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Thread ID: 64901 2006-01-01 08:38:00 DVD Reader/Writers - External - Which One? Ginger Boy (9518) Press F1
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417173 2006-01-01 08:38:00 I have been seeking out an external (usb and/or firewire) DVD Writer. I have read some of the notes on Press F1 but they are now historical and if I am to get one now I may as well get a new model - i.e. one that will handle the newer dual layer discs etc.
I also want it to handle normal DVD's and - a must if possible - also standard CD's to read and write?
I am pretty new to this technical stuff - CD plus R and CD minus R and so on....whatever all that is.......so need some much more knowledgeable person to advise me on brands and models.
First criteria is to have a unit that is all encompassing in its capabilities - I don't want to have to think of a second unit to do something that the main unit doesn't do!. So price (within reason) is not the limiting factor (it may be if I have to go overboard to get what I want) but hope not.
Haven't found too many that are available in NZ - ones looked at are Iomega Super DVD Drive (don't know if in NZ) and Sony DRX800UL .
Would appreciate advice and details and any links and buying sources etc.
Hope not everyone is away on holiday so can get some advice soon - Happy New Year to all.
Ginger Boy (9518)
417174 2006-01-01 08:53:00 Most (or all) DVD burners burn dvds, and cd's .

And read cds and play dvds .

It depends on how much you want to spend, but internal dvd burners are pretty cheap now . They range from $75-80 - $100 (or more) .

Quite a few support dual layer . BUT dual layer blanks aren't that cheap .

Altho, I see the shop down the road are selling Mitsubishi DL DVD+R blanks for $6 . 50 each .

Dont know what theyre like, havent tried dual layer blanks yet .

I use ASUS burners here . Reliable, and never had probs with them .

Here's a list ( . edencomputers . co . nz/c . aspx?c=Hardware&s=ODD+and+FDD&ss=DVDRW" target="_blank">www . edencomputers . co . nz) of internal/external burners down the road .

And here ( . activecatalog . co . nz/prod/compulink/Products . aspx?catid=197&page=1" target="_blank">www . activecatalog . co . nz) which is situated in Khyber Pass Auckland .

Thats if you're in NZ .
Speedy Gonzales (78)
417175 2006-01-01 08:57:00 Don't forget you can buy an external USB2 bay that you can chuck any drive into which will also often come with the ability to swap for a HDD etc. The price may work out similar to just a External writer as the Externals are far more expensive than internals.

As for drive itself, I would go LG, there failure rate is extremely low and they usually get great write ups. Stare clear of BTC and Cyberdrive DON"T DO IT, and I am sure there are a few that will second that.
Battleneter (60)
417176 2006-01-01 10:38:00 Yep seconded ...

Samsung haven't given me much strife ..

www.samsung.com

Less than $200 and dual layer capable
KatiMike (242)
417177 2006-01-02 00:39:00 One thing that might be of interest is that transfer rates for usb burners are quite a bit slower than are IDE. The one good thing with usb burners is that they can sit on your desk. howardepgco (9451)
417178 2006-01-02 01:55:00 One thing that might be of interest is that transfer rates for usb burners are quite a bit slower than are IDE. The one good thing with usb burners is that they can sit on your desk.


Yes they are, I would only use one on a Notebook. Always internal for PC's where ever possible, cheaper and faster, he hasn't actually stated what its for so...
Battleneter (60)
417179 2006-01-02 03:43:00 i borrowed a friends external usb BTC 16x dvd dl drive recently to burn 35ish dvds off my drive (i hadnt backed up in a few years and one of my drives started to die) gave me no trouble so i went out and got a btc internal one. Talon (2871)
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