Well I am assuming my DRU710A is toast after all of my current problems with it. So I am in the market for a new burner. I never even heard of BenQ until today so I added it to my list to research. But I decided to come see you fine people first for your opinions. Here are my choices: Sony External DRX820U Pioneer DVR-710B5PK BenQ 1650/1655 HP External DVD840RE or ______________ add your own option here I burn music and backup my DVD movies mostly. Nothing too fancy. Maybe some data in there too. So what do you folks think? And while I'm her, what are the pros and cons of external vs. internal DVD burners? Thanks.
Hi, I wouldn't add particularly. Remove the HP drive. Possibly consider the Sony 810UL in place of the 820. If the 810 fails to deliver you can crossflash to a BenQ 164B(external version of 1640). As 2 of the drives are external I'm assuming that's your preference. If this is the case then the 1650 or 1655 without external f/w is not for you at this moment in time. Internal drives will give better quicker & more consistant results. External drive are a necessary evil that some users have to fall back on. That's not to say they're rubbish, just second best. If going for internal either the 1650 or 1655 will not let you down.
thanks for the reply. as for the HP, Pioneer and Sony . . . I work in electronics retail and those are the only ones we really have any stock in and I'd like to get a new one this week. The only preference I have is that the device is reliable regardless if it's external or internal. Why would you go with the 810 over the 820 out of curiosity? But 1650/1655 is the way to go you think?
Hi, The HP is badly supported by comparison. The Sony 810 just gives more options at present.(Due to the ability to crossflash). The 820 is OK. Pioneer is very good, but slow with f/w. BenQ are the 'it' drives of the moment. If going for one drive. Go internal. Go BenQ 1655. If possible. If not the Sony then Pioneer. But don't bother with HP. My best friend works for HP R&D here in the UK. Even though he could one 'free'. He still went out & bought a BenQ 1655.
I am no fan of HP dvd burners. I own the 640c,but because of it's performance-I use it to rip and lightscribe. Low compatability rate on stand alone players and too many crc errors on my quality media. Take that off your list, LOL Pioneer: I'm not familiar with that specific model#. Benq 1640 if you can locate one,the 1650-which is on sale at newegg.com for $37,and if lightscribing-the 1655. Sony: I'd take the regular dru-700/710/800/810/and 820. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827101010 Externally: Only as a last resort that no tower space was available.Lots of crappy external drives out there.A lot of peeps buy internal drives-like the NEC 3550/etc and place them in external enclosures-hooking them up via USB 2.0 or Firewire. Oh yes,you should have USB 2.0 for the external route. If you got multiple dvd drives,use the other drive as a ripper and the benq just for burning. That benq should last you a very long time. Don't let the prices of those benqs at newegg.com fool you. These are quality booktyping capable dvd-rw drives. I'd ignore the dvd-ram capable benqs if they are still listed there.That still newer technology drives,and not very good reports on them. If you want your backups to play just about anywhere,get a benq/use the plus format/and booktype them to dvd-rom.Also have very regular firmware updates,unlike HP.
great reply. thanks. I currently have the Sony DRU710A and after a year it is crapping out on me. Will only read memorex media and will not recognize anything else. All other media just spins and makes a grinding sound in the tray. All my firmware is up to date and all that jazz. I think it's just dying. Strangely enough I am hearing about similar issues with this model. oh well. BenQ it is.
