A Noob who needs to know the difference.......

[VinnieColaiuta]

.............between these two DVD-RW drives from LiteOn.

Lite-On 16X DVD Dual Drive, Model SOHW-1633S Black, OEM

Model# SOHW-1633S BLK
Item # N82E16827106961

Specifications:
Write SpeedVD+R9 2.4X, DVD+R 16X,DVD-R 8X, DVD+RW 4X, DVD-RW 4X, CD-R 48X, CD-RW 24X
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support:MS-Windows 98 / NT4.0 / ME / 2000 / XP
Features: SMART-BURN, SMART-X, VAS system.DVD+R9 2.4X(Double Layer Support)
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details)

.................and this one......................

Lite-On 12X DVD±RW Drive, Model SOHW-1213S BLK, OEM w/ Nero and PowerDVD 5 Software

Model# SOHW-1213S BLK
Item # N82E16827106950

Specifications:
Write Speed: 12X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 8X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 12X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows 98 / NT 4.0 / ME / 2000 / XP
Features: SMART-BURN. SMART-X function. VAS system.
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details)

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Like I said, I'm a newbie to burning DVD's and such, and the main thing I wanted to know is what the advantage is to having a "Dual Drive". What does that mean? What can that feature do with DVD burning? Any help is appreciated.

P.S. - I ordered the first one listed here, which is the Dual Drive figuring that I may as well have it if it has a useful function

 

[Penguinus]

dual-layer support means you can burn twice as much onto a DVD (of course you need to buy dual-layer media, which is ridiculously expensive). Good for copying DVDs and stuff tho.

 

[VinnieColaiuta]

Originally posted by: Penguinus
dual-layer support means you can burn twice as much onto a DVD (of course you need to buy dual-layer media, which is ridiculously expensive). Good for copying DVDs and stuff tho.

So does that mean that I can ONLY buy Dual Layer Media discs for the Dual Layer DVD-RW?? .....or can I use just regular old DVD+/-RW discs as well?

 

[Penguinus]

you're fine with either.

 

[VinnieColaiuta]

*whew*

Good deal.............Thank You!

 

[Shagga]

I have the SOHW-1213S and flashed the firmware with a Sony DRU-710A and it now burns DL at 2.4x

 

[VinnieColaiuta]

Originally posted by: Shagga
I have the SOHW-1213S and flashed the firmware with a Sony DRU-710A and it now burns DL at 2.4x

Ok, so which actually burns faster, or do they both burn at essentially the same speed once you did your firmware? (does the firmware basically convert it into a DL drive?)

 

[Shagga]

Originally posted by: VinnieColaiuta

Originally posted by: Shagga
I have the SOHW-1213S and flashed the firmware with a Sony DRU-710A and it now burns DL at 2.4x

Ok, so which actually burns faster, or do they both burn at essentially the same speed once you did your firmware? (does the firmware basically convert it into a DL drive?)

I think they now both burn the same speed. It is supposed to now burn DVD's at 16x and DL DVD's at 2.4x. I have burnt DL DVD's and it works fine. However, I do not have any 16x media to test it can burn at that speed.

[edit]

I suppose the point I wanted to make although not very clearly is that it would appear that some liteOn drives can just have the Firmware updated to become DL burners as they are DL enabled already. I wonder if it would just be a Firmware update to make the drive a 4 x DL burner when they come out...