The Samsung SH-S203B supports the DVD+R DL/-R DL standard for writing Double Layer/Dual Layer discs with a size around 8.5 GB at a writing speed of 16x for DVD+R DL and 12x for DVD-R DL.

16x DVD+R DL writing test:

We had limited test samples of 16x DVD+R DL media, so to start off our tests, we wrote one disc with CD-Speed at 16x writing speed and tested the resulting disc.

Our test media was a Ricoh 16x DVD+R manufactured media.

The Ricoh DVD+R DL disc was burned successfully in a record breaking 10 minutes and 33 seconds.

Brand:	Ricoh
Manufacturer:	Ricoh
Code:	RICOHJPN D02
Disc Type:	DVD+R DL (made in Taiwan)
Capacity:	8103MB
Certified Speed:	16x
Write Speed:	16x (CAV)
Write Time:	10m:33s
PI-8 errors Average/Sec:	6.20
PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:	0.18
BookType	DVD-ROM

The result is very good.

DVD+R DL:

For these tests we pre-authored several video clips into an image file and burned the resulting image in Nero Burning Rom. We then used the Lite-On LH-20A1P along with KProbe to test the discs quality; we then finally ran a read-back test on our Optiarc AD-7173A using Nero CD-Speed.

Brand:	Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for providing the sample.
Manufacturer:	Mitsubishi Kagaku Media
Code:	MKM 003 (made in Singapore)
Disc Type:	DVD+R DL
Capacity:	8103MB
Certified Speed:	8x
Write Speed:	10x (Z-CLV)
Write Time:	13m:27s
PI-8 errors Average/Sec:	3.22
PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:	0.02
BookType	DVD-ROM

The Samsung SH-S203B burned our 8x rated Verbatim media in 13 minutes and 27 seconds. Writing quality is excellent and the media was burned faster than its rated speed.

Brand:	Ricoh – Thanks to Ricoh Europe for providing the media.
Manufacturer:	Ricoh
Code:	RICOHJPN D01 (made in Taiwan)
Disc Type:	DVD+R DL
Capacity:	8103MB
Certified Speed:	8x
Write Speed:	8x (Z-CLV)
Write Time:	15m:42s
PI-8 errors Average/Sec:	2.13
PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec :	0.06
BookType	DVD-ROM

The Samsung SH-S203B burned our 8x rated Ricoh media in 15 minutes and 42 seconds. Writing quality is very good.

Brand:	Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for providing the sample.
Manufacturer:	Mitsubishi Kagaku Media
Code:	MKM 001 (made in Singapore)
Disc Type:	DVD+R DL
Capacity:	8103MB
Certified Speed:	2.4x
Write Speed:	4x (CLV)
Write Time:	27m:16s
PI-8 errors Average/Sec:	6.81
PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:	0.13
BookType	DVD-ROM

The Samsung SH-S203B burned our 2.4x rated Verbatim media in 27 minutes and 16 seconds. The result is good and the media was burned faster than its rated speed.

DVD-R DL:

Brand:	Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for providing the sample.
Manufacturer:	Mitsubishi Kagaku Media
Code:	MKM 03RD30 (made in Singapore)
Disc Type:	DVD-R DL
Capacity:	8103MB
Certified Speed:	8x
Write Speed:	10x (Z-CLV)
Write Time:	13m:27s
PI-8 errors Average/Sec:	23.61
PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:	0.01
BookType	DVD-R

The Samsung SH-S203B burned our Verbatim 8x media in 13 minutes and 27 seconds. Overall PI errors are quite high but PIF errors are low and we have a perfect read-back test. The result is good considering the disc was burned at faster than its rated speed.

Brand:	Verbatim – Thanks to Verbatim (UK) for providing the sample.
Manufacturer:	Mitsubishi Kagaku Media
Code:	MKM 01RD30 (made in Singapore)
Disc Type:	DVD-R DL
Capacity:	8103MB
Certified Speed:	4x
Write Speed:	4x (CLV)
Write Time:	27m:34s
PI-8 errors Average/Sec:	15.11
PI-1 failures (PIF) Avg/Sec:	0.04
BookType	DVD-R

The Samsung SH-S203B burned our Verbatim 4x rated test media in 27 minutes and 34 seconds. Overall PI errors are high on the first layer but PIF errors are low and we have a perfect read-back test. The result is good but could be improved.

Standalone DVD-Player compatibility:

We only have 3 standalone DVD-Players available and 1 standalone DVD-RAM DVD-R recorder to test the DVD+R DL medias (Book Type: DVD-ROM) and the DVD-R DL media (Book Type: DVD-R):

Panasonic DVD-RV32
Panasonic SA-HT520
Proline DVDP350
Panasonic DMR-E50 recorder

Compatibility results:

All our DVD Standalone devices played the DVD+R DL media burned by the Samsung SH-S203B without any problems.

Only one DVD Standalone device would play the Samsung SH-S203B burned DVD-R DL media without any problems.

We would like to mention, that the compatibility issue with standalone DVD Players/Recorders and the DVD-R DL media format is caused by incompatibilities with the standalone devices used in this review, and not the Samsung SH-S203B or media format used.

Summary:

The Samsung SH-S203B burned our test DVD DL media with record breaking speed and writing quality was excellent to good.

Let’s head onto the next page where we will take a look at DVD-RAM performance…

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

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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Samsung SH-S203B DVD Burner Review

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DVD+R DL/-R DL Writing performance

DVD+R/-R Double Layer writing performance and quality: