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Reviews: External Optical Drives
Hewlett-Packard DVD840e
Drive Type: DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/-RAM • PC/Drive Interface: USB • DL DVD+R Write Speed: 8X • DL DVD-R Write Speed: 4X • DVD+RW Write Speed: 8X • DVD-RW Write Speed: 6X • Price When Reviewed: $150
Hewlett-Packard DVD840e (Front)
Hewlett-Packard DVD840e (Front)
78.1 Good
Last updated
September 08, 2006
Test Center
Pros
  • Has LightScribe labeling.
  • Includes Nero BackItUp.
Cons
  • Drive lacks dual-interfaces.
Pricing: Expensive: $150 (8/16/2006)
Performance: Good: 74
Features: Superior: 94
Design: Very Good: 84
Pricing
Expensive: $150  
Performance
Good: 74  
PC World Tests
Single-Layer Write-Once DVD Performance, for 4.35GB (seconds) 359.15 
Single-Layer Write-Once DVD Format Tested +R 
Dual-Sided Write-Once DVD Performance, for 7.9GB (seconds) 1169.09 
Two-Layer Write-Once DVD Format Tested DL +R 
Format Rewritable DVD (seconds) 64.44 
Rewritable DVD Performance, for 3.4GB (seconds) 468.53 
Rewritable DVD Format Tested +RW 
CD-R Mastering Write Average, for 694MB (seconds) 194.59 
Features
Superior: 94  
Basics
Drive Type DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/-RAM 
PC/Drive Interface USB 
Buffer (MB)
S/PDIF Output No 
LightScribe Labeling Yes 
Supports Disc Error Checking With Third-Party Software Yes 
Vendor Speed Ratings
DL DVD+R Write Speed 8X 
DL DVD-R Write Speed 4X 
Single-Layer DVD+R Write Speed 16X 
Single-Layer DVD-R Write Speed 16X 
DVD+RW Write Speed 8X 
DVD-RW Write Speed 6X 
DVD-RAM Write Speed 5X 
DVD-ROM Pressed Disc Read Speed 16X 
DVD-ROM Burned Disc Read Speed 10x 
CD-RW Write Speed 32X 
CD-R Write Speed 40X 
CD-ROM Read Speed 40X 
Other
Included Hardware USB cable 
Included Software Nero Express 6.6, (with BackItUp and VisionExpress 3.3), MicroVision SureThing SE-LightScribe Edition, CyberLink PowerDVD 6 
Support & Reliability
Labor Warranty (years) One 
Parts Warranty (years) One 
Weekday Support Hours 24 
Saturday Support Hours 24 
Sunday Support Hours 24 
Toll-Free Support Yes 
Design
Very Good: 84  

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