Samsung SH-S182D
In the last years, every time somebody asked my advice regarding a DVD writer, I leaned towards recommending Samsung or LG drives. Why? Unfortunately, Yamaha doesn't manufacture optical drives anymore, Plextors are usually too expensive, and they use parts that can be found in much cheaper drives, in most cases, Teac also seems to have disappeared from the market, while some other producers don't really live up to the expectation(I won't give any names). To help you in your quest for the best DVD writer you can get for a decent price, today we'll talk about the Samsung SH-S182D , Samsung's first 18X DVD writer, released almost 2 years ago.
Why such an old model? Well, the answer is simple - because it has been tested already by thousands of users, and the later models inherit most of its strong points. Now, since everyone seems to be looking at the features these days, although less than half are really useful to you during the daily use, here's what Samsung SH-S182D was gifted with, as described by its producer:
- Speed Adjustment Technology
Intelligent detection of media type. Error-free reading of all media types, increases life of drive.
- Double O.P.C. Technology
Provides reliable, zero-error recording.
- Tilt Actuator Compensation Technology
Improves recording capability on deformed media.
- Magic Speed
Enables flexibility of drive operation, low noise mode, high-speed mode.
- Buffer Under Run Free Technology
Prevents Buffer Under Run error, enabling high-speed writing of media.
- Weight Balance System Technology
Mechanically designed for minimal vibration and noise.
- Eco-Product
Minimal Usage of drive operation, low noise mode, high-speed mode.
- Firmware Live Update
Automatically upgrades the latest firmware version through Internet by continued support of newer media.
Maximum write speed for DVD+R and DVD-R media is 18X, but that depends on the discs you are using, of course. The (long!) list of supported disc types is this: DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-ROM/XA, CD-Audio, Video-CD, Photo CD, CD-I(FMV), CD-Extra, CD-TEXT . Nothing out of ordinary, I guess, but it's good to know...
A little problem for those with new computers could be the fact that the Samsung SH-S182D is a IDE drive, so you will have to use those wide cables...or grab a special (and more expensive) rounded IDE cable, of course!
At last, another drawback for some users could be the lack of Lightscribe support. If you ask me, I labeled about 4-5 discs using Lightscribe in the last 2-3 years so, if you don't really need this feature, the Samsung SH-S182D could be a very good choice, especially since the prices are now extremely low, and if your older computer still misses a DVD writer...you know what to do!
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