Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 13652	2001-12-11 04:53:00	DVD DRIVE	Guest (0)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
27266	2001-12-11 04:53:00	Hi Everyone, I am thinking of throwing some dosh @ a DVD player, but am uncertain whether to buy a DVD Drive for my computer - or spend the extra on a 'set top unit' Can some-one tell me if the picture quality of a DVD drive is any different to the picture quality of a 'set top' unit - bearing in mind I have a PC screen almost as large as my telly. And one last question - what is the difference in the 12 or 16 speed units. I see Dick Smith has Asus 12 x IED DVD's for $180 - would this be a good buy Thanks for any advice, RINGO	Guest (0)
27267	2001-12-11 08:20:00	If I had a TV that could handle a DVD player (cause I don't have AV inputs in mine) I would have got one instead of my DVD drive... but that's said in hind-sight :) If you can get the drive, software and OS to be friendly with each other (which took a LONG time for me) the picture is pretty good, plus you get access to extra stuff on the DVD that a set-top can't access (cause its for the PC). But the thing about a set-top is that you get to enjoy it from the couch on a tv, rather than sitting watching a computer screen. Even though the screen may be almost as big, it still feels like your looking at a computer screen (don't ask me why!) Anyway, I'm happy with my DVD-Rom, but I think I'd be happier with a set-top now :) Mike. PS My choice for Player software is WinDVD. My drive came bundled with PowerDVD, which is supposed to be just as good, but I had endless problems (you may remember my post from about 2 months ago about the problems I had with my DVD...) and weren't solved until I uninstalled PowerDVD and installed WinDVD (which for some reason was bundled with something else I bought) which works a treat, and I'm really happy with it now (besides wanting a set-top!) good luck!	Guest (0)
27268	2001-12-11 08:24:00	Oh yes, I forgot to add this! DO NOT!!! buy a DVD drive from Dick Smith! When I bought my DVD I shopped around BIG time, and found the same make and model that I ended up buying was for sale at Dick Smith for more than $100 than what I paid at a shop 5 minutes down the road. I paid $180 for a 12x a few months ago, and it was $290 at Dick Smith for the exact same one. You say you can get a 12x for $180... I saw recently (can't remember where, sorry) a few places selling 16x for the same price, so do your shopping around first, and don't buy from Dick Smith or Noel Leemings, as they tend to be quite expensive for that sort of thing.	Guest (0)
27269	2001-12-11 09:41:00	I think the answer comes down to whether you are going to have many software titles on DVD to run on your computer. If you've got a TV out on your video card you can always drag the computer round to buy the TV anyway. When watching movies the bigger the screen the better, there's probably more chance that you'll end up with a bigger TV at some stage, (please tell me that when monitor and TV are around the same size, they're not both 14' or anything like that). In the way of 12x or 16x the faster the better, but of course different brands are better than others. I think the Asus would be ok. Also one of the key things to remeber when purchasing a DVD drive/player is it multi-zone or can it easily be modified to be multi-zone. I see there is a free program called DVD Region Killer 2 made by the same people that made CloneCD, which is downloadable from www.elby.org this will let you play any region DVD in your DVD drive without having to change firmwares or change the zone that Windows is set up for. Also for watching movies (if going for the DVD drive) you will probably want a MPEG Decoder Card which will take the load off the processor and let the Decoder Card to it. Hope this helps JM	Guest (0)
27270	2001-12-11 21:17:00	A 6x speed is fine look on trademe.co.nz dvds only get read at 1x speed anyway all the hype is really irrelevant. I have a hollywood plus card as well in my 400 MHZ pc which allows me to output to my video and kenwood home theatre system awesome sound and picture. you dont need it if you just want to use your monitor though it does allow you to bypass the zone and macrovision protection crap which is standard on most standalone dvd players. Had problems with power dvd myself	Guest (0)
27271	2001-12-11 23:22:00	Hi Gordon, What is the story with the HOLLYWOOD PLUS CARD..... where do you buy, and what do they cost? RINGO	Guest (0)
1