Lite-On SOHW-812S DVD Writer

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Lite-On SOHW-812S

OEM:Lite-On
Chipset:Mediatek

40xCDR CAV
24xCDRW ZCLV
8xDVD-R ZCLV
4xDVD-RW CLV
~~DVD-RDL~~
8xDVD+R ZCLV
4xDVD+RW CLV
~~DVD+RDL~~
~~DVD-RAM~~

~~BD-R~~
~~BD-RE~~
~~BD-R DL~~
~~BD-RE DL~~
~~HDDVD-R~~
~~HDDVD-RW~~
~~HDDVD-RDL~~
~~HDDVD-RWDL~~
~~HDDVD-RAM~~

40xCD
12xDVD
~~BDROM~~
~~HDDVD~~

EIDE, 2MB
BitSetting
More info

$150

7.4/10
28 votes
Read 45
comments
(75262 views)

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DVD Media comments for this DVD Writer (click on the link to read the comments):
1 01ne 8xDVD+R (MCC.....003) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Agiler 4xDVD-R (VDSPMSAB 01.) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Agptek 4xDVD-R (VDSPMSAB 01.) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Alpha Tec 4xDVD-R (VDSPMSAB 01.) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 BenQ 4xDVD+R (DAXON...AZ1) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 BenQ 8xDVD+R (DAXON...AZ2) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 BenQ 4xDVD-R (SONY04D1....) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Bulkpaq 4xDVD-R (PRINCO......) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
2 Bulkpaq 8xDVD+R (PRODISC.R03) comments, 0 good, 2 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Bulkpaq 8xDVD-R (TYG02.......) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Commodore 4xDVD+R (AML.....001) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 CompUSA 4xDVD+R (OPTODISCOR4) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Databank 4xDVD+R (RICOHJPNR01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Datamart 4xDVD-R (AN31........) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Datasafe Media 4xDVD-R (RITEKG04....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Datawrite Titanium 8xDVD-R (CMC MAG. AE1) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Dupsonic 4xDVD-R (VANGUARD....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 EMTEC 4xDVD-R (OPTODISCR004) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 EMTEC 4xDVD+R (RICOHJPNR01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Fortis 8xDVD+R (OPTODISCOR8) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Fujifilm 4xDVD-R (FUJIFILM02..) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Fujifilm 8xDVD-R (ProdiscF01..) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Fujifilm 4xDVD-R (ProdiscS03) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Fujifilm 4xDVD+RW (RICOHJPNW11) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Fujifilm 8xDVD+R (YUDEN000T02) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Generic/Unbranded 4xDVD-R (VDSP.SAB 01.) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Generic/Unbranded 4xDVD-R (Yi Jhan 001.) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Generic/Unbranded 8xDVD+R (YUDEN000T02) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Gigatain 8xDVD+R (RITEK...R03) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 GQ (Great Quality) 4xDVD-R (LEADDATA01..) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Imation 4xDVD-R (CMC MAG. AF1) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Imation 4xDVD+R (CMC MAG.F01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Imation 8xDVD-R (ProdiscS04) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
2 Imation 4xDVD+R (RICOHJPNR01) comments, 2 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Imation i-Pro 4xDVD+R (OPTODISCOR4) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Intact 8xDVD-R (ProdiscF01..) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 KHypermedia 8xDVD+R (CMC MAG.E01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Kodak 4xDVD+R (PRODISC.R03) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
2 Laser 4xDVD-R (SKC Co.,Ltd.) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 2 poor.
1 Laser 4xDVD-R (VANGUARD....) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
2 Maxell 4xDVD+R (MAXELL..001) comments, 2 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Maxell 4xDVD+R (RICOHJPNR01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Maxell 4xDVD-R (RITEKG04....) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Melody 4xDVD+R (INFOME..R20) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
2 Memorex 8xDVD-R (CMC MAG. AE1) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Memorex 4xDVD-R (CMC MAG. AF1) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
2 Memorex 8xDVD+R (CMC MAG.E01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Memorex 2xDVD-RW (CMCW02......) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Memorex 2.4xDVD+RW (INFODISCA01) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
2 Memorex 8xDVD+R (PRODISC.R03) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
3 Memorex 4xDVD-R (ProdiscS03) comments, 1 good, 2 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Memorex 4xDVD+RW (RICOHJPNW11) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Memorex 4xDVD-R (RITEKG04....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Memorex 8xDVD-R (RITEKG05....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Memorex 2xDVD-RW (RITEKW01....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Mitsumi 4xDVD+R (MCC.....003) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Mr. Platinum 4xDVD-R (NANYA-JC001) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Muller 8xDVD+R (YUDEN000T02) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Optodisc 4xDVD-R (OPTODISCR004) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Philips 4xDVD+RW (INFODISCA10) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Philips 4xDVD+RW (PHILIPS.041) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Platinet Media 16xDVD+R (MBIPG101R05) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
5 Princo 4xDVD-R (PRINCO......) comments, 3 good, 0 mixed, 2 poor.
1 Prodye 4xDVD-R (Plasmon1a...) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Prodye 8xDVD-R (POMS3A......) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Prodye 4xDVD-R (POMS3A......) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
2 Raxon 4xDVD-R (AML.........) comments, 2 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 RiData 4xDVD+R (RITEK...R03) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 RiData 8xDVD+R (RITEK...R03) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 RiData 4xDVD-R (RITEKG04....) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
3 RiData 8xDVD-R (RITEKG05....) comments, 3 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Ritek 4xDVD+R (RITEK...R02) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Ritek 4xDVD-R (RITEKG04....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Ritek Excellent 8xDVD+R (RICOHJPNR02) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
2 SmartBuy 8xDVD+R (PRODISC.R03) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Sonic 2xDVD-R (LONGTEN 001.) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Sonic 4xDVD-R (Yi Jhan 001.) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Sony 8xDVD+R (SONY....D11) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Sony 16xDVD+R (SONY....D21) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Sony 1xDVD-RW (SONY000000U9) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Sony 8xDVD-R (SONY08D1....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 TDK 8xDVD+R (CMC MAG.E01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 TDK 8xDVD+R (MBIPG101R04) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
2 TDK 4xDVD+R (RICOHJPNR01) comments, 2 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 TDK 8xDVD+R (TDK.....002) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
3 TDK 8xDVD-R (TTG02.......) comments, 2 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Teon 8xDVD-R (CMC MAG. AE1) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Teon 8xDVD+R (CMC MAG.E01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Teon 4xDVD+R (CMC MAG.F01) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Tesco 8xDVD-R (CMC MAG. AE1) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Traxdata 4xDVD+R (RICOHJPNR01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Traxdata 2xDVD-RW (RITEKW01....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Turbo 8xDVD-R (TYG02.......) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Value Disc 4xDVD+R (CMC MAG.F01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Vanguard 4xDVD-R (VANGUARD....) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Verbatim (DataLife) 2.4xDVD+R (CMC MAG.R01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Verbatim (DataLifePlus) 2.4xDVD+R (MCC.....001) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
6 Verbatim (DataLifePlus) 8xDVD+R (MCC.....003) comments, 6 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
2 Verbatim (DataLifePlus) 4xDVD+RW (MKM.....A02) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
Post your DVD Media comments here

