This is the first Blu-ray drive specifically for PC users that doesn't write to recordable BD media and, believe it or not, this is a significant milestone for Blu-ray. For the reasons highlighted above, an affordable Blu-ray option for PC users means we...

Versatile

Expensive, Other features sacrificed for Blu-ray compatibility

A step forward for Blu-ray PC drives, but it's still hard to recommend

An external DVD drive is only going to be of interest if you're running a laptop that can't be upgraded. This is a case in point, as the 20X EZ-Dub didn't push much beyond 14x speed in our tests

Does what it claims to do

Slow speed

This drive isn't the best you'll get for the price but it does do what it says on the box

Although many of the drives we've tested failed to make their claimed 20x maximum burning speed, this Lite-ON scraped past the 16X our media was rated for, managing a stellar 16.09X at the end of the burn

Fast and efficient, Lightscribe

Overall the Lite-On LH-20A1H is a solid performer that offers up speed and efficiency in equal measure

At a claimed 20x speed, many modern drives appear to destroy the barriers put in front of them by physics. NEC's low-cost attempt, rated only at18x, certainly has a go, but falls marginally short of shattering any barriers

Affordable

Speeds are sluggish

If you're prepared to put up with slower burning, this isn't a bad drive for the price

The Pioneer BDR-101A offers expensive HD optical storage

The problem for the PX-716A, and indeed any other manufacturer trying claim a slice of this burgeoning market, is that there are drives already available that burn at these speeds, but cost notably less. NEC's ND-3500A has set the standard, rolling in at

If you're desperate for a DVD burner right here, right now, and given that the infamous Sony high pricing hasn't struck this time around, this is a decent purchase.