LiteOn iHAS524 review

The LiteOn iHAS524 is the first internal DVD writer we’ve seen with the new LabelTag disc labelling technology. Unlike the more widespread LightScribe, LabelTag etches text or images onto the data side of any single layer DVD, so you don’t need special discs.

Labels are created using the included copy of Nero Essentials, but text labels are limited to just 20 characters. In our tests the iHAS524 took an extra five minutes to burn a 20 character sentence. The label leaves less space on the disc for your data, in our case around 1GB.

This is made more annoying by the fact that the Nero software’s label creation dialog box pops up after you’ve chosen the files to be copied to disc – if there’s not enough room for your label then you have to go back and forth removing files until there is.

The iHAS524 has claimed single layer DVD write speeds of 24X, although we never expect DVD writers to reach these theoretical speeds. The iHAS524 managed around 9.7X burning single layer discs in our tests – a respectable but unremarkable score. It couldn’t reach its claimed 12X for writing 8.5GB discs, but was nevertheless quick managing 7.1X.

Included in the Nero software bundle is the Nero Recode program. This can squeeze an 8.5GB DVD movie onto a 4.7GB disc, which is handy if you want to save money on media. Mounting screws are also included, but you’ll need to provide your own SATA data cable.

The LiteOn iHAS524 is an inexpensive DVD writer that’s quick at burning most disc types. The LabelTag feature has some rough edges, but for occasional use it’s a convenient alternative to using a marker pen. If you don’t need the LabelTag feature, then Samsung’s otherwise very-similar SH-S223 is a bit quicker at writing single layer DVDs and costs a similar amount.