Comments

45 comments, Showing 26 to 45 comments

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I provided my user's comment before under the name:Eric on April 19 2004. I would like to provide my further comments after been using my Sohw-812S(with S0F firmware)for further two weeks as follows:

a) It may be flashed to the Lite-On 832S DL firmware and is still doing the 812S's jobs O.K, but whether it can actually do the DL burning as a Real 832S is NOT yet proven. So watch out! See this link for details http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93161.

b) But I still like this drive as 8x DVD Dual burner further to my backuping a few DVD videos and CD-R discs. And finally

c) It could be used with my Sonic MyDVD or Nero Burning ROM 5.5.10.56 (not installed under SAME OS) and function O.K.

All in all,the sohw-812S I have is behaving perfectly and I like it a lot!

Regards,

Eric

Comments posted by Eric from United Kingdom, April 26, 2004. Rated this writer 9 of 10.

I've used lite-on for years now and it hasn't failed me yet. Also, i'd like to know about this dual layer hardware flash.

Comments posted by A. Miller from United States, April 25, 2004. Rated this writer 10 of 10.

I just ordered this Drive from Newegg for $103 w/Free shipping.

I have seen several people have problems with Liteon Drives and the Nforce2 Chipsetso I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I was wondering where you got the info that the 812 can be flashed with the 832's Bios to make it a Dual layer Burner.

Just Curious.

Comments posted by TheFlyOne from United States, April 23, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.

