Samsung SH-S203B DVD Burner Review

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Author

Dee
Senior Administrator and Reviewer
Article posted 21 Sep 07 21:15

DVD-R/RW Writing performance

 

DVD-R media compatibility and write quality:

In these tests we will be using a Lite-On LH-20A1P with firmware KL05 along with K-Probe to measure the disc quality. We will also be using the Optiarc AD-7173A with firmware 1-O3 along with CD-Speed for our read-back tests.

 

Brand:

Taiyo Yuden unbranded – Thanks to SVP (UK) for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

Taiyo Yuden

Code:

TYG03 (made in Japan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

20x (CAV)

Write Time:

4m:38s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

4.47

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.02

The result is very good and the media was burned at higher than its rated speed.

Brand:

Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for providing this media.

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Code:

MCC 03RG20 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

18x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:05s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

5.89

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.02

Again the result is good and the media was burned faster than its rated speed.

Brand:

Ricoh – Thanks to Ricoh Europe for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

CMC Magnetics

Code:

CMC MAG AM3 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

18x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:08s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

3.92

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.05

PI errors are slightly elevated at the end of the disc but are well within specification. The disc was also burned at faster than its rated speed and the result is good.

Brand:

TDK

Manufacturer:

TDK

Code:

TTH02 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:41s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

11.91

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.03

PI errors are slightly elevated towards the end of the disc but are well within specification, the result is good.

Brand:

BenQ – Thanks to Daxon (Taiwan) for sending us this media

Manufacturer:

Daxon Inc.

Code:

DAXON 016S (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:40s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

5.89

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.05

There is a single PIF spike, but our read-back test is perfect. The result is good.

Brand:

Pleomax – Thanks to Pleomax (NL)
for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

Opto Disc

Code:

OPTODISCR016 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:42s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

4.78

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.04

The result is good.

Brand:

Taiyo Yuden unbranded – Thanks to SVP (UK) for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

Taiyo Yuden

Code:

TYG02 (made in Japan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

12x (CAV)

Write Time:

7m:26s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

4.23

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.01

The result is excellent considering the disc was burned at higher than its rated speed.

 

Brand:

Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for sending us this media

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Code:

MCC02RG20 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

8x

Write Speed:

12x (CAV)

Write Time:

7m:25s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

2.93

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.01

The result is excellent considering the disc was written faster than its rated speed.

Brand:

Maxell – Thanks to SVP for sending us this media

Manufacturer:

RiTek

Code:

Ritek F1 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-R

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

16x

Write Speed:

16x (CAV)

Write Time:

5m:42s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

21.57

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.04

PI errors are fairly high throughout the disc but are well within specification. PIF errors are reasonably low and we have a perfect read-back test. The result is good.

DVD-RW media compatibility and write quality:

For this test we used the same testing procedures as in our DVD-R tests.

Brand:

Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Code:

MKM01RW6X01 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-RW

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

6x

Write Speed:

6x (Z-CLV)

Write Time:

10m:08s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

20.17

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.02

The result is good.

Brand:

Traxdata – Thanks to Conrexx Europe for sending us this media.

Manufacturer:

RITEK

Code:

RITEK W06 (made in Taiwan)

Disc Type:

DVD-RW

Capacity:

4483MB

Certified Speed:

6x

Write Speed:

6x (CLV)

Write Time:

10m:07s

PI-8 errors Average/Sec:

2.92

PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:

0.07

The result is good.

Summary:

The Samsung SH-S203B has written our DVD-R media with excellent/good quality and wrote selected media at faster than its rated speed. The Samsung SH-S203B also recorded the fastest burn times for DVD-R we have ever seen in the CD Freaks review labs.

Let’s head on to the next page where we will test DVD R DL writing performance and quality……

