LG GSA-H55LI Super Multi DVD Rewriter with SecurDisc Technology

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Author

KIPPER
Retired Moderator & Reviewer
Article posted 22 Jul 07 19:03

Conclusion

Positive

 

  • LG GSA-H55N reads and writes all CD and DVD media types
  • SecurDisc capable Drive
  • Writing quality is good or excellent with all tested CD-R/RW media
  • Bitsetting is available and on by default for DVD+R and DVD+R DL media
  • Short lead-in and lead-out times result in fast burns

 

Negative

  • Questionable performance with 20x DVD+R burning
  • Currently we find that only a few DVD+R media will write at 20X
  • Slow 8x CAV reading of single layered CSS-protected DVD-Video

 

The main positive points: The LG GSA-H55LI is called a “Multi DVD Burner” since it supports recording on most available media formats including CD-R/RW, DVD±R/±RW, DVD±R Double/Dual Layer, and DVD-RAM.  With the new technology of SecurDisc which is the first and most comprehensive data protection solution for CDs and DVDs.   It is also packed with a comprehensive software suite from CyberLink consisting of Nero Express, Nero InCD, PowerDVD, and PowerProducer which is worth the extra retail price.

The drives operation is very quiet; this is a big plus for us or anyone who appreciates a quiet computer.

 

The main negative points: There are a few issues that we would like to mention with hopes of them being improved.  The reading of DVD-Video single layered pressed discs at 6X speed is one area we would like to see improvement.  Write quality with some DVD+R and DVD+R DL is another area we think improvement is needed. 

To sum up, this is what we would say: “The LG GSA-H55LI is the first DVD Writer with the SecurDisc Technology; will burn fast and burns most media with good quality”.

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

Thanks to

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

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

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

 

ExtremeMhz   – For providing the Maxell 12x DVD-RAM 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.

13 Comments

guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 23 Jul 07 07:20
Since when are Nero Express and InCD Cyberlink products?
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 26 Jul 07 04:48
HALLO I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THIS DRIVE IS IT AN ATA 66 OR ATA 33(UDMA)
cd pirate
Posts: 3256
Posted on: 30 Jul 07 09:29
Awesome securdisc technology, I can now password protect my porn so people don't steal it or show my mum!
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 02 Aug 07 15:29
Where I can buy this burner.. cant find anywhere?
royphil345
Posts: 16
Posted on: 23 Jan 08 01:33
I'm reasonably happy with mine, however this drive is a very slow DVD ripper and doesn't support disc quality scanning. The firmware updates claim to reduce noise during DVD playback, as well as improve write quality on some discs. I'm betting the reduced speed for playing DVDs also applies to ripping DVDs and the original firmware might have been better for DVD ripping. The drive doesn't cache audio CDs and is an excellent CD ripper for Exact Audio Copy. The read offset is +102. The write offset is +30. The drive is ATA 66 (UDMA mode 4).
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 01 Mar 08 01:23
This is my favorite "burner" that I own however, my Lite-On 20A4P is my best "multi-purpose" burner because it rips extremely fast compared to this LG model. I get very high quality burns with this drive even with garbage media. The GSA-H55N or H55LI has riplock therefore it is intended to rip slowly because of the affect Hollywood has had on the industry. I don't know why LG has riplock though since many models do not. I hope their pockets were well padded for doing so! An advantage to a slow-ripper is that it could read heavily scratched media better so it doesn't have to be a downfall but it sure upsets all of the piraters . I bought mine at Newegg and the reason it doesn't support scanning is because it has a Panasonic chipset. If you need a drive for scanning then buy a burner with a MediaTek chipset. You can remove riplock by using MCSE and turn it into a really fast ripper but if you are like me you won't want to void your warranty unless your drive is more than a year old. This drive is they best quality burner that I have ever used! This drive is perfect when matched with a fast ripper like I have. I use the Lite-On to rip and the LG to burn and I haven't had a coaster in the year that I have owned them with at least 800, 4.38 GB disks burned from various brands and MID's. Even came across some fake TYG02 (Sonic brand from shop4tech) and it still came out great.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 17 Mar 08 09:52
I've bought this burner on 29/2 and it stopped reading CD's on 13/3. It's really loud, CD reading is as BAD as it can only be - i still need to use my old Teac 8x8x32 recorder to read scratched CD's. Wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 12 May 08 13:17
I just wanted 2 talk about d device,i just got one and it isnot working at all.pls can u tell me what 2 do
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 09 Jun 08 04:08
bought mine 2 weeks ago worked once :S wont read the disks anymore. :c keeps prompting me to put a disk in. oh well next time i will pay the extra money and get a external.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 28 Aug 08 21:22
forgot password
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 29 Dec 08 14:34
I am looking for securdisc 20x internal super multi dvd rewriter gsa-h55n p/n: may 38662808 ver.B thank you
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 03 Feb 09 18:46
this drive sucks I dont know much about computer stuff but my mom puts this hunk of junk on are family computer and it works great for about 3 months but then it starts getting slow and then after warranty is gone it stops reading any disc put in it I would stay away from this product, all I want to do is play my video games and it cant even do that anymoor :c
runerz3
Posts: 3
Posted on: 05 Mar 09 18:59
I have neer burned a DVD before and actually got a new harddrive for my laptop. I have Cyberlink on my laptop with PowerProducer, Power Cinima ND for Everio and Power director express. not usre what they are. I tried copying a DCD and it will not let me because it says CSS PROTECTED, how do I get around it?

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