Question 1

Does this play DVDs and CDs?

Thanks!

Accepted Answer

Yes for Windows 8, 8.1 (assuming that media center is present) and Windows 7, playing CDs and DVDs. I don't know about other operating systems. I've used it to install programs and to edit sound and video files and then to burn CDs and DVDs (using Sony software). I've used mine since sometime in 2013, with no problems.

I used an earlier model of the same hardware for several years with no problems. It finally stopped writing to disks, but still reads them. I'd give both of them 5 stars.

Question 2

Does this unit have a power (on/off) switch in the rear of the case? (No picture of rear shown in listing.)

Accepted Answer

Nope -- the only button on this unit is open/close tray button on the front that you can see in the picture.  The back of the unit has a usb port and power cord port---that's it.

Question 3

Is this dvd writer safe for laptops and is a lightscribe?

Accepted Answer

It is 'safe' for any system. It simply connects through USB. It has it's own 'wall wort' power supply, so have a 120v wall socket somewhere close by to power this drive. I have thrown the box away, so I don't know about Lightscribe, as I've never used that service.

In fact, if I had a mid-ATX sized case to work with and not a laptop, I wouldn't be buying this in the first place. I would buy an internally mounted optical drive. Unfortunately, the laptop I bought did not have an optical drive stock, hence why I bought this product. And this product has performed well thus far.

Hope this helps. :)

Question 4

Does the blank DVD just drop into the tray like a regular built-in optical drive?  Or is it necessary to snap the blank disc on to a center hub like the slim optical drives?

Accepted Answer

Just sets on the tray,  plus theres lil' tabs orond the outside of the tray that hold the disk so the unit can sit on either side.. I had it sideways for a while with no problems, even though it looks like the disk should fall out . Great burner. Been using it alot for over 2 years now.

Question 5

Does this unit have LightScribe?

Accepted Answer

LS is *not* listed on the box nor the paper stuff inside.  The "install" disk which comes with the drive supposedly has a utility called "LabelPrint".  I haven't used the latter (I'm more of a Sharpie(R) kind of guy), as I don't burn much other than backups.  A quick search shows that "LabelPrint" is actually a CyberLink product.  CyberLink's web site says that it does print to LightScribe and LabelFlash disks...however, I've never bother to to check out what is actually on that "install" disk.

Question 6

Help?
No Software with it????

Accepted Answer

Does not need software. It is plug and play. Maybe with LiteScribe, which I do not use.  Just for burning, your computer should automatically detect and install drivers. Windows 7 has CD/DVD burning capabilities.  I burn a lot of iso images, and use IMGBurn for that, because I can run upwards of 12 burners off the same iso image at the same time. (weekly church service DVDs)

Question 7

Does this  come with a cord?

Accepted Answer

I assume you mean a power cord.  Yes, it comes with a 12 VDC 3A wall transformer with adapters for different kinds of AC sockets.  I think a USB cable also came with it.  If not, it's just a standard USB A to USB B cable (not mini or micro).

Question 8

Can this create double-density DVDs?

Accepted Answer

I am assuming when you say double-density you mean Dual Layer discs. Yes is the answer to the question. Dual layer discs are double the storage as a standard DVD.

Question 9

Is usb compatible with windows 8.1?  Previously LG will not work w/8.1, thx!

Accepted Answer

Sorry Mike S.  I have no idea.  I have a very stable Windows XP Pro that I prefer.
I went to LG's website for this drive and they do NOT list Windows 8 operating system.

Question 10

I just ordered this drive, but I was reading back over the specs, and it doesn't say whether it will work with a mac. Will it?

Accepted Answer

According to the set up guide that comes with the rewriter it will work with Mac OS X v10.5.4 or higher.  For more detailed info check the LG website , the model number on the set up guide is GE24NU40.  Hope this helps, unit works very well.

Questions & Answers