22 Comments

Ken429
Posts: 36
Posted on: 09 Jan 08 12:42
I bought one based on the article. I have a Pioneer DVR 112D, a Pioneer DVR 110D, A Samsung SH S183L and a Samsung SH-S203B. The two Pioneer's read/rip a pressed DL DVD in 14:30 minutes the Samsung's take 22 minutes to read/rip the same DVD!! I'm using the latest free version of DVDFab Decrypter. What am I missing or what program should I be using to get the Samsung's to rip a a reasonable speed?
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 07 Feb 08 05:16
I'm having some DL burning problems with this drive. At this point, I'm not sure if it is drive, version of Nero or the DL disks. CD-R's or DVD-R's burn okay. No matter what I try, I cannot burn a complete DL disks. Nero randomly generates "Write Error"s. Here's my system, drive and media details: Windows Vista Business (Build 6000) (pre-SP1) Nero Version: 8.0.3.0 Recorder: Version: SB03 - HA 1 TA 0 - 8.0.3.0 Recorder: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S203B, Media type: DVD+R9 Double Layer Disc Manufacturer ID: RITEK, Media Type ID: S04, Product revision number: 66 Disc Application Code: 0, Extended Information Indicators: 3 The disks are branded Memorex 8x DVD+R DL but it appears they were made by RITEK.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 12 Feb 08 11:48
Lawhead, it's most likely because of the disc and not the drive. Ritek DL disks are unreliable. You'd better try Verbatim.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 07 Mar 08 13:23
i too have a problem burning dl disks with this drive. It burned one successfully now all i get is errors when it initializes.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 20 Apr 08 03:26
Should i buy it? :r :g :B
dunk01
Posts: 1
Posted on: 01 May 08 20:07
Is there a samsung external equivalent to the SH-S203B ?
thedamager
Posts: 4
Posted on: 06 May 08 03:27
@dunk01 SH-S203N, SH-S203P, with P being a replacement for N, no big difference.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 16 May 08 04:01
Re Samsung SH-S203B: Anyone know where I can buy the retail version? All I see on the net is the OPEM version. Thanks for your assistance
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 16 May 08 19:39
what's the differens between SH-203B , SH-203S , SH-203P , SH-203D, SH-203N ?
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 17 May 08 02:49
Anyone know where I can purchase the RETAIL version of this Samsung SATA DVD/CD burner (SH-S203B)? I'm engaged in a new build and my mobo (DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS) has lots of capabilities for SATA drives but looks like only one connection for an EIDE drive. Thanks
Joe R
Posts: 37
Posted on: 18 May 08 16:02
Just got mine yesterday. It rips big files at 12x and writes 16x blanks at 20 x I've not tried dl dvd's yet. Joe
This message was edited at: 18-05-2008 16:03
jimboh1979
Posts: 2
Posted on: 27 May 08 19:58
want one just for single layer burning its the fastest ive seen
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 02 Jul 08 19:14
I just wanna know... is it lightscribe compatible???
mightymouse
Posts: 3
Posted on: 03 Jul 08 01:49
I have had a SH-S203B,firmware SB03 since Feb. Worked great ,burning almost any media. Today I tried to burn a 133meg file to a cd-r, no go. Tried it with a DVD-R, no go. If I look in MY COMPUTER it shows the drive as a DVD-RAM drive. As soon as I load a blank DVD or CD, it changes to CD-ROM. I have tried rebooting, uninstalling and reinstalling the drive, let windows detect, same thing. I can still view files on CD's or DVD's, and watch DVD movies, but I can't get it to burn now. I have tried burning just using win xp, and it won't work. Anyone have any Ideas?
mightymouse
Posts: 3
Posted on: 03 Jul 08 01:51
I have had a SH-S203B,firmware SB03 since Feb. Worked great ,burning almost any media. Today I tried to burn a 133meg file to a cd-r, no go. Tried it with a DVD-R, no go. If I look in MY COMPUTER it shows the drive as a DVD-RAM drive. As soon as I load a blank DVD or CD, it changes to CD-ROM. I have tried rebooting, uninstalling and reinstalling the drive, let windows detect, same thing. I can still view files on CD's or DVD's, and watch DVD movies, but I can't get it to burn now. I have tried burning just using win xp, and it won't work. Anyone have any Ideas? Sorry for the dbl post. dunno why it did that
This message was edited at: 03-07-2008 01:59
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 07 Jul 08 19:38
I have the exact same problem... can't burn with CloneDVD to either my LG GSA-H73N or my Samsung SH-S203B... for the exact same reasons. Changes from CD-ROM to DVD-RAM and CloneDVD 2.9.1.9 can't handle it. My older version of Nero 6.6 burns without a hitch. So I rip with one set of software, burn with another. It'a a major pain but at least I can burn something. :g
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 09 Jul 08 04:15
I have narrowed it down to a problem with built in Imapi support in WinXP, I think. I tried to install an old copy of Nero 5.5, but the install fails. Says I have an older version on the computer. I have searched every folder on the HD, and checked the registry. No Nero found /shrug.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 09 Jul 08 23:16
@mightymouse, maybe try c-cleaner.com. I have a 203p, when i burn a audio cd around one in three tracks are unreadable in most cd player. i hope a driver update will fix it
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 10 Jul 08 05:47
@mightymouse try nero clean tool then reinstall nero application.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 11 Jul 08 01:53
I tried Nero clean , didn't work. I did a system restore back to right before I installed win xp SP3. All seemed to be working. I installed Deepburner software, and it seemed to burn, but after the disc was ejected, and put back in, nothing was on the disc. I can see the rings on the back of the disc where it looks like it burned, but the disc shows empty in win explorer. Gonna RMAthe drive back to newegg and hope the next one lasts longer.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 03 Jan 09 11:11
I have this drive. It burns any type of media without problems. I've tried burning DL media when I got this drive and out of a box of 5 it burned 3 successfully but 2 were coasters. After that, burning DL media is just a lot of grief. This drive is definitely a major disappointment when it comes to burning DL. If you are in the market for a DL burner I recommend you look elsewhere.
guest
Posts: 15284
Posted on: 11 Feb 09 02:05
i got the samsung sh-s203 dvd driver from circut city and the software dvd is no good i tried 2 return but they are going out off bussness i need the application software & user manual with the nero version please help just want the dvd cd

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