the best dvd writer i can get, what are my options?
djshowdown
London
ive been looking at internal dvd writers
cost aint really an issue (how snobby does that sound!) because all the ones ive seen so far are within my price range
so far i have been looking at the benq dw1655
i was thinking though, i dont really need the lightscribe feature. is there anything better than that model?
i was using an nec nd2500a but it recently started clicking and doing all sorts of strange thing and through talking to a technician he came to the conclusion it was time for a replacement
i am living in the uk so if anyone could make some suggestions taking that into account i would be most grateful
thanks all
cost aint really an issue (how snobby does that sound!) because all the ones ive seen so far are within my price range
so far i have been looking at the benq dw1655
i was thinking though, i dont really need the lightscribe feature. is there anything better than that model?
i was using an nec nd2500a but it recently started clicking and doing all sorts of strange thing and through talking to a technician he came to the conclusion it was time for a replacement
i am living in the uk so if anyone could make some suggestions taking that into account i would be most grateful
thanks all
0
Comments
the lightscribe function takes about 25 minutes to burn a full image on the top of a CDR for me, i havent been able to find LS DVDs yet, i also have a Pioneer 109-B which is badass also
looks neat
anyone got one of those?
GrayFox, when you say "Plextor", does that mean you endorse Plextor as a choice of DVD writer for djshowdown?
ppl feel free to add your 2 pence worth
or your 2 dollars or yen, i dont discriminate
i burn audio cd's on a very regular basis and also burn dvd's alot too
i use my burner for back up purposes (when i can remember, doh!)
i also use it to watch dvd's on my pc as well
so basically it needs to be able to do everything to a high standard
So obviously I ment endorse plextor, If you have the money for them there the best.
i may also invest in some ram
are overclockers.co.uk a good company to buy from?
there 2gb ocz gold ram kit looks decent
im thinkin to invest
and to think, i actually believed i would still have money left at the end of the month
never found the need to splurge for a plextor as other drives offer the same performance/features for much less. seems pointless to pay for the plextor name alone.
lightscribe also seems nice, but i haven't found the need to invest in it yet...sharpie works fine for me!
Pioneer stopped being the best when the NEC ND-3520 was released.
NEC has maintained the crown since.
can anybody who is suggesting nec give me some model numbers to look into?
price is around about 30-35 quid
can it do everything that the plextor one can do?
if so then i may just go with that
this is the one you want...
it's affordable and it's quality, i have 2 of them and haven't burned a single coaster in 200+ dvd+r from ridata.
i think the nec 4550 is the UK equivalent of the 3550??? could be wrong on this though.
DVD RW ND-3550
Picture of DVD RW ND-3550
NEC’s speeds up DVD writing with third generation 16x writer
· Slashing dual-layer burning times by up to half
· Increasing the CD writing speeds of the industry-leading 3520A from 24x to 32x
· Faster minus dual-layer recording, from 4x to 6x and quicker plus dual-layer recording, from 4x to 8x*
· Providing the flexibility to choose between all formats and media without compromised performance
NEC (UK) Ltd today announced the launch of the ND3550A, its third-generation 16x DVD writer. The new model delivers faster plus and minus dual-layer recording and improves on the CD-RW speeds of its predecessor, the NEC ND3520A.
The new drive supports all available DVD and CD formats (with the exception of RAM), offering the ultimate in flexibility. With the fastest CD-RW burning capabilities of any DVD writer on the market, it is a versatile and cost-effective solution for burning CDs as well as DVDs, with no compromise on performance or capacity.
Incorporating patented NEC technology, this latest device provides a high-speed, high-capacity, reliable solution for a wide range of applications; from backing up CDs, video collections or backing up hard drives. The new drive enables 1 hour of DVD Video to be recorded in just 6 minutes, and allows users to store up to 8.5 GB onto one DVD disc.
Andrew Wyllie, Business Manager for NEC’s Data Storage Business in the UK, commented: “NEC is poised to become biggest supplier of DVD RW drives in the UK this year. This success in optical storage underlines the importance of our ongoing commitment to R&D and our proven ability to deliver high-performance products which meet customer demands. The ND3550A offers the fastest available DVD recording speeds and we are looking forward to seeing rapid uptake from consumers that recognise the quality that NEC provides.”
The ND-3550A incorporates NEC’s ‘high resolution writing strategy’ and ‘Active Optimized Power Control’ (Active OPC) to enhance the quality of written data. Active OPC dynamically monitors writing power and reflection of the media in use, calculating the optimum laser power and adjusting it in real-time, to overcome issues such as fingerprints on a disc.
