Recommended DVD writers

[Howard Kaikow]

I'd like to get an external DVD writer that I could use with my notebook, and future desktops.

Is there a list of recommebded external DVD recorders?
Hopefully, it could also record cD-RW and CD-R?

[Ian]

Do you want a full size or slim portable? If you want a full size, you could get pretty much anything and put it in an external case.

[Howard Kaikow]

Do you want a full size or slim portable? If you want a full size, you could get pretty much anything and put it in an external case.

I want a reliable brand.

I'd have to figure out whether I want to get a case, as that adds another level of reliability to consider.

[Howard Kaikow]

I just noticed http://www.cdrlabs.com/Hardware.html.

How does one search those lists for, e.g.:

1. External vs. internal
2. Particular interfaces, in my case, USB and 1394.

Clicking on each of the 210 drives is a bit tedious.

[Ian]

Use the advanced search and select the interface you want:

http://www.cdrlabs.com/db/advanced-search/

[Howard Kaikow]

Use the advanced search and select the interface you want:

http://www.cdrlabs.com/db/advanced-search/

I need to specify 1, or more, particular brands.
And it is a bit much to ask to specify each of the speeds.

[SithTracy]

I'd go with a typical internal and throw it in an enclosure (but that's me).

I think it depends on your use. I like my Optiarc AD-7240S for DVD work, but not for burning CD-R's. I still have a Plextor PX-755SA and a Samsung SH-S203B for CD-R needs. You won't find either of those today unless on eBay. My use of optical drives is going down. Could be that in a few years, the spinning discs will likely have a similar fate of the floppy disk drive.

[Ian]

I need to specify 1, or more, particular brands.
And it is a bit much to ask to specify each of the speeds.

No, you don't need to specify a brand or speed. Just enter the interface type (USB, etc).

[Howard Kaikow]

I'd go with a typical internal and throw it in an enclosure (but that's me).

I think it depends on your use. I like my Optiarc AD-7240S for DVD work, but not for burning CD-R's. I still have a Plextor PX-755SA and a Samsung SH-S203B for CD-R needs. You won't find either of those today unless on eBay. My use of optical drives is going down. Could be that in a few years, the spinning discs will likely have a similar fate of the floppy disk drive.

I want the drive so I can make backup copies of software on DVDs or CDs.

I see no point in buying a 2nd internal optical drive for future computers.
A single external could be used on all the computers, in addition to the internal on each computer.

[Howard Kaikow]

I am having difficulty choosing the interface.

Notebook has both USB and 1394, but what about getting an esata adapter and an esata drive?
Having 3 choices is confusing as my coin has only 2 sides.

[Ian]

I really wouldn't bother with eSATA for a DVD writer. FireWire and, to a lesser degree, USB are more than enough.

[mario76]

between those two dvd-rw external slim?:
1) samsung SE-S084
2) ASUS SDRW 08D1S

[Howard Kaikow]

I ended up buying a Pionerr DVR-X162Q.

WhY?

Because it was one of the more popular drives listed at CDRLabs.
I was able to find places that sold the drive.
I saw other favorable mention of the drive.
I was able to speak to someone at Pioneer who knew what he was talking about.

I had a lot of trouble finding drives.

1. The list at CDRLabs includes models thgat are no longer manufactured.
What good does it do to list such models for most folkes who want to buy only NEW and supported models.

2. The list nat CDRLabs needs to state in which countries models are sold. I wasted a lot of time looking foe a particular Samsung model, only to eventually learn that t model is not available in the USA.

3. The LG web site outright does not function with Firefox. The Samsung site does not work properly with Firefox. The Pioneer isite is awful.

4. Samsung's phone folkes are useless. The 1st time I called, I choose the wrong option and was passed along to 6 or 7 people without finding the right group.

Then I redialed and got the drive group. I asked about 22x models. All she knew about was the models listed on the web in the OFFICE tab.

I then called and spoke to the Business Products group, that's where the 22x drives live. He told me about 1 model not being available in the USA, but offerred no help when I asked what models were available.

