Page 1 of Lite-On PC DVD drive 16X

Hi!
Jungle.com are currently offering a PC DVD drive made by Lite-On - model number LTD-163-02VH for £29.99 plus shipping.
This seems rather cheap, and I was wondering if anyone has used it? If so, is it worth getting? Also, is it multi-region or hackable?
Best wishes,
Paul Bines (a newbie to the world of DVD so please be gentle with me!)

My understanding is that it is hackable by flashing with firmware from the usual page : brilliant bargain.

I`ve got a Liteon CD writer that is spot on. Some Sampo owners have even installed the Liteon DVD ROM drive in their DVD players so it`s fine and dandy :-)

Hello,

The LTD-163 is used by Dell as Oem stuff in their Machines (Dimensions), so they must be ok.
It is definately hackable with a firmware flash, but you have to be careful with the jump switches at the back, or you could lose the whole thing (I did, but Dell were very nice and replaced it anyway)

Neil.

SVP are doing a Samsung DVD Rom Drive 16 x 48 for £29.68 delivered

http://www.blankdiscshop.co.uk/acatalog/SVP_Communications_CD_Re_Writers__DVD_Rom_drives__and___DVD___writers_9.html

The Liteon 163 is good - many people building PCs specifically for running a projector (HCPC - home cinema PC) recommend them, as the can be flashed to multiregion, and they also run very quietly when playing a DVD - they make a racket when spinning at full whack, but obviously they run much slower when playing a DVD.
http://www.ebuyer.com and http://www.dabs.com have them cheap as well - dabs also do a black bezel for the front, so if you happen to have a black case for your PC. Just had a look at the ebuyer price - a bit more (£31), but it`s the retail box with PowerDVD (I think it`s an older version, but if you don`t have a player.....) - they also have the OEM version (no software, no leads - I`d imagine that`s what jungle are offering too) for £28.77. They also have a Sony for pennies more - I got one a while back - these can also be flashed, and are a lot quieter in full speed mode.

Lite-On make some excellent drives. I have the 163 and it has been totaly trouble free. It is multi-region hackable as well. You can get a good price at http:\\www.overclockers.co.uk where they have them for £28.79 inc vat which is the full retail version with a copy of PowerDVD. You can buy a black bezel to fit the drive for £4.70 as well.

Many thanks for all the help and advice! I have now placed an order for one and look forward to all sorts of fun installing it!
Best wishes,
Paul

Thought I`d add - they are excellent for reading CD-R/Audio/Computer discs too. Using a system with a Liteon 24x writer and the 16 speed DVD - you can copy at 24x on the fly.

another vote for the Liteon, mine`s a bit noisy sometimes tho compared to other I have

picked mine up for £28 at local computer fair, flashed no probs to make it region free

also bought a samsung 16x48, yet to try flash tho, got that for £29, hoping it`s a bit quieter

Just thought I`d offer an update!
The drive arrived this morning - and it`s the full retail box! With the drive was a cd containing PowerDVD XP.
It`s installed now and running well - the noise is something I can cope with!

Next step - Multi-Region!

Best wishes, and thanks again for your help and recommendations!
Paul