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Three External USB And eSATA Blu-ray Burners Tested

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The advent of affordable, high-capacity media could bring a renaissance in optical storage, but only if the performance is adequate. We tested a few of today’s fastest drives with USB and eSATA connectivity to find out where this technology stands.

LG BE12LU30

LG’s BE12LU30 relies on eSATA for optimal performance, leaving devices that lack this input with nothing faster than a USB 2.0 interface. Of course, LG wants to make sure your primary desktop can use its faster interface, and the company smartly includes a SATA-to-eSATA breakout plate.

Also included are CyberLink’s writing and playback software, eSATA and USB 2.0 cables, and an international power adapter. LG’s power block appears to use a proprietary snap-on power connector, so travelers will likely find it easiest to use a universal travel kit when plugging the devices into non-native jacks.

What appears to be an eject button is actually a touch sensor, though mechanical release is still enabled by a pinhole in the drive’s door.

USB 2.0 and eSATA ports are found on the back, along with a small power switch and 12 V input. Anyone concerned about the eSATA data rate can stop worrying, since 12x BD-R writes require only 0.5 Gb/s of the interface's 3 Gb/s performance ceiling.

24 Comments Comment from the forums
  • pirateboy 06 September 2011 12:53
    no LiteOn device? why?
    Reply
  • Crashman 06 September 2011 13:42
    pirateboyno LiteOn device? why?The eHBU212 wasn't available yet when this roundup was initiated last spring. Sorry, other reviews had deadlines.
    Reply
  • vdr369 06 September 2011 16:42
    Yeah, LG drive looks really cool and performs better, nice design and lavish looking
    Reply
  • 06 September 2011 16:44
    Could you please add a chart about the quality of the burned data itself.
    (I do not know if this is possible?) A lot of people still burn audio CDs and for this the burn quality is normally essential
    Reply
  • Crashman 06 September 2011 16:48
    Mille23Could you please add a chart about the quality of the burned data itself.(I do not know if this is possible?) A lot of people still burn audio CDs and for this the burn quality is normally essentialIt's in the photo album:
    http://www.tomshardware.com/gallery/bd-sl-scan-ASUS,0101-302721-9789-0-0-0-jpg-.html See no errors know no errors.
    Reply
  • dimar 06 September 2011 18:03
    When do we finally get eSATAp?
    Reply
  • Crashman 06 September 2011 18:17
    dimarWhen do we finally get eSATAp?It's been replaced with USB 3.0, and neither of those has enough amperage to power these drives.
    Reply
  • dimar 06 September 2011 18:29
    CrashmanIt's been replaced with USB 3.0, and neither of those has enough amperage to power these drives.
    Not true. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESATAp
    I already have the bracket for eSATAp where I have the power supply connected using the 12v/5v molex cable.
    Reply
  • Crashman 06 September 2011 18:47
    dimarNot true. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESATApI already have the bracket for eSATAp where I have the power supply connected using the 12v/5v molex cable.That's fine, but it doesn't contradict what I said.

    Let me be more specific: USB 3.0 is primarily for portable devices, eSATA is primarily for stationary devices, and eSATAp is something in the middle that doesn't have enough power for "big" drives such as these.

    The purpose of eSATAp WAS to combine the convenience of USB 2.0 with the performance of eSATA. But the purpose of USB 3.0 IS to combine the convenience of USB 2.0 with the performance of PCIe. This is a was vs is debate, Windows XP is still great too but many people have simply quit using it.

    Hey, I remember external SCSI too!

    BTW, some of these drives DO support eSATA. Forget the P, a USB power connector won't power these drives!
    Reply
  • dimar 06 September 2011 20:15
    CrashmaneSATAp is something in the middle that doesn't have enough power for "big" drives such as these.
    You don't get it. You actually connect the power supply power cable to the back side of the eSATAp connector. It gets the full 12v and 5v load.
    Reply