Lite-On preps a 20X Serial ATA DVD burner

[chaminga_d]

The fastest recordable DVD media out there is generally rated for 16X, but that hasn't stopped a number of DVD burner manufacturers from releasing drives capable of higher burn speeds. According to a report by The Inquirer, Lite-On will soon introduce a burner that's not only rated for a maximum speed of 20X, but also uses a Serial ATA interface instead of IDE. The drive will be called the LH-20A1S, and it will come out in mid-February at a U.K. price of £32. If one takes out the British value added tax, that price should be equivalent to around $52 in the U.S. For reference, Lite-On's existing 16X Serial ATA burner, the SH-16A7S-06, is currently priced at $36.99 at Newegg.

[Anusha]

SATA burners are significantly expensive than PATA. I wonder why? I mean, there is no price difference between the SATA and PATA hard drives. Hmmmm....

[chaminga_d]

These are just PATA drives with SATA bridges. I expect the price difference will be similar to the 16x PATA vs SATA drives although it might be higher initially because of Newegg's on-demand pricing other shops will carry it as well. So call it <$40. The only catch is supply, the 16x SATA goes in and out of stock and I'm sure the 20x will have higher demand.

[Anusha]

These are just PATA drives with SATA bridges. I expect the price difference will be similar to the 16x PATA vs SATA drives although it might be higher initially because of Newegg's on-demand pricing other shops will carry it as well. So call it <$40. The only catch is supply, the 16x SATA goes in and out of stock and I'm sure the 20x will have higher demand.
Could be...But I'm not sure if there is a big demand for SATA optical drives. You are not gonna see a performance boost. Only the cable will get thiner.