Replacement for a PX-716A

[smapdi]

Hey all,

My trusty PX-716A seems to be slowly giving up the ghost and, since I've been out of the optical drive game for a while, I was wondering which drive you would recommend as a replacement?

My needs are mostly making backups of photos and burning movies every once in a while. The interface must be IDE as I am now out of SATA ports.

Thanks.

[ruderacer]

Try a Pioneer DVR-710. I have one and works well. Don't know if they are still around. Or look here on the reviews for a newer model of the Pioneer. Good Luck. I still have my 716A working. Damn good drive!

[smapdi]

The latest Pioneer seem to have 2MB buffers which seems to be the norm for all the burners that I've seen. Is that enough buffer space? If not, which drive would have 8MB (like my PX-716A) or more?

[SithTracy]

The PX-716A was the last 8MB buffer... Also, the Pioneer DVR-212's I have do not have a 2MB buffer; it is just under (by 48k) @ 2000KB. I would imagine the 112 (IDE versions) are the same way.

If SATA is an option for you, it might be worth while for you to look at the Samsung SH-S203B.

[Ian]

At todays speeds, a larger buffer doesn't really give you much. Even with 8MB, its going to empty pretty quick if you're writing at 16x or higher.

[Gen-An]

Hey all,

My trusty PX-716A seems to be slowly giving up the ghost and, since I've been out of the optical drive game for a while, I was wondering which drive you would recommend as a replacement?

My needs are mostly making backups of photos and burning movies every once in a while. The interface must be IDE as I am now out of SATA ports.

Thanks.

You may be able to score another 716A or a 760A if you scout around. One option is www.saitekinc.com (expensive, but drives are available).