LightScribe Drives Comparison

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. The media
3. The burners
4. Benefits and Limitations
5. BenQ DW1625 - Page 1
6. BenQ DW1625 - Page 2
7. HP dvd640i - Page 1
8. HP dvd640i - Page 2
9. Philips DVDR16LS - Page 1
10. Philips DVDR16LS - Page 2
11. Writing Quality
12. Conclusion

We received the first bits of information about LightScribe drives from Philips and it turns out, Philips was the first company to release LightScribe burners. As expected, Philips used their former models and simply added LightScribe technology support.

- Features

The DVR16LS can burn DVD+R media up to 16x, DVD+R DL at 2.4x, DVD-R at 8x, and can Re-Write DVD discs at 4x. Advance writing control system is always present to optimize writing performance and improve burning quality.

- Specifications

Storage Media	Access time (typical) : 120ms on CD, 140 ms on DVD Disc capacity : 8.5 GB DVD+R DL,4.7 GB DVD+R/R Mass storage class compliant : yes Recording format : UDF and ISO 9660 Recording media : 8cm CDs (only in hor. pos.), CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R double layer, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW Supported formats : 8cm discs, CD-Audio, CD-Bridge, Stereo out (2 cinch), CD-I, CD-Recordable, CD-Rewritable, CD-ROM, CD-Text, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD/R, DVD/RW, Photo CD Write modes : Disc at once (DAO), Fixed packet, Multi session (MS), Over-burn writing, Packet writing, Raw mode burning, Session at once (SAO), Track at once (TAO), Variable packet Reading speeds : 16x on DVD-ROM, 10x on DVD+R DL, 10x on DVD+R, 10x on DVD+RW, 10x on DVD-R, 10x on DVD-RW, 40x on CD-R, 32x on CD-RW Recording speeds : 16x on DVD+R, 2.4x on DVD+R DL, 8x on DVD-R, 40x CD-R Rewriting speeds : 4x on DVD+RW, 4x on DVD-RW, 24x CD-RW
Connectivity	Other connections : 12 V DC in, Analogue audio left / right out 2x, Master / slave select jumper, IDE interface connector
Convenience	Ease of installation : Plug & Play
Accessories	Included accessories : 4 mounting screws, CD-ROM with software & manual, Quick install guide, User manual, DVD+R 16x blank disc
Software	Ahead Nero Suite 6 : Nero Burning Rom 6, InCD 4, Nero Vision express 2, Nero media Player 1, EasyWrite Reader 4, Nero Burning Rights 1
System Requirements	Hard disc space : 500MB PC OS : Windows 98 SE, 2000, ME, XP Processor : Pentium III 500MHz or faster RAM memory : 128 MB
Dimensions	Product dimension (WxDxH) inch : 20x15x4 cm Product weight : 0.95 kg
Power	Adaptor type : DC 5V/12V Power consumption : 25 W
Technical specifications	Humidity : 5 - 90 %RH (no condensation) Operating temperature range : 5 - 50 °C Safety standards : EN60950, EN60825,UL1950 EMC standards : EN55022, EMS55024,FCC Part 15 Access time : CD: <120msec (typical), DVD: <140msec (typical)

The drive does not support Mount Rainier, cannot read/write DVD-R DL media, and supports bitsetting. Below are the drive's main specs as given by NeroInfoTool and DVDInfoPro:

- Retail Package

The retail package for the DVDR16LS includes more LightScribe media than any other burner on the market. It has three LightScribe CD-R discs, Nero Suite 6.6 (LightScribe Edition), a "How-to" manual, and of course, the burner with all the required screws and cables.

The drive is made in China, and assembled in Belgium. Philips uses the same front panel layout as with all former DVD burners.

For reference reasons, we post the following pictures, but remember that opening the drive's case will void the warranty. You can click on the mainboard picture for a higher resolution image: