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ASUS DRW-1612BL LightScribe

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ASUS DRW-1612BL LightScribe
 
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By Nathan Davis
Feb 14, 2007
Tags: ASUS | DRW-1612BL | LightScribe

High technology laser surface etching vs. Mark 1 black Texta.

This burner can write, with its laser (don’t be unsurprised so soon) on top of CD media. Called LightScribe, this technology from HP imposes imagery of your choice on top of the media.

Of course, this magic doesn’t come free, as you need to purchase super-special optical media (two samples are included) coated with the 780nm-infrared reactive dye. It’d be a wee more ingenious if this could write on standard discs, but this is a tad improbable given the need for some kind of ink.

Taking almost 14 slow minutes to burn a best-quality image, the end result basically looks like an overly-loved vinyl record that was sent through a fax machine.

LightScribe’s intention is interesting, but for now it’s still just a ridiculous novelty that doesn’t really work. If such a gimmick is slick enough for you, pig out.

Sporting 2MB of cache, this isn’t something that makes one get nekkid and run around screaming, but most half-modern systems are capable of supplying a drive with the necessary data. Sit that alongside the usual buffer protection, and the small cache becomes boringly moot.

It’s a PATA drive, but you’ll need to supply your own IDE cable as one is not included. This is odd, because we’re used to collecting those things in the labs. Maybe they’re onto us.

Writing with the drive is a pleasant experience, as it diverges from the norm by not attempting to imitate a freaking Learjet. Quite the opposite.

It does come with an OEM copy of the aging Nero 6 (v6.6.1.6f), but considering Nero 7’s fanciful focus on a digital lifestyle rather than just the damn burning application, perhaps this is a good thing. It’s the incinerable Express version, though.

The slightly steep price aside, for practical purposes, it’s a reasonable drive that features adequately feisty speeds and is surprisingly quiet in high-speed operation. It’ll also let you experiment with LightScribe, because you secretly know you want to, even though it really does suck.

Yes, goatse fits quite well.

 
Product Info
Specs:
LightScribe; 2MB cache; 16x DVD±R/8x DVD+RW/6x DVD-RW/8x DVD±R (DL); 48x CD-R/32x CD-RW; 16x DVD-ROM
Supplier:
Price when reviewed:
AUD$79
price check*
$45.00 Asus 24x DVD+/-R/RW D/L SATA LIGHTSCRIBE Burner (Blk/Wht)
PC GoGo (QLD)
$47.00 ASUS 24X LIGHTSCRIBE RAM SATA DVD BURNER
TX Computer Solutions (NSW)
$50.00 Asus 22x DVD+/-R/RW D/L IDE LIGHTSCRIBE Burner (Black)
PC GoGo (QLD)
$66.35 Asus 20x DVD-RW Lightscribe SATA Black, Asus Burners, DVD Media, CD / DVD D... 1
ARC Computers (NSW)
$69.00 Asus DRW-22B2L lightscribe IDE 22X DVD burner
Global Computer Group (QLD)
$75.28 Asus 20x DVD-RW Lightscribe SATA Black, Asus Burners, DVD Media, CD / DVD D...
ARC Computers (NSW)
*Products and prices sourced from staticICE and are in no way associated with Atomic MPC Powered by
 
This article appeared in the February, 2007 issue of Atomic.

Want to check out the first Australian review of Final Fantasy XIII? We got in this month's Atomic!

Plus HD projectors, Napoleon: Total War, Intel's new six-core processor, PC upgrading guide, and a whole lot more.

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Atomic Magazine

Issue: 111 | April, 2010

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.
 
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