The new device supports Windows 98SE, 2000, Me and XP and 2003 server. Windows NT 4.0 is also supported if the video editing function is not required.
The ND3550A will be available in beige, black and silver.
Product Specification
Dust protected enclosure
Emergency eject
IDE/ATAPI interface with UltraDMA33
Internal 12/8cm CD and DVD drive
Tray loads mechanism supporting horizontal and vertical use
Access Time (CD): 140 ms
Access Time (DVD): 160 ms
Audio: Digital-out and line-out at the back (MPC Compatible )
Burst Transfer Rate: PIO Mode 4 / Ultra DMA 33
Cache: 2 MByte
Compatibility: MPC Level 3, MultiRead, PC2001
Dimensions: 148mm x 42mm x 190mm
Interface: IDE / ATAPI
Mechanism: Motorised tray load mechanism for horizontal and vertical use
Media/Mode Supported: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R9, DVD+RW, DVD-Video, CD Extra, CD Text, CD-I Ready, CD-Bridge, Photo CD, Video CD, Hybrid CD
Transfer Rate Read CD: 48x max
Transfer Rate Read DVD: 16x max
Transfer Rate Write (CD): CD-R: 48x, CD-RW: 32x
Transfer Rate Write (DVD): DVD-R: 16x, DVD-R DL: 6x, DVD-RW: 6x, DVD+R: 16x, DVD+R9: 8x, DVD+RW, 8x
Weight: 0.9kg
Anti-dust seal
Emerency eject
MultiRead compliant
PC 2001 Certification
Vertical operation possible
Access Time (CD): 140 ms
Access Time (DVD): 160 ms
Audio Connections: analog- and digital output
Dimensions: 148mm x 42mm x 190mm
Interface: IDE/ATAPI Ultra DMA 33 mode 2
Media Supported: DVD-ROM, DVD-R(DL), DVD-RAM, DVD+R(9*4), DVD-RW, DVD+RW, CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW with 80mm and 120mm diameter
Memory: 2 Mbytes
Modes Supported: DVD-ROM, DVD Video, CD-DA, CD Extra, CD Text, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I, CD-I Ready, CD-Bridge, Photo-CD, Video CD
PIO Mode: Mode 4
Transfer Rate Read CD: 48x max
Transfer Rate Read DVD: 16x max
Transfer Rate Write (CD): CD-R:48x, CD-RW:32x
Transfer Rate Write (DVD): DVD-R:16x, DVD-R DL: 6x, DVD-RW:6x, DVD-RAM:5x, DVD+R:16x, DVD+R9:8x, DVD+RW:8x
Weight: 0.9kg
Writing Methods - CD: DOA (disc at once), SAO (session at once), TAO (track at once) with zero gap, variable or fixed packet, multisession
Writing Methods - DVD: Random writing (DVD +R/+RW, DVD-RAM ver. 2), Sequential writing (DVD +R/+RW, DVD-RAM ver. 2), Incremental (DVD-R/-RW), Multi-Border (DVD -R/-RW) and restricted overwrite (DVD-RW)
(p.s. looks like the 4550 is the same as the benq DQ-60.)
the nec and the benq are identical drives---either one is your best bet.
i spose i have had decent-ish luck with nec, in that, it has only messed up now after just under two years.
however my plextor drive is still going strong (bearing in mind it hasnt had nearly as much use)
my list so far then is:-
plextor 755a
nec nd-4550
benq ????????
i havent looked into benq yet
could someone give me the equivalent model to those i have mentioned?
by the way i really do appreciate you guys help
plextor = overpriced
nec = good
benq = good
nec 4550 is the same physical drive but with different markings as the benq DQ-60, so either one is a good choice.
to my knowledge these two drives are NOT identical
benq dq-60 = sony 820 = plextor 750 = teac 516e
1. the plextor 755 is a genuine plextor drive (unlike the 750), but it is not faster/of higher quality/or in any other way superior to most other drives - it's average and very expensive
2. nec 4550 is a good drive, but if you consider it for the ram-writing you're better of with an LG drive, such as the GSA-4167B or the successor GSA-H10N (12x ram-writing)
3. if ram is of no big importance for you, take the benq dw1655. no ram, but very high writing quality at all speeds, even on cheap media. also a very matured drive (an improved version of the legendary 1640) and good firmware support.
in short:
ram drive - go for an LG
no ram - go for a BENQ (not the 1670 - probably not available anyway...)