In House Review - LG GSA-4120B Super-Multi DVD±RW/RAM

[Ian]

To kick off the week, CDRLabs brings you an in depth look at LG's new "Super-Multi" drive, the GSA-4120B. With this new drive, LG has taken the concept of the multi format DVD writer to the next level, giving it support for all major DVD formats, including DVD+R DL and DVD-RAM. The GSA-4120B also features an impressive list of specs including 12x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R and 4x DVD±RW writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. On top of that, it can read and write to DVD-RAM media at 5x, the fastest speed currently available.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the GSA-4082B and see how it compares to some of the DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does LG's new "Super-Multi" drive have what it takes? Is it the fastest DVD writer around? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=234]
LG GSA-4120B Super-Multi DVD±RW/RAM [/url]

As usual, if you have any comments or questions about this review or the LG GSA-4120B, please post them in the forum using the link provided below.

[dolphinius_rex]

Well done review!

Still would prefer if there was a secondary testing device and transfer rate tests for the quality testing of media burned in the drive... but I understand the time issue on this one (I understand it all too well!)

Interesting results on the newer 8x Ritek media... not unexpected though! The stuff is utter crap!

[digitaldoc]

The Memorex CMC media performed as expected also with more errors than the better media. A very well done review of a decent drive. I can't say I'm dying to have one.

[Ian]

A102 firmware is officially available:

http://au.lgservice.com/jsp/common/down ... 120A102(EW).zip&FILE_GUBUN=B

[vsekh]

Great review Ian. Though I expected the 12x burns on the dvd+r media to take about 7.5 minutes.

I was going to either buy this burner or the Plextor PX-712a. I ended up getting the Plextor since I do not plan on buying any DL media with the prices so high. Plus, I decided to stick with Plextor since the PX-708a worked great for me. The PX-712a has worked great for me so far burning at 12x speed on 8x dvd+r media with 06:17 time for a complete dvd.

[pranav81]

Nice review Ian.


::Pranav::

[zArt]

Great review, i´ve been expecting it to influence my buying decision
If the Benq 1600 doesn't appear around here by the end of the month the
LG 4120 will be my choice.

Thanks Ian.

[CAG]

I'm pretty much of a noob at these things and I have a couple of questions. Ian said in the conclusion of his review that (1) you could not set the "book type", and (2) the player does not support the Mt. Rainier format.

1. I assume it has something to do with playing the DVD on a DVD player but what is a "book type"?

2. What is the Mt. Rainier format?

Thanks,

CAG

[Decel]

1. I assume it has something to do with playing the DVD on a DVD player but what is a "book type"?

Anyone please correct me if i'm wrong (I'm semi-newb)
But AFAIK, book type is info on the disc that tells the player/reader what type of disc it is.

Some older players will read a DVD+R disc and say something like : "What the heck is this thing? Did the 4yr old kid put some peanut butter in my drive again?" IE: they don't support it.

Now with book type, you can burn a DVD+R and change the type to DVD-ROM, so now the player will read the DVD+R thinking it's a DVD-ROM and be less "anal" about it.

If you want the technical info though, ask some veteran...

[CAG]

Thanks Decel. Appreciate the quick response. So I guess if you have a player that will play back DVD+ media, you don't need to set the book type.

EDIT: I just searched CDRLabs and they have a FAQ about it here

[Ian]

Thanks Decel. Appreciate the quick response. So I guess if you have a player that will play back DVD+ media, you don't need to set the book type.

Yes and no. While some might play back DVD+R, there might be a smaller percentage that won't play DVD+R DL. Setting the book type to DVD-ROM usually fixes the problem in both cases.

[CAG]

Thanks Ian. One last question...I just got a new Sony DVD player which plays all of the DVD formats. Will it (or should it) also play the DVD DL format as well?

Thanks,

CAG

[Ian]

I have no idea, but someone else might. What model is it?

[CAG]

Its a Sony DVP-NC665P.

[Scour]

Hello!

Great review of a great writer, Ian

The overall writing-quality was still good and better than the review in the c´t-magazine, that´s a good news

[raygay27]

my small personal account using LG 12x can be read here also.something to compliment Ian's great review.

[Kennyshin]

Finally out. Another example of perfect ODD review.

Cannot write to 4x DVD±R media at 8x
Cannot set the book type
Has a 2048KB buffer
Doesn't support the Mt. Rainier format
Doesn't include any blank media

Pity LG could have fixed all of the five lows easily.

Anyone who wants bitsetting firmware for GSA-4120B, get one from me but you have to blame only yourself for anything that happens. As it is not an official firmware from LG, the flashing voids the warranty. However, none of my GSA-4120B will be retail products anyway. I'm either buying sample drives or back-imported drives that LG Electronics in South Korea will never provide support. They even say using the Korean-language versions of their firmware on LG sites is probihibited for drives meant for export. Since export price is usually half of the domestic price, some merchants distribute them to domestic South Korean consumers at about 30% to 50% lower prices than "DOM" drives. I have three DL drives now on my PC but I'll have more.

As for not being a Plextor killer, perhaps Plextor drives are meant for different market segments. I would rather have two GSA-4120B for the price of one PX-712A.