Quantcast
Subscribe to magazine

One Box, All DVD Formats

New LG Electronics DVD burner is a great bet.

Melissa J. Perenson

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

LG Electronics GSA-4040B Super Multi DVD Writer (LG Electronics-GSA4040BI)

Only $200: LG's GSA-4040B.

Photograph: Marc Simon
You don't have to agonize over DVD burner formats any longer. LG Electronics' Super-Multi DVD Drive GSA-4040B supports all five rewritable and write-once DVD formats, at a very low price of $200. Competing dual-format +RW and -RW models cost about $50 more.

The GSA-4040B's specs are not the fastest across all formats, but they comes close: The drive supports 4X DVD-R and DVD+R, 2X DVD-RW, 2.4X DVD+RW, and 3X DVD-RAM, as well as 24X CD-R and 12X CD-RW. In PC World tests, this shipping drive excelled on DVD-R burns (taking just 4 minutes, 44 seconds to master 1.8GB of data to a DVD-R disc; that's a scant 4 seconds longer than the time turned in by the fastest drive we have tested to date), but it performed closer to the middle of the pack on DVD+R and +RW. Despite its 3X DVD-RAM rating, it took more than 4 minutes longer to burn 1.18GB of data using packet writing with DVD-RAM than with DVD+RW or DVD-RW.

Though it is the least compatible of the five DVD formats, DVD-RAM is a good option for data archiving due to the media's strong record for error correction. And because some DVD set-top recorders support DVD-RAM, the format's inclusion here may enable you to use discs that you created on your living-room recorder with your PC.

I had practically no trouble switching among all five media types, though the included BHA software sometimes performed sluggishly--especially when I used DVD+RW and DVD-RW media.

If you feel the need for more hand-holding or a better software bundle, you might consider Iomega's $279 Super DVD Writer All-Format Drive, which uses the same drive mechanism as the LG but adds a DVD Wizard to help you select your media based on the task you want to perform.

The product's minor quirks notwithstanding, I recommend LG's Super-Multi DVD Drive GSA-4040B. It's agile, it can handle various formats, and it's relatively cheap, too.

LG Electronics Super-Multi DVD Drive GSA-4040B
Rated 4 stars

Its low price and all-format DVD support make this a great bet.
Price when reviewed: $200
Current prices (if available)

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Featured APC Accessories

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.

Deal Breakers

Special Offers for PC World Users

People who read this also read:

  • 15 Minutes to a Secure Business Get the Secure in 15 toolkit starting with the "15 Minutes Month-at-a-Glance" calendar. McAfee will send you additional tools and tricks to stay protected around the clock.
  • A Buyer's Guide to Data Protection Implementing data protection products and processes can be daunting. Make the right decisions by exploring what is available and what makes sense for your organization. Use this simple guide to evaluate different vendor offerings.

Sponsored Links