LiteOn SOHW-1653SX

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Transfer Rate Reading Tests
3. DVD Error Correction Tests
4. Reading 90/ 99mins AudioCDs
5. CD Recording Tests
6. C1 / C2 Error Measurements
7. Writing Quality Tests - Clover System Tests
8. DVD Recording Test
9. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 1
10. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 2
11. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 3
12. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 4
13. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 5
14. Writing Quality Tests - Almedio AEC-1000
15. DVD+R DL - Page 1
16. DVD+R DL - Page 2
17. BookType Setting
18. Conclusion

We recently received from LiteOn, their 1653SX (eXternal), the well known 16X/12X DL recorder. The 1653SX (as it is labeled on the back of the drive's case ), uses a 1653S drive with the only significant change being that of the interface where internally it is an IDE drive with an external USB 2.0 interface. We put the drive through some of the error correction and protected game tests and no difference between this model and the internal one were noted. So we will not be reviewing the drive fully, but instead we will only be testing some of its reading capabilities as well as of course its writing potential, which are the tests that might produce different results due to the external interface and possibly firmware. The tests that are not included in this review but refer to the same IDE version of the drive can be found here.

The 1653SX can write up to 16X with DVD+R media, up to 12X with DVD-R media, and 4X with DVD+RW and -RW. It can also write DL media up to 4X burning speed.

- Features

This LiteOn release follows the same pattern as other LiteOn drives regarding features, including the well known Smart-Burn which helps avoid Buffer Under Run Errors and Smart-X technology.

- Specifications

Model	16X DVD Dual Drive with Double Layer Writing
Interface:	High Speed USB 2.0
Data Buffer Memory	2MB
Data Transfer Rate (max)
DVD+R Writing	16X
DVD+R DL Writing	4X
DVD+RW Rewriting	4X
DVD-R	12X
DVD-RW Rewriting	4X
DVD-ROM Reading	16X
CD-R Writing	48X
CD-RW Rewriting	24X
CD-ROM Reading	48X
Random Access Time	120ms
Support Media for Reading	DVD : DVD Single/dual layer (PTP, OTP), DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R DL (8.5GB)
Support Media for Reading	CD : All CD-ROM/R/RW formats
Installation Angle	Horizontal/Vertical
Audio Specification
Line output level	0.85±0.15 Vrms
S/N Ratio	75dB
Environment
Temperature	Operating: 5°C to 45°C
Temperature	Storage: -20°C to 60°C
Humidity	Operating: 15-80% ( Non-condensation)
Compatibility	Windows 98 SE/ME/XP/2000
Physical Dimensions
WxHxD	165 x 58 x 192mm
Weight	1.3kg (drive only)

Below are the drive's main specs as given by NeroInfoTool and DVDInfoPro:

The drive uses the RPC II region control, allowing a user to change the drive's region at most 5 times. In our case we had already set it to Region Code 2. However, since this is a LiteOn drive, you can set the drive to region free using several readily available utilities.