LG Slim External Super Multi DVD Rewriter GP08-LU10 Review
With the extreme portability the Netbook like the EEE PC has given, is this portable DVD writer which runs only through USB connection (no AC adaptor required) worth our look?
External DVD and CD writers have been here quite a while now. However, I haven’t really been taking notice of them as I saw no reason why to get them. Although some of them were quite small already (most of them were big), they really weren’t portable as you had to lug around an AC adaptor which was sometimes, heavier than the gadget itself.
The only time I took notice, was when I saw the LG GP08-LU10 Slim External Super Multi DVD Rewriter. It attracted my attention as it claimed to be AC Adapter-less. It can run by just using the USB cable!
Let’s take a look first at its specs.
Specifications
1. Read and Write Speed
It has a generic read/write speed of 8X, which is what LG advertises. It reads DVDs at a maximum speed of 8X with the exception of DVD-Video which is at 4X. I initially thought that the 4X speed would affect my watching of DVD-Video, but when I tested it, the video was still seamless.
The read speed for CDs are much faster which is at 24X.
The write speed for DVD is 8X. It would change to 6X for Dual layer DVDs, and 6X for DVD-RW. Its maximum write speed for CD is the same with its read speed – 24X.
2. Dimensions and Weight
It has dimensions of 156 x 21 x 165 millimeters and a net weight of about 380 grams. I guess LG wasn’t joking when it indicated that it was slim and portable.
3. Host Interface / Connection
The connection used is of course USB 2.0, but if you look at the back of the LG DVD writer, why are there two connection ports with one looking like it’s for an AC adaptor?
The answer is: you usually only need the USB 2.0 connection port. But if your computer’s USB port somehow doesn’t supply enough power, you can use the USB Power Cable (DC-jack type), and connect it to another USB port. You now connect the DVD writer to two USB ports – still no AC-Adaptor.
4. Lightscribe
It also comes with LightScribe label printing at a pixel resolution of 600DPI.
Design
The design of the LG GP08 can be summed up into two words, simple and elegant. Why? Its black plastic design is glossy and not cheap to the touch. I think the reason it was made as plastic is to make the gadget lighter. The black finish is not slippery and blends nicely with the white color. When you open up the Disc tray, the inside is black as well.
Performance
I’m just an average user so to test the LG GP08, I played DVD-Videos, burned 3 DVDs, burned 3 CDs, and read 10 CDs and 10 DVDs – all in one day. I did this routine for 2 straight days and the LG GP08 performed great. I sometimes had to plug-in the USB Power Cable especially when burning DVDs and CDs, but it didn’t bother me at all.
In a Nutshell
The LG GP08-LU10 Slim 8X External DVD Writer is worth considering because of its sleek design, great portability (slim and AC adaptor-less functionality), and good price ($90 or P4,000 in our country). Sure, Blu-Ray would have been great but I’m sure it wouldn’t have helped its price tag.
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I own an eeepc and installed my xp there thru usb. But came was a time i had to reformat, which was actually just have that new feel, plus a friend of mine had a better tiny xp (than the nlited one installed). My problem was i could not put the contents of the tinyxp into the usb, thus i needed an external cd drive for the install. It was this LG cd writer that i used. I was so satisfied i put it in my to buy list =) Thanks for these insights about this thing! Another great review it is.
Thanks Karasu. I actually tested this using two laptops and on a desktop. One of the laptops is an Asus EEE PC 1000H so I’m sure your experience with it was very good.
nice review u have here. i actually jst bought mine 2 hours ago for my MSI wind. i actually didn’t see the need for an external optical drive since I have another laptop, until I had to reformat my netbook o_o bt no regrets purchasing it.. I love the LG GP08! bought it at Mall of Asia for P3800. it’s sleek,stylish,and ultra-portable!! hope this peripheral lasts for a long time.
That’s great Charlene! The LG GP08 is a very good device. It really helps especially in your case where you had to reformat your netbook and reinstall your OS and applications.
I feel great using my LG external dvd rewriter for its convenient to hand carry it with me wherever I go. Thanks to this site I was able to figure out who’s the champion among its competitors in the market. Definitely this is it!
If you have a netbook its advisable you get a usb powered dvd rewriter than those that you need to still plug for a power source. ‘M sure you cant find a socket free instantly in public. I certainly made a wise choice. Thanks again mr.writer!
Thanks Missy! It’s great I was able to help you decide.
i bought mine even before this site. i actually like my lg gpo8. but i really don’t know what to do with it other than play dvd. where can i find ideas for the lightscribe designs?
Hi tacloban,
Why don’t you join the Lightscribe Designs Flickr group? I’m sure you’ll get ideas there.
Hi! Hem… I just bought one but I do not know how to install it.. Can anyone help me?
Hi MacK,
Just plug the USB cord to your laptop or desktop computer and it should turn on. If it doesnt, use the power cord which comes with it. Your laptop or desktop computer should be able to auto-detect it. After that, install the Nero software that comes with the device so you can burn CDs and DVDs.
