Hitachi has produced CD and DVD drives for a while and the GF range is its latest offering in the DVD-RAM sector. It comes in two versions; the GF-1050 for connection via SCSI and the one we've reviewed here, the GF-1000, which is an IDE version.

This drive is unique in our group test in having an IDE interface and, as it will fulfil all the functions of a CDROM drive, you could swap it out for your existing drive with the minimum of fuss. However, if you've enough room for another drive in your box, then it will install with little trouble. Remember that it's best to attach slower devices like CDs, etc. on the second IDE port and leave the primary interface for hard drives. If you're doing this and keeping your existing CD then this drive will need to be set up as a Slave drive to your existing Master drive; this is as simple as setting a jumper at the rear of the drive.

Installing the software sets up the same dual icons as we've seen before and with the UDF filing system, data can be written and read in the normal manner. Mechanically, this drive is not as smooth as the others we've tested and is noisier, although this didn't cause any read/write problems. Although not as fast as the SCSI drives we've tested here, this drive will perform fast enough for most users. Simple to fit, without the need for any extra cards in your system, this is an economical and quick way to get up and running with DVD-RAM.