I am looking to buy an external DVD burner and would like to get recommendations from people who are using them daily - speed, reliability, compatibility and of course, price are all important. What can you recommend?
I won't make any recommendations on drives but plextor is the caddy but also the most expensive. I like benq and lite-on. I will recommend looking and buying from newegg for best prices. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=list&SubCategory=420
... Here's a goodie for under $100 ... http://newsite.pagecomputers.com/store/Product_accessoriesx.asp?catalog%5Fname=Storage+Devices&category%5Fname=29g29c185s1274&product%5Fid=737697
I own four external burners, and go with Mort and recommend either the plextor, although it is pricey but worth the money, and the BenQ. I also own a lite-on external that has worked out well, and an older NEC 1300a that has never given me one bit of problems. Stay away from I/O Magic they are the pits in externals and have ALI chipsets that do not get along with Nero. Also, MadDog can give headaches too in the area of SCSI problems. Just my two cents.
I use the Lite-on with my laptop, and the NEC is older and has about a 1000 burns on it so I bought the Plexie to replace it. The I/O Magic is junk and caused system crashes because of the ALI chipset, it sits in box. I just prefer externals. I had bad luck with an internal a few years ago so I just started using externals. I finally bought an internal a few months ago, and it works okay which surprised me.
Well, it looks like the "Plextor" is pretty good and it sure is looking prominent. That is what the majority members here at AD.com first recommendation for sure. I might grab the Plextor someday in the near future once my Sony DRU701A is dead. I've had my Sony since November 2004 and it has been burning flawlessly. However, keep in mind that there will always be issues when it comes to dvd writer -- there is no such burner is the best/top of all burners. People will either write too fast and that would failed the burning process, they need to update the dvd burner's firmware for performances and media compatibility, or it's either media issue alone. In contrast, there are tons of good dvd burners out there in the market, so pick whatever that you've got the most experiences hands on. You and I may have the same dvd burner (model), however, you could end up with dozen of failed burning that produced "coasters" and I, on the other hand, can back up all my dvd collections beautifully. In the end, it all boils down to experiences and media in combination. The choice is yours to make, it's your money. Therefore, choose it wisely.
I like Pioneer, had lite on and (nec memorex) both craped out on me I bought pioneer 108 blk and I havent had a problem it was only 49 dollars
Whatever you do, stay away from MadDog. I made the mistake of getting one. I'll put it this way... I'm so happy I have an internal burner in my laptop.
... The Plextor PX-740A is a rebadged Benq, however, the PX-716A is the true Plextor made and designed top-of-the-line burner ... Here's a nifty drive that can capture and record Tv signals ... http://www.plextor.com/english/products/TV100Uspecifications.htm
catfreak, I'm not contradicting you but am just curious. How did you determine that the plextor PX-740A is a rebadged benq? It's f/w looks like genuine plextor f/w and I can not find anywhere that it is not a genuine plextor or a rebadged benq. I'm only curious and seeking for knowledge. Thanks. Mort
The 740 indeed is a BenQ unit. Has the same firmware, as the BenQ. Also note that the PlexTool software will not work with this drive as it is not a OEM Plextor. Regards EVIL Teken . . .
Hmmm, the firmware page shows it useing the same original f/w as the PX-716A. http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?category=4&manufactor=38
... There is also a post here at AD about someone buying one ... .. Read the third post down by Er1k .. http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/201323
That is correct the 740 is in fact a rebadged BenQ 1640. The PlexTool XL is not the same as the OEM version. As it was stated in the other thread, key features in the PlexTools are not accessible in the 740 drive, as it does not have the same firmware / hardware. At the end of the day, both drives are the same, purchase what ever one is the cheapest. Regards EVIL Teken . . .
Take it from me, they are exactly the same drives. If you want a Plex get the 716A, that is the real Plextor, the new 740 is a rebadged BenQ 1640. P.S. The drive is new and has alot of problems'
