Okay, I've asked this question in a few threads all over the place on different sites. Now I just want to bring it all together in this one thread. I want to buy a new dvd writer but am comfused about what to get. This site I found has some good reviews: http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/computerequipment/tp/10bestdvdbrn_RO.htm So what do u all recommend? (Ps it has to be an external writer and hopefully no more than £50)
If you are limited in the money you want to spend then stick with Lite-on or BenQ, which is not one the list. I think that list is a little old. Both of these drives will booktype which is a good thing if you want your disks to be compatible with older dvd players. The pioneer drives will not. I do not recommend a I/O Magic I had one of these USB burners and it did not work correctly with three different computers, the chipset in the case was ALI and was not a good chipset. If you go with a BenQ you can also pick up a USB that has the lightscribe feature. The LG brand will also booktype, but I am not familiar with the brand but hear it is okay.
Hi there, In the list, you see the NEC-3500a. I have a Dell OEM NEC-3450a and also bought a NEC-3550a which I am very happy with !
@arniebear, I use LG Brand Exclusively & I can tell you they make a Excellent DVD Burner. I have several models. GSA-4120B, will booktype. GSA-4160B, will NOT booktype. GSA-4163B, will booktype. Newest: GSA-4167B, will booktype. All of these have been Extremely Reliable. I also use LG DVD-ROM drives for readers (Rippers)They also have been reliable too. And fast & quiet. All my LG drives have proven to be "Durable" as well as reliable. I have one burner that's burned well over 1000 discs without a hiccup. I know there are other great drives out there. But for My Money, I will stick with LG. They have a great product, a great website with easy to find firmware updates & great tech support too.
I think arniebear is right, I think the list is old. I highly recommend Plextor. I have the 716A dual layer. Comes w/ great software, PlexTools. Great for using w/ Burning software that burns at max. speeds. Plextors cost more, but from my experience is well worth it. The best burning investment I've made so far, also being SlySoft software & Verbatim media.
kkre4605 , That list is just somone's opinion and he had it published on the web. Go w/ either the Plextor, NEC or Pioneer
That list is SO outdated. I'm with arniebear. BenQ = best bang for the buck and also very dependable and durable. Second choice would be a lite-on. Plextor's are the caddy but more than most want or need.
Hi, I'm back again, thanks for your response guys. After reading up on your suggestions I've decided to go for a BenQ DW1650. But, can I ask two questions, 1. this writer does allow booktyping, because I read it does? 2. Are there two verisons of this writer, as in internal and external because I have two links for this?: External: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BenQ-DW1650-D...8783937722QQcategoryZ3754QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Internal: http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/226286/art/benq/dw1650-dvd-rw-16x-writer.html Thanks again!
The pics are both showing an internal drive, no external there. If you want to make this drive external you will have to purchase and enclosure. This model is not available as an external.
Back again! Arniebear, u said that I would have to purchase an enclosure, but didn't the first ebay link have an enclosure come with the drive. Also I have found one more drive that has an enclosure, which I believe also has bitsetting, can u confirm this, (I have googled it and it says yes, but I want to be sure!): http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EXTERNAL-LG-G...oryZ3754QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting Now, with the enclosure, does the drive just slot into it so as if to pretend that it is in a computer tower? and lastly does the link above have everything with it that I need? Thanks again, and sorry if I am asking dumb questions!
The benq 1650 is capable of bitsetting and from what I can tell the first link does include an enclosure. If I was in the market for a new drive, the 1650 is what I would go with.
So Is this everything that I will need with the BEnQ drive? 1) NERO 6 OEM VERSION + DRIVER DISC; 2) USB 2.0 CABLE AND POWER ADAPTER; 3) E-ACCESS EXTERNAL USB 2.0 ENCLOSURE FOR BENQ DW1650; 4) TWO LG DVD-R DISKS. And lastly, with 3) does E-access external usb enclosure just mean that it is an enclosure, which will allow the usb cable to attach from the drive to my computer?
The benq 1650: Sweet drive.Congrats goes out to you on your choice. I just installed mine yesterday-internal/updated firmware/and set up the booktyping with Q-suite 2.0. A few members said this drive would booktype out of the box,but answering another member with that same drive-I had him download qsuite 2.0 and his compatability issue was solved.It may booktype,and it may not. Just use qsuite 2.0. I'm an internal benq guy.If I had to the external route,definitely a regulare internal drive placed in a external enclosure. Here's the link for qsuite. Some members had trouble with qsuite 2.1,so I only advise 2.0: http://support.benq.com/front/BenqM...langu=null&ops=null&GenMenu=&RootId=undefined There's some other great features in qsuite: Solidburn/over burn protection/qscan-scan your blank dvds at certain speed and the drive will be able to tell you if it can handle them.
