|
|
Review: Lite-On LH-20A1L ADVERTISEMENT
|
Lite-On was kind enough to send us the Lite-On LH-20A1L for review. In this review we will be seeing how this drive from one the world's most respected electronics manufacturers performs in our tests.
The Lite-On LH-20A1L supports 20x DVD±R, 8x/6x DVD+RW/-RW, and 8x DVD+R/DL-R DL writing technology, allowing Double/Dual Layer discs of 8.5Gb to be written. In addition this drive also supports DVD-RAM at 12x. LightScribe direct to disc labelling is also supported.
Company Information
Let us take a look at some of the company information found at the Lite-On (Europe) Website:
Lite-On IT Corporation is part of the Taiwanese Lite-On Group, which consists of nine consolidated companies. Lite-On Group is a world leading company in digital convergence (3C: Computer, Communications, and Consumer electronics) employing 35,000 people worldwide. Lite-On Group has 45 factories, 29 branch offices, and 4 R&D centers worldwide and generated total revenue of 6 Billion USD in 2004.
The roots of Lite-On IT lie in Taipei, Taiwan, where Lite-On Electronics Inc. was founded in 1975. Back then the core business consisted of production of clock-display LEDs. Because LED (Light Emitting Diode) formed the mainstay of Lite-On in the early years, the English word "Light" inspired the corporate name.
In the twenty years that followed, Lite-On gradually expanded its business throughout the Asian Pacific region to become a respected Taiwanese manufacturer with various established subsidiaries that form Lite-On Group today.
Company Profile
Lite-On IT started of as a business unit within Lite-On Technology Corporation in 1995. By that time the market for Optical Disc Drives (ODD) was growing very fast, and to be able to play a significant role in this, Lite-On Technology decided to establish a dedicated business unit to produce high quality CD-ROM drives. A large manufacturing facility was established in China to meet all demands and Lite-On soon became Taiwan’s biggest CD-ROM drive manufacturer, and number three worldwide.
Due to the growing success in the ODD market, Lite-On IT transformed from a relatively small business unit to an independent subsidiary of Lite-On Group, producing over 1 million drives per month. In 1999, the foundation of Lite-On IT Corporation as the youngest member of the Lite-On Group was a fact. Besides headquarters in Taipei, branch offices were established in the United States (California) and Europe (The Netherlands).
In the years to follow, Lite-On IT continued its growth in the ODD business, by setting extensive distribution networks in Europe and the United States. With the introduction of more ODD products, like CD-RW, DVD-ROM, COMBO and DVD-RW drives, Lite-On IT increased it’s production from 1 million drives per month in 1999, to no less then 5 million drives per month in 2005. With this unique achievement Lite-On IT became the world’s second biggest ODD manufacturer.
Recognizing the convergence between computers and digital consumer electronics, Lite-On IT is now expanding its business making full use of its knowledge and core-technology in the ODD industry. In 2003 Lite-On introduced its first DVD recorder. With this product, the company made a successful entry in the consumer electronics market. Nowadays, Lite-On IT is not only aiming to provide high quality and high performance IT products, but also high-tech digital audio-video appliances. With more digital consumer products to follow in the future, Lite-On IT is resolute to become a worldwide supplier of digital solutions that promise to illuminate everyone’s life.
Historic Timeline Lite-On IT Corporation
1995 Founded as a business unit in Lite-On Technology Corporation
1997 Opening of production facility in China
1998 No. 1 CD-ROM Manufacturer in Taiwan & No.4 Worldwide
Opening of branch offices in USA and Europe
1999 Production capacity over 1 Million per Month
Spin-off from Lite-On Technology Corporation as
Lite-On IT Corporation
No. 3 CD-ROM Manufacturer Worldwide
2001 Lite-On IT becomes a public listed company
Production capacity over 2 Million per Month
2002 Production Capacity over 3 Million per Month
Slim type Combo starts production
Foundation of business unit “Digital Consumer"
2003 Production Base moves from SJP to GZP (Science Park)
Production capacity over 4 Million per Month
DVD-Rewriter starts production
Launch of first Lite-On DVD Recorder
2005 Production capacity over 5 Million pieces per Month
2006 Opening of regional office in Germany
Lite-On IT becomes No. 2 ODD Manufacturer Worldwide
Management Philosophy
Vision
Lite-On leads the way in 3C convergence, bringing computers, communications, and consumer electronics together to expand the reach and value of technology, to foster new opportunities, and to ensure continued business success.
Our vision is maintained by the core values of our management philosophy:
Quality
High quality standards are the core of every activity and lead to customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Integrity
Integrity fosters trust. We place great value on creating technologies that incorporate the human touch.
Innovation
We honour the spirit of innovation while striving to be creative and responsive to customer needs. This in turn helps strengthen our competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
For more information about the core values of Lite-On Group, please refer to the corporate website: http://www.liteon.com/
Drive Specifications
We found the specifications of the Lite-On LH-20A1L at the Lite-On website
What’s inside the box
Now it’s time to take a look at the drive itself and what the drive came shipped with.
Our package was the bulk version and contained the Lite-On LH-20A1L drive, fixing screws, software CD-ROM, and manual.
Now let’s take a look at the drive.
The bezel of the Lite-On LH-20A1L is nicely styled. We can also see various logos including the LightScribe logo, an emergency eject hole, single green LED and an eject button.
Drive top
Drive bottom
On the bottom of the drive we found two labels and we can see the drive was manufactured in China during August 2007.
On the rear of the drive we can see a SATA power and data connector.
Now let’s head on to the next page were we can take a look at the features of the drive….
