Oct 08 23:50
Hi, I bought the new one from ***egg and it is SUPER!. Play's both Blu-Ray & HD DVD Shawn is right but I just Lucked out. (Missed that fact of HD DVD) 239 With 3 day shipping free :X and a blank 25 gb bd-re
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 24 Jan 09 18:02
Nice and NOT expensive!
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 21 Feb 09 23:02
Picked it up for $140 at Circuit City today. Me thinks that is a pretty fair price.
guest
Posts: 15288
Posted on: 19 Mar 09 18:47
I managed to pick this burner up about 2 months ago for 160.00 Canadian with 4 years warrenty from bestbuy got them to price match an online add massive sale. I am not bsing you I can show you my reciet. Any how found only one issue thus far. Stuck it in my tower and went to install a fresh copy of vista 64 bit not sp1 and I kept getting the blue screen of death during set up. I had to put my regualr DVD burner back in on the ide in order for me to finish the install. I put the blue ray back in but got the blue screen of death again until I finished updating vista with the sp1 update I was not able to get the blue ray burner to work without blue screening me.
nightingale
Posts: 4
Posted on: 07 Apr 09 06:21
Good product but a little pricy . now I have a good share, http://www.tradestead.com there are many kinds of beautiful and lovely consumer electronics which really give me much help and also much fun!

Post a comment

Hello guest,
default
To benefit from all extra features you need to log in or sign up.