LG GSA-5120D

Adding a DVD writer to your PC lets you back up important documents and images, make your own movie discs and free up valuable hard disk space. Choosing an external drive, such as the 12x Super Multi DVD Rewriter from LG, simplifies the installation.

The LG can be connected to your PC via USB2 or Firewire, and a USB cable and full and mini-Firewire leads are included in the box. If you're running Windows XP, the system should recognise the device without even having to install drivers. As this is an external device, it can also be used easily with a notebook.

The LG writes to all DVD formats including +R/RW, -R/RW and Ram, making it a versatile device. It also supports dual-layer writing, allowing you to store up to 8.5GB of data on a compatible dual-layer disc. This media is expensive at around £9 per disc, but the price should fall once the format becomes more established.

This drive wasn't the fastest writer we've seen lately, taking over 13 minutes to create full +R and -R discs and 40 minutes to create a dual-layer disc. That said, some may consider the ability to read and write all current formats more important.

Aside from the ports already mentioned, the LG's silver and white casing also has a power switch, Eject button and drive status LED on the front panel. There is no headphone socket on this drive. A copy of Cyberlink Power DVD, Power Producer Gold and Ahead's Nero Express and In CD are bundled, as is a copy of Acrobat Reader.

At £117, the LG represents good value for money for an external dual-layer drive, but it's a shame there's no media bundled with the device.

Contact: LG 01753 491 500
www.lge.co.uk

Specifications:

• DVD: +R/+RW 12x/4x
• +R DL writing/reading 2.4x/8x
• -R/-RW 8x/4x
• -Ram 5x
• -Rom 16x; CD: 40x/24x/40x
• 2MB buffer
• USB
• Firewire
• Cyberlink Power DVD
• Power Producer Gold
• Ahead Nero Express
• In CD
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• 63 x 245 x 54mm (w x d x h)
• 1.5kg
• 2yrs RTB warranty