Thanks a lot! ^_^
hi! i just bought the LG GP08 a few hrs ago, and i was wondering if you could tell me what the metallic looking sticker thing is for? i found it inside the box. it’s silver in color, squarish with lines on it. any help would be appreciated! thanks!
It must just be packaging sticker. I’m sure it isn’t a requirement in operating the DVD drive.
Hello, I just bought this lg for my netbook which is an asus eee pc and it cannot detect the device. I don’t know why. Would you know the answer?
Maybe somethings wrong with the configuration of your netbook? How abut testing it with other laptops or netbooks? If it still doesnt work with other laptops or netbooks there might be something wrong with the unit you got (and thus should be immediately replaced).
I just bought the LG Slim, external super multi dvd rewriter, its making my Dell Latitude d800 crash! It uses Nero, power source is through USB, anyone with the same problem?
You’ve isolated the problem as the LG Slim being the culprit? Have you tried other external DVD writers? Or is the crash only when you launch Nero?
It actually will start to burn a CD, when it gets 3/4’s the way done, it crashes at that point.
Have u tried burning a CD by not using Nero? It may be a software problem.
How can i download this product software from LG website I lost the definition CD
Just try the LG website, you’ll be able to download the drivers there. As for the Nero software, I guess you’re out of luck. Why don’t you try emailing LG support?
I’ve copied many pictures from my desktop to a DVD, and i reopened the DVD and viewed the photos. I shifted the LG Rewriter GP08-LU10 to my Toshiba Notebook to see the photos there… but I couldn’t open the Disc !
Does it mean that I have to define the LG DVD Rewriter or what ?
Thank you
Have you other DVDs on your Toshiba Notebook? I can only guess from the info you’ve given me – maybe its a problem on the disc. Try burning it again.
hi friend i have purchased this writer but i need some clarification this drive need any software are it’s work directly if any software will need pls convey which one is best otherwise ignore and pls reply me soon thank you
Your DVD writer you purchased comes bundled with the NERO software. If it does not, you can just drag files to the DVD and choose burn to disc when you have chosen all of them.
I just bought this product but I have a MAC, is it compatible?
Yes I’m sure it will be.
Wow – isn’t technology great? That thing looks awesome!
its need a driver???
My slim lg dvd rewritwer doesnt work, it say that the version needs dma
You may need to activate DMA mode which is turned on by default in most computers. I suggest you read this – http://www.onthegosoft.com/dma_setting_nt.htm
I haven’t tried it personally but I hope it will help.
My unit does not play burned CDs at all. The green light blinks and it makes noises but the CD never shows up on my netbook. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Maybe it needs more power. Plug in the USB power cable (the DC jack type) to add more power.
Ive bought the Lg GP08 lite and when copying or burning and sometimes even just reading cds, the unit just stops.. so therefor waisting a cd and having to start again when it will do it again?? Any ideas?
Dan
Sometimes its just CD specific (faulty CDs). Just to be sure its not because of power, plug-in the USB power cable.
I bought the LG GP08 for my netbook and have tried playing DVDs and can’t get any picture or sound. I have tried the DVDs on my other laptop and there isn’t a problem. Any suggestions?
when i plugged it into my computer it is recognized inmediately but if i insert a cd, or dvd it just sounds like working but then abruptly stop, and starts again to work and stop again and again and again while my computer freezes, I’ve connected it to other computers and other usb ports even with the power adaptor but nothing seems to work… please help
Have you tried to isolate the problem? Have you tried many CDs or DVDs to make sure that it isn’t a specific CD or DVD problem?
yeah, I tried that, but it just shuts off, I’ve wasted at least 15 cd’s with 4 different brands between them. the first cd I put in burned beautifully, but now it just stops at random. I can’t even play a cd or dvd on it…
I love this device and it works great. I have no idea how to use LightScribe. Is there software included in NERO that will allow me to burn the label onto the LightScribe disc that I bought or do I have to buy that extra?
When I plug the DVD drive into my computer either via USB or with both USB and the power USB cable, it won’t power on. We have even tried an power adapter but it does not power on. No lights, nothing. Is there anything else we can try or is the device completely broken?
I have the LG GP08 LU20, the replacement for the LU10
It won’t work on my Sony Vaio even plugged into both ports for extra power.
This is a misconceived product, it will never work on many laptops whatever you do because it breaks the official published USB power standard.
If you turn it over and look underneath you will see that it is rated at 5V DC 1.6 amps.
The official USB 2 standard allows a power draw of 0.5 amps from each USB port at 5 volts
Two ports = 1.0 amps
Now I don’t know about your LU10 power draw, but I suspect the problems many of your readers mention of drive showing some lights and not being recognized and laptops crashing while writing are *all* down to insufficient power from the USB connections.
I solved my problem by buying a little Belkin 4 port USB expander (FSU415). This has a good power brick rated at 5v 2.5A.
Now, no more problems whatsoever!
Frankly it is disgraceful that the product (which even has a blocked off port to plug in a power supply ) isn’t even supplied with a power input which is so evidently lacking. They cannot be saving any more than $1 by leaving off the power socket. I’m not even asking for the needed power brick, some folks don’t need it, but those that do are screwed!