Working very well so far - had it for a week. New US0J firmware enables Liteon bitsetting utility to work correctly, for both +R and +RW disks - they now play on my Toshiba SD-2109.
Tried Verbatim 4x+r, to use up stock - all worked fine. Now using Zero Defex (Ritek) 8x +R - all successful so far, but burining time is only slightly quicker than 4x e.g. 12 minutes for full disk rather than ~15. Haven't tested speed since flashing to US0J - maybe that's improved things.
Biggest news is that it has now been shown that this drive can be flashed with the 832S firmware to turn it into a dual-layer burner!

Comments posted by Nick Evans from United Kingdom, April 22, 2004. Rated this writer 8 of 10.

I have had this model for a week and have had no coasters. I have used cheap generic DVD-R from Meritline with no problem. I have also used the Khypermedia DVD+r and -R currently on sale at OfficeMax (10 for $5 after rebates) and had success. I did update the firmware before using it though. I haven't burned any 8X yet, just the 4x. I am pleased so far with it.

Comments posted by bjdunion from United States, April 21, 2004. Rated this writer 8 of 10.

I would suggest that one should check their existing CD/DVD burning SWs capability,which can easily do by logging on the respective web sites, for the HWs intented to purchase. Otherwise it will be a costly upgrade!
I have been using this Lite-On sohw-812S for 2 weeks without any coasters even I used various quality of DVD discs,e.g. Bulked DVD-R Discs I purchased from Dabs as well as branded ones. I must say I like it! The only concrens I have had are:
a) it is using High CPU usage according to Nero's report.

b) it tends to slow down a lot if it hit a CD's sector having ERRORS when it is reading from it, which means its defect management strategy is yet to be improved in firmware-S0F.

Apart from that I am very happy with it!

Comments posted by Eric from United Kingdom, April 19, 2004. Rated this writer 8 of 10.

I have the Sony DWU-18A which is a rebadged Liteon SOHW-812S (so I have been told..). Have had it for around month and a half. I have burned Mirror -R 4x with no probs what so ever. Also burned Ritek Printable G04 4x -r media too and have burnt all discs with no issues.
I have a Dual PIII 1gig with a gig of RIMM RAM, and if I am burning at 4x, I find that you need to make sure you don't use the PC while the disc is buring as it can cause sync issues (sometimes)..

Did have a sony DWU-10a and this was a CRAP! Sent it back twice as it wouldn't burn anything.. Gave up in the end and waited for this... very pleased.

Havn't tested any 8x media yet, waiting for the price to come down.

Comments posted by Spinitboy from United Kingdom, April 11, 2004. Rated this writer 9 of 10.

I tested 3 more DVD-R blank types. The results are:

NEC x4 - fail
Melody x4 - fail
Vertex x4 - fail

Needless to say, I am done with this model.
It is going back to the manufacturer to work on getting the technology right.

Comments posted by TM from Australia, April 09, 2004. Rated this writer 1 of 10.

So far I have been unable to burn any DVD-R or DVD-RW discs on Ultran or Princo media. Looks like blue surface of those discs is something Liteon can not cope with.

I successfully recorded DVD+R (Liteon) and DVD+RW (Verbatim).
I will search for other silver or gold DVD-R/RW media to test.

Comments posted by TM from Australia, April 01, 2004. Rated this writer 3 of 10.

Cannot fault this burner as yet.Had it for 2 days & only one coaster,that was due to bad media.Even writes single speed disc`s at two speed,(Arita).Look forward to trying Verbs at 8x.

Comments posted by Cadman from United Kingdom, March 31, 2004. Rated this writer 10 of 10.

This is a follow up post to my original. Having received a new drive I have successfully burned a movie and data dvr with nero. So far this drive seems ok. I will write a full reveiw and rating after I gotten more burns using this drive. I must say that newegg was first rate, accepted my bad drive and sent me out a new one without any hassles. This still is a new drive and I beleive in Liteon I am sure they will release new fireware in the future that will fix any compatabily problems. For media I used memorex 4x and burned a dvd-r at 4x in just over 12 minutes with nero6.3

Comments posted by sbt5 from United States, March 29, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.

Just bought for US$90.00 on ebay. Will report back after I've tested it on a few things. Anxiously awaiting shipment..

Comments posted by Paul M from United States, March 28, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.

i have a few issues with this drive.first it doesnt recognise a DVD in the drive and secondly 3 types of DVD-R discs dont work.only the free +RW works.
Stay clear for burning -r discs

Comments posted by Adie from United Kingdom, March 26, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.

