Today, we are pleased to announce an exclusive first look at one of HP's latest DVD-Writer's - the dvd840e Super Multi DVD Writer. This external DVD writer features LightScibe support as well the recording of all types of recordable CD & DVD media, including DVD-RAM. The drive connects via USB2 and can operate in either a horizontal or vertical position with its included stand. Its software bundle consists of Nero Express 6.6, Cyberlink PowerDVD 6 and Microvision SureThing SE for creating LightScribe labels. This LightScribe drive also features 16x DVD-R DL, 8x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL and 5x DVD-RAM writing performance, unlike many earlier LightScribe DVD writers which limited DVD-R writing to 8x, DVD±R DL writing to 2.4x and lacked support for DVD-RAM altogether.
Jan has just published his
first look review of the
drive, which covers reading, writing and disc
quality tests using various brands of media as well as the testing out of its
LightScribe capabilities.
| Write | Maximum speed | Read | Maximum speed |
| CD-R | Up to 40x (CAV or P-CAV) | CD-ROM | Up to 40x (CAV) |
| CD-RW | Up to x 32 (Z-CLV) | DVD-ROM | Up to 16x (CAV) |
| DVD+R | Up to 16x (CAV) | | |
| DVD+RW | Up to 8x (Z-CLV) | LightScribe | full graphic label |
| DVD+R DL | Up to 8x (CLV) | Best | <28 minutes |
| DVD-R | Up to 16x (CAV) | Normal | <23 minutes |
| DVD-RW | Up to 6x (Z-CLV) | Draft | <17 minutes |
| DVD-R DL | Up to 4x (CLV) | | |
| DVD-RAM | Up to 5x (P-CAV) | | |
In this first look review, our
review coordinator Jan performs read and write tests on various brands of both DVD plus
and minus writable, rewritable and dual/double layer media. After each
disc is written, a Disc Quality test is performed to show a PI/PIF graph of how
well each disc performs. The review also covers its LightScribe support
including a run-through of the included CD/DVD labelling software.
To find out how this drive performs
in our exclusive first look review, including further specifications and
features, check out the review
here. Once you have a look over the review,
feel free to comment or ask any
questions about the drive on this forum
thread.
Source: CD Freaks Reviews
