DVD-ROM Drive Recommendations

[The J]

I'm hoping I can fix my current one, but I don't see that happening.

Not too long ago, I upgraded my computer with an MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum and an Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester. Basically, my DVD-ROM started out reading discs very, very slowly until it eventually stopped working. It will no longer read any CDs or DVDs. My CD-RW drive works fine. It seems that I need a new DVD-ROM since any troubleshooting I tried didn't work.

I made sure the drive was detected by my BIOS and Windows XP, got new firmware for the drive (D1SE, which allows my drive to read DL DVDs. Yay!), tried using the drive alone as Secondary Master, and tried blowing out the inside with compressed air (blew into tray area at first, but later I took the drive apart). None of the above has worked, unless anyone here has any more ideas. The drive is out of warranty.

My DVD-ROM is a Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S. I was hoping I could fix it since I recently read on CDFreaks.com forums that it is one of the best drives available (did not know that when I bought it) and that it's being replaced by the not-so-good 167T. Again, if anyone has any ideas (or maybe known issues with my motherboard/IDE drivers and this drive), I'd like to try those.

So, what's a good DVD-ROM? I don't have the cash for a DVD burner and I really don't even use my CD-RW all that often. I would like a normal DVD-ROM. Should I try to find another HD166S? Is it really one of the best like the CDFreaks.com people said or can I find a different one that's just as good or better?

Thanks for any help and for reading this long post.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I have a lite-on and I like it a lot. It is loud when it really spins up but that's not a big deal.

 

[dsorrent]

I just picked this up LG GSA-4163B Super Multi DVD-writer for $75.00 off of newegg.com

 

[CoolWind]

Might want to check out the NEC 3520a - got good comments on AT recently: only about $65 at NewEgg

http://anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2324&p=7

I put one in my new system (built this weekend) and have found it to be quiet and fast. Added bonus: it's one of the few DVD burners that comes in silver too - blends nicely with a metallic case.

 

[The J]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
I have a lite-on and I like it a lot. It is loud when it really spins up but that's not a big deal.

Mine was the same way, but I didn't mind it at all. I'm still thinking of trying to replace my Lite-On (HD166S) with another of the same model.

Also, I really don't have an interest in DVD burners at the moment. Eventually I will probably replace my CyberDrive CD-RW with one, but for now I just want a player. My major concerns are: reliability, compatibility with copy-protection schemes (my CD-RW has problems here), compatibility with different media types (the latest firmware for mine allows reading of DL discs, which is nice), and speed. I've noticed that some DVD-ROMs have a 512KB buffer (my Lite-On does) and other have a 256KB buffer. I'd imagine I'd want the 512KB one or does it not make much of a difference?

Thanks again.

 

[flyboy84]

I use the Lite-On SOHD-167t...It's a little noisy on spin up, but I'm happy with it.

 

[Peter]

The new Toshiba/Samsung "TSST" alliance drives are pretty neat. Toshiba calls it the 1912, Samsung's version of the exact same thing is H352. Offered with white/silver/black choice of bezel, they differ only in their name string and bezel design.

I've got the latter, and if this is any measure, I have one nastily damaged (and extraordinarily rare) disc I never got to read anywhere - except here. The drive is quiet, and does not blink a huge bright LED while playing (just a tiny, barely noticeable one).

 

[BlueWeasel]

I love my Lite-on 166S DVD drive and really haven't noticed it being loud.

 

[Zepper]

The Asus DVD-ROM drive is nice and quiet.
.bh.

 

[The J]

Thanks for the help, guys! I'll be sure to look up those drives. Now I just need to find someone here at my college willing to let use his credit card...

BlueWeasel: I wouldn't say that it's loud per se, but it can be noisy when it first spins up. It doesn't bother me at all, either, since it's pretty quiet while it's actually playing a DVD or reading the disc.

 

[The J]

Originally posted by: Peter
The new Toshiba/Samsung "TSST" alliance drives are pretty neat. Toshiba calls it the 1912, Samsung's version of the exact same thing is H352. Offered with white/silver/black choice of bezel, they differ only in their name string and bezel design.

I've got the latter, and if this is any measure, I have one nastily damaged (and extraordinarily rare) disc I never got to read anywhere - except here. The drive is quiet, and does not blink a huge bright LED while playing (just a tiny, barely noticeable one).

I take it that this drive [Samsung TS-H352A/WBEH is the one you are referring to? I noticed that there is an "A" at the end of the name (I assume the WBEH refers to a beige bezel) and was wondering if that's a different version or something.

How long have you had that drive? Is it fast? How well does it cope with copy protection schemes (I'm not going to have problems with games that use SafeDisc, for example, am I?)? From what I've seen, I'll either get another Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S or this Samsung drive. I have a Samsung hard drive (Spinpoint SP1213N) and it's been great so I hope their optical drives are the same way.