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Lite-on iHBS112 internal Blu-ray writer

Cheap and fast - cheerful too?

One special feature that I was unable to put to the test was the unit's claimed support for 3D movie playback in conjunction with a 3D HD TV. Lite-On also says the drive can convert 2D content to 3D on the fly.

Lite-On iHBS112

3D compatible, apparently

A notable black mark on the iHBS112's otherwise faultless performance was the troublesome installation of CyberLink's BD Solution suite. The installation of Power2Go was interrupted by the message: 'Error! The product definitation [sic] file lost'. Lost to whom, I wonder. The PowerDirector installer just went bananas, launching itself over and over again until I had 20 of the little buggers running simultaneously but not actually appearing to install anything. Just to complete the annoyance, the improperly installed programs then refused to be uninstalled.

I solved the matter by ditching program remnants, cleaning the Registry as best I could and then installing Blu-ray compatible CyberLink applications afresh from my own copy of the Media Suite installer. That's no help to the average buyer, though, and I am a bit concerned because I've experienced a similar problem with a CyberLink installer once before.

A slightly more advanced version of the iHBS112, the iHBS212, supports LightScribe disc label etching and costs £136.

Verdict

Lite-On's joint venture with Philips continues to pay dividends as far as hardware buyers are concerned. The iHBS112 is a fast, quiet and seemingly reliable BD/DVD/CD burner that is relatively inexpensive to buy and quick to fit. I just wish the bundled software had been as easy to install. ®

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Lite-On iHBS112

Lite-on iHBS112 internal Blu-ray writer

Read and burn CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs cheaply.
Price: £123 RRP

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