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Thread ID: 63078 2005-10-28 19:45:00 DVD-R/-RW external drive recommendations please emma73 (9156) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
400070 2005-10-28 19:45:00 Dell 8400, P4, Win XP, 1 GB ram, 60 GB HD, 3 . 0 Ghz,
16x DVD+RW/+R , IEEE 1394 adapter

I am looking for recommendations on a DVD-R/RW external drive as my current drives' format is only DVD+ .

I've been looking around at reviews and specs but end up a little confused which isn't too hard for me .

Couple of questions:
Am I correct in thinking it would be better if it was able to connect via IEEE 1394 as opposed to USB for better speed?
Also, I ran across the phrase 'black replacement bezel' . Can anyone tell me what that means?

Can anyone suggest a good brand I should consider?
I don't mind paying more for a good quality unit .
emma73 (9156)
400071 2005-10-28 19:58:00 The ASUS burners arent too bad . Well the internal ones are good .

Altho, I dont know where u could get external ones from in NZ .

They'll be here somewhere . And whether they support firewire . I suppose they might, if u get some kind of external enclosure . BUT firewire, would definitely be faster, than USB 2 .

Black replacement bezel, might mean the faceplate??

As some burners are black, some are white, and some maybe interchangeable .
Speedy Gonzales (78)
400072 2005-10-28 20:01:00 USB2 or Firewire should both be fine. Just make sure your laptop has USB2 (I'm fairly sure it will).

"black replacement bezel" probably refers to the face plate - so you can match it to your casing (not sure how this fits with being an external drive).

We use a Sony drive at work. Its been fairly reliable and looks pretty on my desk :-)

Also, it might be worth trying to find out if there is a firmware revision that will upgrade your drive to include the format you want.
Freejack (375)
400073 2005-10-28 20:08:00 It never dawned on me that I could update my firmware on my current drive!!
You couldn't point me in the direction for that information could you?
emma73 (9156)
400074 2005-10-28 20:13:00 Sure - post the exact model of the drive (get it from device manager) and some-one might be able to help.

BUT - treat any firmware upgrade with lots of caution - it has the potential to trash the drive if it goes wrong. :-> sorry, had to say that bit
Freejack (375)
400075 2005-10-28 20:50:00 [BUT - treat any firmware upgrade with lots of caution - it has the potential to trash the drive if it goes wrong . :-> sorry, had to say that bit]

No that's great-thanks for the advanced warning . I'll definitely do my homework first .

drive model is NEC ND 3100AD .

I've been searching the Dell drivers download site and forums for clues also .
emma73 (9156)
400076 2005-10-28 20:52:00 You may have a "NEC ND3100A". If so, read this;
club.cdfreaks.com

This link : download.cdfreaks.com (its off that page) might be of use too.
Freejack (375)
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