Samsung SH-W162L DVD-Writer Review

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Article index

Introduction

Features

Reading performance

CD-R/RW Writing performance

DVD+R/RW Writing performance

DVD-R/RW Writing performance

DVD+R DL/-R DL Writing performance

LightScribe

Advanced tests

Conclusion

Author

Jan70
Senior Administrator: Article posted 14 May 06 15:25

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Introduction

Review: Samsung SH-W162L
Reviewer: Jan70
Provided by: Samsung Germany
Firmware: TS01 ‘“ TS03
Manufactured: October 2005

Samsung Germany was kind enough to send us the SH-W162L for review. In this review we will be seeing how this drive from one the world’s largest electronics manufacturers performs in our tests.

The Samsung SH-W162L supports 16x DVD±R, 8x/6x DVD+RW/-RW, and 8x/4x DVD+R DL/-R DL writing technology, allowing Double/Dual Layer discs of 8.5Gb to be written. This drive is also the first drive from Samsung that supports LightScribe direct disc labelling.

Company information:

We are sure that most of you know Samsung already, but let us take a look at some of the company information found at: www.samsungoms-europe.com

As a world leader in the field of digital media, Samsung Electronics produces Optical Disc Drives (ODD) since 1994. In the past few years Samsung was able to take a central market position in this field.

With subsidiaries all over Europe and a large part of the former USSR, Samsung Europe can offer the consumer a complete selection of disc drives, for all types of computers.

With large and continuous investments in research and development Samsung is able to be more and more at the forefront of disc drive technology.

As one of the first companies developing COMBO drives (DVD-ROM and CD-RW combined in one disc drive), Samsung is a frontrunner in this technology.

In the field of slim-line technologies, Samsung is expanding the line-up, in order to meet the demands of the market for desktop and notebook PCs.

Samsung offers a wide range of Optical Disc Drives, allowing customers to choose the exact combination of capabilities and features. Our products feature the latest noise suppression technologies. If you are looking for a high performance Optical Drive, you need look no further than Samsung.

If you are interested in reading more company information, please visit: www.samsungoms-europe.com

Drive specifications:

Now let us take a look at the specifications of the Samsung SE-W162L, found at Samsungs website:

Features

DVD±R/RW Drive is a new innovative product which provides powerfull data storage
Lead free: Eco-product
Magic Speed Function: Able to choose the reading speed for the best PC environment
Double Layer DVD+R 5x, DVD-R 4x
Double OPC (Optimum Power Control) Technology
SAT: Automatically adjusts the speed optimized for the disc quality
Tilt Actuator Compensation Technology
Buffer Under Run Free Technology
LightScribe – direct disc labeling technology
Disc labeling time:
best: 30 min.
normal: 18 min.
draft: 13 min.

Specifications

Data Transfer Rate Read CD: 7.2 MB/sec (48x)
Data Transfer Rate Read DVD: 21.6 MB/sec (16x)
Data Transfer Rate Write on DVD-R: 21,600 KB/sec (16x)
Data Transfer Rate Write on DVD+R: 21,600 KB/sec (16x)
Data Transfer Rate Write on DVD-RW: 8,100 KB/sec (6x)
Data Transfer Rate Write on DVD+RW: 10,800 KB/sec (8x)
Double Layer: 5x (write), 8x (read)
Burst Transfer Rate PIO Mode 4: (16.6 MB/sec)
Burst Transfer Rate Ultra DMA Mode 2: (33.3 MB/sec)
Recording Capacity CD-RW Disc: 4,800 KB/sec (32x)
Recording Capacity CD-R Disc: 7,200 KB/sec (48x)
Average Seek Time DVD-ROM: 130ms
Average Seek Time CD-ROM: 110ms
Drive Type: Intern
Interface: EIDE / ATAPI
Dimensions (WxHxDmm): 148.2 x 42 x 184
Buffer Memory: 2MB
Supported Disc: DVD+R, DVD+R DI, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-R DI, DVD-RW, DVD-Video, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-ROM/XA, CD-Audio, VideoCD, CD-I(FMV), Photo CD, CD-EXTRA, CD-TEXT, LightScribe DVD+/-R, LightScribe CD-R

What’s inside the box?

In this section we will take a look at what the drive came shipped with and take a look at the drive and its technology.

Front

Back

Top

Bottom

Left Side

Right Side

Below you will see the contents of the retail box:

The drive supplied was the retail version. As we can see the drive is supplied with software, IDE cable, Audio cable, instructions and fixing screws.

Now it’s time to take a look at the drive itself:

The bezel of the Samsung SH-W162C is pleasingly styled. We can see an emergency eject hole, a single green coloured LED for read and write (we prefer a different led colour though for writing) and an eject button. The logos include the LightScribe logo, the WritemasterTM logo, the SAMSUNG logo, a DVD Forum DVD-R/RW logo, a DVD Alliance DVD+ReWritable logo and a CD-RW High Speed+ logo.

Top

On the top side of the drive we found one sticker and we can read it was made in the Philippines ‘“ October 2005.

Underside

Left/Right Side

On the back of the drive starting from the left, we can see a digital audio connector; analogue audio connector; pins and jumper to set the drive to cable select, slave or master; IDE connector and finally the power connector.

We installed the drive without any problems and here is a screenshot from Nero InfoTool:

From the screenshot of Nero InfoTool above, we miss Mt.Rainier support and a larger buffer size. Our drive came shipped with firmware TS01, but was later updated with firmware TS02 and TS03.

Another shot from Nero Burning ROM:

But let us continue this review and see how it really performs.

On the next page we will take a look at the test machine, the software, the drive features…………

Features

3 Comments

guest: Posts: 15288; Posted on: 25 Nov 07 15:49

:r So Cooooooooool.

nouska: Posts: 1; Posted on: 06 Feb 08 20:26

Hey there! I have this drive, and tried to change the booktype in several ways. also in the way described above. It never seems to work, how come? PLEAAASSE HELP ME!! :c

guest: Posts: 15288; Posted on: 29 Nov 08 15:05

This Drive is junk. Very picky with media and will fail way to quick. Stay away from Samsung Toshiba. I paid $200 for a $10 drive.

Samsung SH-W162L DVD-Writer Review

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