By: annon (05-Sep-08)      Experience with product: 4 Months

Strengths:	Reads all formats including Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.
Weaknesses:	None.

Full User Summary
Excellent drive for the price. After discovering my laptop could display 1080P video I began a search for a means to play the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD movies while on business trips. I came upon this drive and coupling it with a Vantec Nexstar DX external enclosure, I was able to play movies from the drive through the USB port. I have tested several discs in all formats with a spedific focus on Blu-Ray and HD-DVD using Corel's WinDVD 9. I have been nothing less than absolutely pleased. The Vantec enclosure I mentioned is a 5.25-inch, SATA drive enclosure with a USB 2.0 interface. The combination of the two, drive and enclosure, make for an excellent, portable device that can bring HD to any machine capable of displaying the media.

By: annon (03-Jun-08)      Experience with product: 1 Day

Strengths:	price,quality,and supports both hd formats!matches my other lg lightscribe dvd burner;except it`s a little shinier on the bottom side than the top of the faceplate.
Weaknesses:	none so far!just got it and hooked up last night!plays regular dvd`s fine.didn`t have a hd or blu-ray to try it out.i wish that it burned blu-ray`s for the price like it`s big brother.

Full User Summary
like i wrote i just installed last night;but without the included software as i already have nero,and anydvd;which both should have blu-ray software.i hear that the included software is okay,but i want full audio an not just stereo as the power dvd provides.i`ll comment back later after i try a blu-ray tonight!my friend has one as does my brother, which neither one of them have a blu-ray whatsoever(can some say maybe a couple of free blu-ray movies!)i have a intel q6600 2.4 liquid cooled to 3.4ghz,2 8800 gtx evga graphics cards in sli,2 gigs of corsair pc10000(1250 speed),2 western digital 150gig raptor x`s in raid 0,680i evga mainboard with northbridge and sothbrigde,also liquid cooled(danger den)stuff,24 inch gateway hdcp ready monitor;and all kinds of cool stuff(i.e. logitech orbitcam,tv tuners,mics,card readers,klishp 5.1 speaker system;etc.,etc.!hope this rig works well!imagine what a porno machine this will be in hd!

By: annon (08-May-08)      Experience with product: 2 Days

Strengths:	Priced right, quiet, works well. SATA cable included, along with 4 mounting screws and a SATA power adapter for standard power plug.
Weaknesses:	Included Cyberlink PowerDVD software is typical minimal stuff - get the full retail Deluxe HD version.

Full User Summary
Use PowerDVD 7 Deluxe HD. My WinXP Media Center Edition 2005 HTPC(Home Theater Personal Computer) is connected via HDMI on HDCP-compliant ATI card in PC. Get Slysoft's AnyDVD software if your hardware chain is not fully HDCP compliant.

By: WhetWurm (23-Feb-08)      Experience with product: 16

Strengths:	This combo drive is pretty fast and installed without a hitch. Comes with everything you need including SATA cables and power. Lightscribe is cool.
Weaknesses:	The included software SUCKS. They toss in a weak version of PowerDVD which they constantly prompt you to upgrade. That means paying $100 more for full functionality.

Full User Summary
I was hesitant to buy this drive on account of the HD-war that was going on, but the thought of playing both Blu-ray AND HD-DVD without spending $700 on a standalone was appealing. So I gave in and this little drive has surprised me. From a hardware perspective, this drive rocks. It has everything I need for my HTPC to do its thing. It even includes an impressive suite that helps upgrade the firmware automatically (which Vista hates BTW). From a software standpoint, PowerDVD just pisses me off. The MPAA and ACSS people have made it extremely hard for consumers to use their purchased media by manipulating PowerDVD into a crippled mess of software. The only thing I can say is, at least it's the software's fault (which can be upgraded or changed) and not a hardware fault. On the up and up, I love it.

By: dad5258 (22-Feb-08)      Experience with product: 30 Days

Strengths:	Play both Blu-ray and HD DVD
Weaknesses:	NONE

Full User Summary
This drive is a all in one solution since it can read all existing disks and burn DVD, CD. I used it for one month and be very happy with it. The software in the box is not good enough, you need pay money to buy a full version. For Blu-ray and HD DVD movies play, your processor and graphycs card need to be strong enough.