CDRLabs DVD Writer Poll - July

[Ian]

Vote for your favorate DVD writer. By doing so, you'll hopefully help those looking to buy a new drive. Once again, I tried to chose original drive designs that are currently available or will be soon.

Feel free to leave comments and an explanation as to why you voted the way you did. Also, if there's a drive you'd like to see added to the poll, let me know.

For reference, here's the top drives from June's poll:
1. BenQ DW1640
2. Pioneer DVR-111/A11
3. BenQ DW1650/1655

Tied for the #4 spot: Lite-On SHM-165H6S/165P6S, LG GSA-4167B, Plextor PX-716A and Plextor PX-755A/755SA

[Ian]

Just a few notes about this month's poll...

As promised, the Lite-On SHW-1635S, Plextor PX-716A, LG GSA-4166B and LG GSA-4167B have been retired. However, due to its strong showing, I decided to keep the DW1640 around for another month.

I also changed the word of the poll to say "Choose The Best DVD Writer". Even if the one you own isn't listed, please choose the one that you think is best.

[MediumRare]

I also changed the word of the poll to say "Choose The Best DVD Writer". Even if the one you own isn't listed, please choose the one that you think is best.

That change in wording means I won't vote.

I can vote for my favourite burner, or the best one I've used, or the one I'd buy- but voting for the best means I have to rely on reports and tests by others, which tend to vary greatly in quality. This isn't necessarily bad- it's an important input into purchasing decisions (especially the tests done here ).

But it doesn't reflect my experience, so I don't see the point in doing this.

G

[Ian]

I see your point. The reason I changed it was that a lot of people aren't buying new drives because they're happy with what they have. Unfortunately, a lot of these drives aren't the current model (Ex: DW1640) and are hard for new buyers to find.

[dolphinius_rex]

I see your point. The reason I changed it was that a lot of people aren't buying new drives because they're happy with what they have. Unfortunately, a lot of these drives aren't the current model (Ex: DW1640) and are hard for new buyers to find.

I'm also in a tough spot now.... my favourite drive by far is the DW1640, but the DW165x is probably superior in the long run (just not for me). Also, my DW1655 happens to coaster EVERY DVD+RDL or DVD-RDL I throw in it, even from Verbatim (it's a little defective that way), so I can't really vote for it either. Also, I'm not well enough versed in the newer drives to be able to offer a proper opinion on which is the best... so I don't really feel I can vote

[dodecahedron]

finally i get to vote...and...
.
.
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stupid me...i voted for the GSA-H10N instead of the H10L by mistake. and it was i who asked to add the H10L to the poll .
in any case i should'nt have asked it, it should be H10N/L, they're the same drive (like BenQ 1650/1655). Ian, is it possibe to change the poll structure once voting has started ?

[Ian]

in any case i should'nt have asked it, it should be H10N/L, they're the same drive (like BenQ 1650/1655). Ian, is it possibe to change the poll structure once voting has started ?

Yeah, I can. Should I lump the H10A in there too since its essentially the same hardware?

[dodecahedron]

yeah, why not, most likely everybody who reads this topic and votes is aware of this fact anyway...

[MediumRare]

Well, to help others in making a decision, I voted for the LiteOn SHM-165P6S as "the drive I would buy today". Same reason as last time: it's served me well and has a lot of playthings available.

It's not the drive I'd recommend to someone like, e.g. my brother-in-law, who has no interest in technology. I'm not sure what I'd pick there- maybe a BenQ based on the information here.

G