LG GSA-5163: Top Quality External DVD-Writer - Fast & Flawless!
Written: Sep 07 '05 (Updated Sep 07 '05)
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Pros: Quality, Consistency, Speed, Supports every DVD & CD format in existence!
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended! Top quality, speed, and features, with a trustworthy company and moderate to low-end price tag. You cannot beat this DVD-RW drive.
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| lojack_ii's Full Review: LG GSA-5163D DVD±RW Dual Layer Burner |
This review will tell you how this LG External DVD-RW model has performed for me over the last couple of months as well as how well it works with different blank disk brands and speeds that I have tried thus far.
I was in the market for an EXTERNAL dvd-writer and wasn't afraid to spend a good amount of money to get a trustworthy, consistent, and excellent Audio/Video quality producing product. I actually purchased another DVD-RW by Norwood, which I (very uncharacteristically) purchased on a whim after being told how great it was by the salesperson. I wasn't satisfied with the Norwood and soon found that this LG GSA-5163 received some of the best professional evaluations on the web. My own experience matched those reviews to the T! Here's my perspective:
MY SYSTEM:
I don't have the most loaded computer system in the world to say the least, but this writer works excellently with what I have...so, I would assume that the better your PC is than mine should make the LG work that much better for you (especially in terms of speed)...
Compaq Presario 2120 Notebook
2.25 Ghz AMD XP-Mobile - Windows XP Home
256MB RAM
USB 1.1 (this will make a HUGE difference in your write speed if you have 2.0!)
SOFTWARE BUNDLE = A
You get: Nero Express (which is excellent for basic DVD-writing), InCD, Power Producer Gold, & PowerDVD. This is a pretty large bundle with good very useful programs to make optimal use of your recorder.
FUNCTIONS = A
Allows for writing of every DVD and CD format in existence right now, including DVD-RAM, which is relatively uncommon right now for anything besides the top-priced models. Allows double-layer DVD writing. Has USB 2.0 as well as IEEE 1394 input connections. I've read that it lacks some of the disk quality scanning/checking functions of some other burners, but I don't value this function very much--if the disk doesn't copy well, then there's your hint that it had a problem. Another good feature is that it supports "bitsetting" which is the ability to change the "book-type" of the disk so you can format it to play in whichever player you need it to (ex. DVD-ROM provides the highest compatibility in home DVD-players, whereas some players won't read all DVD /-R's as well). It also has an pin-hole emergency eject button should anything happen that locks the drive (eg. system lock-up, etc.).
DVD-R/DVD+R QUALITY & SPEED = A
First let me say that I have read that it writes DVD+/-R in 5 minutes & 20 seconds and actually was the fastest tested by one hardware review site (www.cdfreaks.com/article/191). For me, with my USB 1.1 and low RAM, I usually get a full DVD+/-R written in about 1h 30min at 16X...about 1h 45min at 8X.
Write quality is superb. Whenever I make multiple copies of originals (non-copyrighted home-owned material of course) they always look identical to the original. Sound comes through at exactly the same format and quality as the original as well. I have written to disks in the following formats only (thus far): DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW...all of these formats provided equally exceptional quality. I have never had a write fail with this drive.
MEDIA COMPATIBILITY = A
So far, every media type that I have used has worked well. I have used: Memorex DVD+R 16X, Memorex DVD-R 8X, and SONY DVD+R 8X. The drive produced excellent DVDs with all types, but if I had to choose one as being the best I would say the Sony DVD+R 8X, but this might just be the disk quality and/or compatibility with my other home players as opposed to what the drive was responsible for.
BUILD & TRUST = A
I trust LG, based on my previous experiences and with their tech support and public praise as an electronics manufacturer. The build of the drive is sturdy (albeit a bit heavier than some--maybe not best for portability), and it has a nice cover lining over the metal which provides a sticky gloss that protects it and also makes it look and feel kind of cool. The connections are secure and not wobbly or loose like some products can have, which is a good sign too.
OVERALL = A
I really love this DVD-writer! It has all the formats you could imagine, many functions, and produces consistently excellent DVDs. Top that off with the fact that it is known as one of the fastest External DVD-RW drives on the market and you have a near perfect product.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 120 (sale)
Operating System: Windows
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Epinions.com ID:
lojack_ii
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Location: Windsor/Detroit
Reviews written: 35
Trusted by: 1 member
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