dvd drives

[liloutlaws]

i think its about time i finally buy dvd drives and dvd writers since they are so cheap these days.

does it matter what brand to go for? i mean they're so cheap i'm almost don't care if they only last 2 years or so. if u guys think it does matter..what brand names do u guys recommend for just readers and for just dvd burners?

thanks,
tony

 

[overst33r]

For a dvd-rom i would suggest a Lite-on or Asus. I would spring for a burner instead, they are so cheap and this one is the best bang for the buck right now.

 

[knothead34]

i have a lite-on dvd rom i like. i would recommend the nec burner also.

 

[Lemodular]

I have used both the NEC3520 and the BenQ1620, they are both good for the money, but I prefer the BenQ; quieter and faster. No hacked firmware needed.

 

[DavidoFoo]

dvd-rom: toshiba M1912

dvd burner: pioneer dvr-109

 

[Hurricane Andrew]

I just built a new system for myself for work, and used the NEC. It's pretty sweet. Not much in the way of burning yet, but it is pretty darn quiet (especially compared to the Samsung DL burner in my old work box). All burns have been perfect, inlcuding a Ghost2003 image spanning two DVD's.

 

[cubby1223]

Toshiba all the way.

Lite-On has never impressed me, their dvd-roms seem rather loud.

 

[liloutlaws]

well in general? do dvd burners and readers matter when it comes to the brand? i basically just want the best bang for the buck kinda deal

 

[Continuity27]

Originally posted by: liloutlaws
well in general? do dvd burners and readers matter when it comes to the brand? i basically just want the best bang for the buck kinda deal

Doesn't get much better than the NEC ND-3520A.

They'll all read DVDs well and at good speeds, but that one is also extremely cheap, and has great burning abilities. :thumbsup:

 

[Tostada]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
For a dvd-rom i would suggest a Lite-on or Asus. I would spring for a burner instead, they are so cheap and this one is the best bang for the buck right now.

Just because it's the cheapest doesn't make it the best bang for the buck. That drive is getting pretty old, and the newer generation of drives are less than $10 more. The Pioneer 109 was actually a little cheaper for a few days last week.

http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?linkid=7006&item=27-129-161

I think it's worth $54.

 

[Sforsyth]

I don't think you can copy a DVD from a reader straight to a burner, but I might be wrong, I tried this with my computer and most of the DVDs I did turned out crappy, so you might just want to get a DVD Writer to do all your reading and writing from it.

 

[zendari]

Originally posted by: Sforsyth
I don't think you can copy a DVD from a reader straight to a burner, but I might be wrong, I tried this with my computer and most of the DVDs I did turned out crappy, so you might just want to get a DVD Writer to do all your reading and writing from it.

You can still do CD to CD copies though I believe.

 

[liloutlaws]

well i just assume you don't constantly want to use your writing dvd for reading purposes to preserve from wear and tear. or do they use different sensors for that?

 

[cryptonomicon]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
I would spring for a burner instead, they are so cheap and this one is the best bang for the buck right now.

yep

 

[Nick5324]

Newegg just got the NEC 3540 in, however the pioneer DVR-109 is a good choice also.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: DavidoFoo

dvd burner: pioneer dvr-109

I highly recommend Pioneer. Never any probs. Most media tests on pioneer so its the most reliable drive, IMO.

 

[Kogan]

Lite-on has been making the best dvd readers for a long time

Pioneer and NEC have recently been making the best dvd burners. I'd choose Pioneer over NEC, but it depends on which is cheaper Actually, choose whichever one supports burning dvd+r media as booktype ROM. I got a hacked firmware for my pioneer 108 that does that. I don't know if NEC drives support it or not.

 

[airfoil]

Aopen makes the fastest DVD-ROMs around, they are a must buy if you can find them. I believe the model was the AAP 1648. You could also look for the slot load Pioneer.

When it comes to burners, you cant go wrong with NEC, get the 3520 or 3540.

 

[imported_g33k]

DVD Rom: Asus

DVD Burner : NEC 3520a

Lite on drives have noise issues, stay away from them.

 

[DoNotDisturb]

I'm about to replace my Lite On drive. Yes they are noisy, but the issue at hand is how it is starting to malfunction on me (first time since I owned Lite On drives). It actually ejects the CD improperly in such a way that the CD gets stuck between the tray and the actual drive itself. So far it has destroyed around 2-3 CDs (it doesn't eject improperly all the time, just every once in awhile). I'm about to replace it with most likely an NEC one. I'm actually trying to find a slot-load instead, but they're pretty much gone and I don't have the cash to fork out for a Plextor one.

IMO it doesn't matter too much, but if you're going to use it for other things and care a lot about noise, then stay away from Lite On drives.