When we reviewed LG’s GGW-H20L Blu-ray burner in December 2007 we applauded its superior BD-R write speeds and ability to also read HD DVD media. Now that the latter feature is irrelevant, we welcome LG’s new GBW-H20L. It boasts all the same DVD and BD read and write specs as its predecessor, sans the HD DVD reader—and comes with a healthy price cut.
LG remains the only manufacturer offering 6x write speeds for BD-R media, and it’s a notable distinction. Even when burning to 2x media, LG’s drives are far speedier than the 4x competition at filling a BD-R disc with 22.5GB of data—taking just over 20 minutes (the 4x Lite On drive we reviewed last month took 48 minutes to complete that task!).
LG’s BD burner offers a 16x DVD+R write rating. While it’s shy of the 20x rating you’ll find on top-end dedicated DVD drives, we’re satisfied with the real-world results. When writing 4.38GB of data to a singled-layer DVD+R disc, LG’s GBW-H20L took 5:43 (min:sec), compared with the Lab record time of 5:00 set by Samsung’s SH-S203 DVD drive. Most Blu-ray burners we’ve reviewed have capped DVD+R speeds at 8x or 12x, including the Lite On drive reviewed last month, which took 7:09 to fill a single-layer DVD.
While LG’s previous GGW-H20L wins the majority of our benchmarks, the GBW-H20L comes well within spitting distance of that drive. And at $280, the GBW-H20L is almost $200 less than its predecessor. We like that.
Fastest BD-R rating on the market, speedy DVD burn times, lowest price yet.
For backup purposes, an external hard drive is still a more attractive prospect.
| LG GBW-H20L | LG GGW-H20L | Lite On DH-4B1S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DVD Write Speed Average | 12.07x | 12.09x | 8.99x |
| DVD Read Speed Average | 9.10x | 9.24x | 9.10x |
| Access Time (Random/Full) | 100ms/175ms | 99ms/192ms | 137ms/213ms |
| CPU Utilization (8x) | 24% | 23% | 31% |
| Time to Burn 22.5GB to BD-R (min:sec) | 22:16 | 21:23 | 48.00 |
| Time to Burn 22.5GB to BD-RE (min:sec) | 39:35 | 39:38 | 46:12 |
DAN PRUSAITIS
December 21, 2009 at 8:29pm
Power2go only gives me the option of burning a data blu-ray disk. HP marketed the drive as blu-ray r+rw. A blu-ray burner that won't burn video? How about a tennis racket you can't hit tennis balls with? If I am missing something SOMEBODY let me know. Otherwise happy holidays! Never let thieving computer companies get you down.
rosco
April 13, 2009 at 9:14pm
nice found a GGW-H20L...for 200$ add the LG disk an CybecLInks that came with it played for a few months and then...One week ago it said can not play Blue Ray need Upgrades got the Upgrades and they say will not play Blue Ray (PowerDVD8 ultra)...now they want $120+ for the software to play Blue Ray only down fall and makes it useless till bought.........You figuer could of bought one just for the LCD 32" ViewSonic and never had the prob...any one that knows off Media Player or when Vista's Media player upgrade for Blue Ray is????????or a site with FRee Blue Ray Player Like "VLC" later thanks
MasterMonk
February 28, 2009 at 10:42am
Have you guys looked at the Pioneer BDR-203BK which is rated at 8X for the BD-R and at 2X for the BD-RE discs? I was just wondering why the LG burner is rated higher.
Si_sedan07
January 08, 2009 at 11:51am
Im really happy to see you guys have given such a high score to the drive. I will install today as Im waiting to get my video card delivered today! once I have it up and running I will come back and comment again!
Scapegoat
August 11, 2008 at 8:16pm
I will note that on Newegg, the predecessor is $10 cheaper, going for $270 with free 3 day shipping, and amazon offers a similar price. Also by LG's website, the predecessor is only $120 more than the new model. I apologize if I come across as a smart a$$. If I do, it's the geek in me.
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