Finally, I went to the Support page, and found 2-4 exrternal 22x, or thereabouts, speed.

However, I did not find anybody selling those.
I likely coould have Googled to find th emodel, but, by this time, I was fed up with Samsung.

Pioneer, at least listed suppliers, but I was not about to buy from an outfit quoting $64, even tho their Better Business Bureau rating is A-, because of the preponderance of negative ratings at resellerratings.com.

Taking into account shipping costs. least expensive was a Amazon and Buy.com, $100.80.

[Ian]

1. The list at CDRLabs includes models thgat are no longer manufactured.
What good does it do to list such models for most folkes who want to buy only NEW and supported models.

The list is there primarily for technical reference and so that people can leave reviews/feedback about the drives. Even if the drive is a year or two old, I'd still like people to be able to say that its good/bad.

2. The list nat CDRLabs needs to state in which countries models are sold. I wasted a lot of time looking foe a particular Samsung model, only to eventually learn that t model is not available in the USA.

That's a good idea. I'll have to see how hard it would be to implement. What Samsung drive was it?

[Howard Kaikow]

That's a good idea. I'll have to see how hard it would be to implement. What Samsung drive was it?

Samsung SE-S224Q

The Samsung SE-S204 is no longer manufactured, but is listed as supported.

[Ian]

I found a few places in the US with the Samsung SE-S224Q in stock but I think you made the better choice with the Pioneer.

[Howard Kaikow]

I found a few places in the US with the Samsung SE-S224Q in stock but I think you made the better choice with the Pioneer.

Samsung told me that the 224 is not for sale in the USA.
So, buying one, in the USA, may make it impossible to get support/warranty replacement.

I still think that the CDRLabs lists should list only currently manufactered models, plus, if so noted, some models made in the past 1-3 years that might still be in stock at various places.

As far as I know, Win 7 eliminates th eneed for 3rd party mastering or UDF software.

But, what about Vista, do I need to install the software that comes with the drive?

CinemaNow™ Media Manager
Roxio® Venue™
Roxio Easy CD and DVD Burning™
Roxio Cineplayer®

[Ian]

CinemaNow Media Manager, Venue and CinePlayer are only really needed if you plan to download movies from CinemaNow.

Roxio Easy CD and DVD Burning is better than the disc mastering stuff built into Vista so its probably worth installing.

[Howard Kaikow]

Received Pioneer DVR-X162Q. about 2 weeks ago.

Finally, unpacked the critter today.
Drive would not spin up.
Sending back to Amazon tomorrow.

Should I get a Samsung instead of a Pioneer?

[Ian]

You run the risk of getting a lemon from any company. If it was me, I'd stick with the Pioneer. IMO, its a better drive.

[Howard Kaikow]

You run the risk of getting a lemon from any company. If it was me, I'd stick with the Pioneer. IMO, its a better drive.

If Amazon does indeed send me a refund, rather than a replacement, I was thinking of gettiing the 152, instead of the 162, it may be less expensive, no need for Qflix. As I understand it, the 152 and 162 are really the same drive, but 162 has Qflix.

Suggestions?

[Howard Kaikow]

You run the risk of getting a lemon from any company. If it was me, I'd stick with the Pioneer. IMO, its a better drive.

If Amazon does indeed send me a refund, rather than a replacement, I was thinking of gettiing the 152, instead of the 162, it may be less expensive, no need for Qflix. As I understand it, the 152 and 162 are really the same drive, but 162 has Qflix.

Suggestions?

amazon has notified me that I am getting the refund,
Probably will be delayed due to Thanksgiving holiday in USA.

[Howard Kaikow]

How does SAmsung SE-S224Q compare with the Pioneer DVR-X152 or Pioneer X-162Q?

[Ian]

I'm not sure. Samsung's 22x DVD writers were really hit and miss for me.

You may want to check and see who makes the DVR-X152. For some reason, I remember it being based on an ASUS design.

[Ian]

I did some checking and its based on the DVR-113NP, which is an ASUS design.