More and more DVD±RW drives nowadays support 8.5GB dual-layer as well as 4.7GB conventional discs, but many drop to 2.4X speed or slower when recording the high-capacity platters. Samsung Electronics' new Writemaster TS-H552U gets the job done in half the time, with 5X (6.75MB/sec) burning of DVD+R dual-layer media. Samsung says the drive is also more stable in dual-layer operation than earlier drives.

The $75 internal drive can also record DVD+R and DVD-R discs at 16X and DVD+RW and DVD-RW media at 4X speed, as well as offering 16X DVD-ROM and 8X DVD±RW playback and 40/32/48X CD-RW functionality. It has a 2MB buffer with buffer underrun error prevention technology, as well as Samsung's Silent Pulse Width Modulation and Automatic Ball Bancing System to reduce noise when reading or writing at high speeds and automatic speed optimization based on disc quality.