Conclusion
The Lite-On LTR-16101B provides an appealing option for those on a tight budget.
In summary, its strengths include:
- Unsurpassed pricing
- Inclusion of Nero Burning ROM software
- Quiet operation during reads and writes
- Good copy performance
- P-CAV DAE offers 95% of the performance of a 40X CAV extractor with reduced RPMs on the outer portion of the disc
- Good performance and compatibility when reading CD-R media
- BURN-Proof support
The drive's weak areas:
Drive heats up substantially after extended use
Support for accurate streaming is not consistently detected, which can possibly affect DAE quality during random accesses
CD-DA playback error correction is only average
Compared to the competition, transfer rates are slow with CD-RW media
Write and rewrite performance is slightly slower than direct competition
Slow at formatting CD-RWs for packet-writing
Overall, the LTR-16101B provides acceptable performance and unparalleled pricing. While problems like minor DAE quality issues and slow CD-RW read speeds might be enough to keep the hardcore hardware enthusiast away, the drive's undeniable value will appeal to budget-conscious users and those craving "no frills" 16X burn speeds.