I accidently made my rating a 5 on a previous rating, this was a great drive

Comments posted by rdeleon from United States, March 25, 2004. Rated this writer 10 of 10.

Works fine with Sonic DVD packet writing software. No compatibility issues yet. Using the drive for data backup presently with DVD+RW disks. Good drive so far!

Comments posted by rdeleon from United States, March 24, 2004. Rated this writer 5 of 10.

Just bought it from NewEgg for $127US. Install went smoothly. I burned a home movie using the included MyDVD and it worked great. I also dropped an ISO down and re-recorded it and that went well too. Using Memorex DVD-R 4X. Extremely satisfied.

Comments posted by OneHump from United States, March 21, 2004. Rated this writer 10 of 10.

Got mine a few days ago form newegg.com for $130 plus shippin. When i got the drive the first thing i tried was to burn was a movie using nero 6.3. After 80% into the burn i got a write error and the drive starting making noise. The drive was locked and after I stop when i hit the cancel button. Now I find that the drive does not recongnize when a dvd disc in place in the drive. Still works with a cd though, now it has to go back for replacement. Needless to say I am very disapointed. I have a liteon 52x cd-rw and it works great. Hopefully the replacement will work better.

Comments posted by sbt5 from United States, March 13, 2004. Rated this writer 3 of 10.

This DVD-Writer is very very good.
I had to pay only 110€ for it. It isn´t loud, it is very fast and it burned every DVD and CD.
It´s one of the best DVD-Writer i´ve tested.

Comments posted by Hotzenplotz from Germany, March 12, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.

Just ordered this from https://www.microdirect.co.uk/
for £70.00 ex VAT.

Comments posted by Adam from United Kingdom, March 09, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.

i dont have this drive but my walmart does and its only 148.83, just thought you might wanna know.

Comments posted by jme621 from United States, February 27, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.

45 comments, Showing 26 to 45 comments

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1 DVD Writer hits, Showing 1 to 1 DVD Writers

Column Explanation:

Click on this for more technical information.

New comments= New comments since your last visit.
New Writer = New DVD Writer since your last vist.

OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Chipset
The manufacturer of the main chipset the DVD writer/recorder is based on.

Write support / Read support
DVD-R = Works
~~DVD-R~~ = Is not supported
DVD-R? = Not tested

Single Layer(4.7GB) write speeds
1x (CLV) = about 58 minutes
2x (CLV) = about 29 minutes
2.4x (CLV) = about 24 minutes
4x (CLV) = about 14.5 minutes
6x (CLV/ZCLV) = about 10-12 minutes
8x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 8-10 minutes
12x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 6.5-7.5 minutes
16x (CAV/ZCLV) = about 6-7 minutes

Dual/Double Layer(8.5GB) write speeds
1x CLV = about 105 minutes
2.4x CLV = about 44 minutes
4x CLV = about 27 minutes

Single Layer (4.7GB) read speeds
1x read speed is 1.321MB/s = ~56 minutes
6x CAV (avg. ~4x) read speed is max 7.93MB/s = ~14 minutes
8x CAV (avg. ~6x) read speed is max 10.57MB/s = ~10 minutes
12x CAV (avg. ~8x) read speed is max 15.85MB/s = ~7 minutes
16x CAV (avg. ~12x) read speed is max 21.13MB/s = ~5 minutes

DVD Write types
CAV = Constant Angular Velocity, the DVD is written at a constantly increasing speed.
CLV = Constant Linear Velocity, the DVD is written at a constant speed.
ZCLV = Zone Constant Linear Velocity, the DVD is divided into zones. After each zone the write speed is increased.
PCAV = Partial Constant Angular Velocity, the DVD is being written at an increasing speed until a certain speed. After this speed it will not increase anymore.

Connection
Desktop = Standalone desktop DVD Recorder
EIDE = Computer DVD Writer with EIDE/IDE connection
SCSI = Computer DVD Writer with SCSI connection
USB = Computer desktop DVD Writer with USB 2.0 or/and 1.1 connection
FireWire = Computer desktop DVD Writer with IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.Link connection (some standalone desktop dvd recorder supports this also but then it is usually to connect your DV camera to the recorder)

Rating
The first rating is based on a weighted rank (the true Bayesian), it requires at least 5 votes to get a weighted rating.
The second rating between the ( ) is a normal average rating.

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