Just bought one of these - needed a new one so go for the best/fastest as you do.

BUT BEWARE ANYONE WHO'S THINKING OF ONE OF THESE

Although its rated to write at up to 18x it is very rare that you will get anything more than 4x.

Put the writer in the machine and tried it with various discs only 2 of 7 types tried wrote at their rated speed. These were datawrite and verbatim

Got in touch with LG through there support section to query if there was a firmware upgrade or anything and told no to this but also told that the problem could be that this writer has a kind of memory built in with recognition for different types of discs and their related write speeds

The bottom line is if the discs you are using aren't in its memory then it will default to 4x regardless.

Not an expensive mistake (£30) but hopefully others can learn from it

Hi zxr

Expense is relative, £30 is a lot to me and no doubt many others.

Thanks for your advice.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried returning the writer because it most certainly doesn’t do what it says on the tin.

Just a thought

thats the next step as soon as I get a day off work withoout other things getting in the way

just in case anyones interested this is the reply I got from LGs helpdesk

Thank you for your email Have you changed the brand of disc you are using to burn? The device has an internal memory that holds media codes for various types and brands of discs. If the DVD you are using has a media code that is not in this list it will default to a maximum burn speed of 4x. There are two things that you can try 1. Update the firmware (if you don't have the latest) available from http://gb.lgservice.com or 2. Use a recommended brand of media for the disc type you are using (see owners manual) Best regards, LG Electronics UK Helpdesk

Obviously I haven't changed the type of dis I use as I hadn't used any in it and there isn't any updates and nothing in the owners manual

Am using that burner now, no probs whatso ever.
Burns 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x 16,
I only use Ritek Disks

latest reply from customer support is

The model you have is one of the newest LG models and as such there would not be a firmware update available for it yet. Try using the brands that are recommended in the owner's manual and see if that rectifies the problem. If not, then it is possible the drive is faulty. If you have purchased the drive within 28 days, please contact the retailer for an exchange. Otherwise, call our customer services helpline 0870 607 5544. They will let you know how to get the unit serviced.

This coupled with what Budster says - I reckon I have a faulty drive so as soon as I can get it taken back I will and will let you know what happened

New firmware update now available for GSA H22L (18X) from 1.01 to 1.02 from hxxp://us.lgservice.com/ note replace the xx with tt in the URL.

Was very disapointed with this drive until the update was installed.

Hope this helps

Pensioneron

i bought the new pioneer dvdr112d which also is able to burn dvds at 18x cost just £24.(oem) not using 16x dvds atm but it would burn some 8xdl+dvdr at full speed which my pioneer dvdr 111d would not (i never burn these at full speed anyhow) i could have got the sony one for £20 oem but i prefer pioneer.

I find it Very fast & reliable also , I use Ritek G05's & have a great success rate & good burning speed!

LG Super Multi DVD/CD 4x 6x 8x 12x 16x, Very Good, I Use It..