CDRLabs.com

Today CDRLabs takes a long overdue look at Lite-On's 16x DVD±RW, the SHW-1635S. While affordably priced, the drive features some pretty impressive specs. The SHW-1635S is capable of 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R DL and 4x DVD-R DL writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Lite-On's drive also includes features like 48x CD reading and writing speeds, 24x rewriting speeds, and support for their SMART-BURN and SMART-X technologies.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the SHW-1635S and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the SHW-1635S have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=280]
Lite-On SHW-1635S 16x DVD±RW[/url]

As usual, the Digital Dolphin has gone the extra mile when it comes to media testing. If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Lite-On SHW-1635S, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.

Hello!

Wow, what a big review, many media tested

Some results real impressed me, like with MCC03Rg20, TYG02/03

On the other hand, not very impressive results on ProdiscF02, RitekF1, CMC MAG AE1, even with MCC004. I know many ppl think that F02 or F1 is not good media, but i saw some impressive results with it, when Benq, pioneer or LG-writers were used.

And the jitter, omg, is very high in some cases, max. over 15%

So my conclusion is, this writer is not to recommend.

@DD, do u have all the non-Plextor-scans somewhere on your HDD ?

Believe it or not, this thing actually performed better than I thought it would. This thing is terrible 16X burner, but an "ok" 8X one. Jitter, more times than not, is terrible, too.

Scour wrote:@DD, do u have all the non-Plextor-scans somewhere on your HDD ?

But of course

Anyone wanting a copy of the images can PM me with the e-mail address they want them sent to. Please remember there are a LOT of images!! (so have lot's of space)

[buck] wrote:Believe it or not, this thing actually performed better than I thought it would. This thing is terrible 16X burner, but an "ok" 8X one. Jitter, more times than not, is terrible, too.

I forgot to mention the massive PIF-clusters with many media, awful

@DD

U have a mail

I've been looking forward to this review!

Unlike Scour, I sleep at night, so I haven't had a chance to read it yet (and Tuesday evening is booked otherwise). Maybe I can sneak some time at work.

D_R: you know my e-mail address, please send me the scans (I think I've seen some already in connection with DIP).

G

MediumRare wrote:Unlike Scour, I sleep at night

Sleep? Tell me, what is that like??

dolphinius_rex wrote:

MediumRare wrote:Unlike Scour, I sleep at night

Sleep? Tell me, what is that like??

i used to be that way too.
just wait till you have a baby...

Ut in omnibus glorificatur Deus = That in all things, God may be glorified ?
what is this? what does it mean?
is it something Catholics write at then end of things they write ?

dodecahedron wrote:Ut in omnibus glorificatur Deus = That in all things, God may be glorified ?
what is this? what does it mean?
is it something Catholics write at then end of things they write ?

Not just catholics. And trust me, after months and months of fighting with a drive, you THANK GOD that it's done

LOL.
interesting, i did not know about this.

Jewes have a similar thing (in Hebrew at least). all religious people write at the top of every page they write an acronym בס"ד (BSD) which stands for Besiata Deshmaya which is Aramaic for Thank Heaven, Thanks to God or something like that.

Just to let people know, I've begun some additional testing on the SHW-1635S, as I've just been given a new firmware with support for HyperTuning.

So I finally got time to read it. Great review, exhaustive media tests as usual. There were some typos and other inconsistencies- I put them in a PM.

I do hope that the new Hypertuning will be able to help with this drive. The way it is now, it's a good 8x drive. I'd already read at CDFreaks that HT will be available for the 5S series as well as the 6S. It sure helps with the 165P6S, and some spectacular results with developer firmware versions show that a lot can be done for the burning quality.

Do you have a test of the 165P6S in the works? (The 6S series of CD burners were among the best anyone ever built- but I guess it's just a number here).

G

Nothing on the 165P6S yet unfortunately, but I have to say I'm curious to try it out, after seeing some of what HyperTuning can do.

I'll work on those Typo's

I have the 165P6S. I should be testing it now, but I've been working with Sony to fix a bunch of problems in their new drive.

Here are some examples of the latest results from the LiteON SHW-1635S:

Here are the results for Acro Circle 8x DVD-Rs with TYG02 MID code (I figured a mismatched MID to disc would be a good first test )

More results with Hyper tuning Off and on

This drive is looking pretty good with HyperTuning, but it's still pretty average in the grand scheme of things imo.

More Hyper Tuning tests

One more Hyper tuning test

Hyper tuning appears to significantly reduce the drive's problem with jitter. I've got a lot of hope for future firmwares and models from LiteON if this is what we can expect from them in the future.

FYI, I've tried using HyperTuning on DVD+RDL media, and it's a VERY bad idea. Ritek DVD+RDL burned "ok" without hyper tuning, but had POF errors in some places when Hyper Tuning was used.

Hello!

Some media burns better, with decreased jitter, but some media burn more worse. I think Liteon have some work to do

Scour wrote:Hello!

Some media burns better, with decreased jitter, but some media burn more worse. I think Liteon have some work to do

Well, if you keep away from DVD+RDL media, MOST media will burn better. I'd go so far as to say that HyperTuning should be activated as the default on the drive even. However I'm also happy to see that LiteON has put significant efforts into the drive's firmware even WITHOUT the Hyper Tuning turned on.

I have to say, I have a lot more faith in LiteON's ability to dig themselves out of the giant hole they've created for themselves. If they keep up their efforts, they may become even second to BenQ in compatability, and possibly even overall quality! (and anyone who thinks I'm exaggerating BenQ's abilities should take a look at the most voted drives 3 months running).

Great review

U are one one the guys who have more media to test than me

Overall, I not recommend any LiteOn DVD-writers, because over 8x-speed looks mostly worse, the competitors do better, IMHO