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LG has definitely created something special with the GSA-4040B. Whereas many of the drives on test can write both DVD+RW and DVD-R, the LG can also write to DVD-RAM discs, making it the most versatile DVD writer on the market. There are other Super-Multi DVD writers in the pipeline (Panasonic has its drive planned for January) but for now the LG GSA-4040B is the only show in town.

LG hasn’t spent all its time working on the compatibility of this device though, the front fascia does show a little design flair. Although the tray is a standard PC cream colour, there is a grey acrylic strip along the bottom of the fascia that flows around the circular eject button.

Pressing the eject button reveals that you won’t be putting any DVD-RAM caddies into the drive. Unfortunately this means that you have to open up the DVD-RAM caddy and remove the disc from inside. This isn’t a huge problem with single sided media, which can be bought bare anyway, but with double sided media the caddy keeps it safe from marks and scratches. Initially double sided DVD-RAM media could not be removed from the caddy for this very reason, but it is now possible to use double sided media without a caddy.

Luckily the lack of DVD-RAM caddy support is one of only two down sides to the LG drive. The other slight disappointment is the supplied burning software. LG bundles B’s Recorder Gold 5 in the box for burning media, but we would have much preferred a copy of Nero. You also get B’s Clip for packet writing, neo DVD for DVD authoring and PowerDVD for DVD playback.

Despite it’s extended feature set the LG hasn’t been compromised in the performance stakes. It was slow in the DVD-RW tests but did a bit better with the DVD+RW tests. CD-R performance was considerably slower than the competition but CD-RW times were very commendable.

The inclusion of DVD-RAM support will please anyone that wants a removable storage solution with similar characteristics to a hard disk. It’s true that you can use DVD-RW or DVD+RW with packet writing software, but because those formats write data sequentially they’re not as suited to drag and drop functionality as DVD-RAM.

The quoted write speeds for the LG are four-speed for DVD+R and DVD-R, 2.4-speed for DVD+RW, two-speed for DVD-RW, 16-speed for CD-RW, 24-speed for CD-R and three-speed for DVD-RAM. The GSA-4040B will also read DVD media at 12-speed and CD media at 32-speed.

Inside the box you’ll find the drive, the software bundle, a blank DVD-RAM disc, an IDE cable, an audio cable and mounting screws.

Now you’d expect to pay a price premium for a product like this, after all there isn’t another device on the market that can do everything that this LG drive can do. Amazingly though, this is actually one of the cheapest drives on test, with a current price of £115.15. We’re not sure how LG has managed to keep the price so low on such a feature rich product, but it makes the GSA-4040B an unbelievable DVD bargain.

Verdict

LG has created a DVD writer for anyone who’s scared of format wars. With this drive it doesn’t matter which standard fails and which succeeds, because you can write every one of them. Couple the compatibility with the amazing price and it all adds up to a TrustedReviews Editor’s Choice.

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