Lite-On's first 12X Blu-ray Disc (BD) writer, the iHBS212, will finally hit the European market this month.

This BD writer is capable of recording and playing back today's most popular media formats including Blu-ray, DVD, and CD. Besides writing BD-R Single Layer discs at 12X, the iHBS212 writes Double Layer BD-R media at 8X, and reads BD-ROM discs at 8X as well. Single Layer DVD±R discs can be written at 16X, Double Layer DVD±R at 8X and rewritable discs at 8X (+RW) and 6X (-RW) respectively. The drive reads and writes CD-R at 48X and rewrites CD-RW at 24X.

The iHBS112 incorporates Serial ATA interface and it is designed using a short-loader mechanism for better airflow and a lower noise level. With the included LightScribe technology users can apply laser-etched labels directly onto their LightScribe discs. The iHBS212 is equipped with CyberLink BD Suite, including Blu-ray writing and playback applications.

Featured with the drive is Lite-On?s patented SmartWrite technology for setting the optimum speed of operation, enabling users to "burn and work" simultaneously. Users can run other applications while making a BD, DVD or CD with a minimum risk of failed burns, or creating "coasters". Also included are SmartX technologies, used to adjust data extraction speed, such as decreasing the reading speed when possible to reduce acoustic noise and anti-vibration, and provide smooth and quiet playback.

The iHBS212 is available as retail version from end of June 2010, with MSRP €165. A bulk version of this drive (named iHBS112) is already available, with MSRP €149.