Looking to buy a new DVD-ROM reader. What's my best option?

[Kamilion]

Hi all, I've been fortunate enough to lurk around for a while and you guys usually know what you're talking about.

my old Afreey 40X CD-ROM drive just bit the bucket, and I'm looking to replace it with a new DVD-ROM drive.

I'd prefer it to be rather quiet, but I really want the best read capibility, as many formats as possible, and (I dunno if this is OK or not to ask in this forum, but I figured I'd give it a shot) I'd like to have the option of being able to back up my copy protected CDs. I currently have a Lite-on LTR-48125W, with the latest firmware. It's capible of reading a lot of stuff, but I'm looking to suppliment it with a DVD-ROM, that's preferably fast, quiet, and compatible with as many disc types and capacitys as possible. What's out there right now that's capible of disreguarding the latest safedisc stuff? I've got a few of my new games I couldn't read in my 40X, and I'd really rather keep them in good condition. I usually backup every disc I buy and keep the originals in the original box, and keep the CDR backups in my big CD case. So, what can I do to keep this habit going? I've have people steal my CD case in the past so I'm wary of keeping originals anywhere near it (they busted out my car window the last time they were stolen :/ ) I'm really afraid of losing my software, I made the mistake of keeping all my originals in a 200CD binder before, and I had to buy all new software to replace it... Got very expensive, especally because I had my photoshop discS in there. Fortunatly work paid for a new copy, but I don't want to have to rely on this in the future... I have a lot of discs and I don't want them damaged either (I have to keep the boxes with all the stuff in 'em on the top shelf so the kids can't get to them, they like putting them in odd places (Ever find a Windows 2000 disc in your VCR? I have...)) anyway, got off on a rant there, should shut my yap and let people respond. So, what is the best deal for my money I can get that can do everything I need it to?

Thanks!
-- Kamilion

PS: I would also like to be able to patch the region checking in the firmware... I have a bunch of anime DVDs I can't watch because they're not from region 1. (I'm not looking for the region patches specifically, Just want to know if they exist for the drives I'd be looking at.)

[Han]

I guess Toshiba SD-M1712 would suit you best.

[vbl117]

This doesn't exists . All DVD-ROM drives have defects . Asus , Lite-On and Toshiba DVD-ROM drives are the best performers for protection copying .
I have only tested the LTD-166S with Safedisk 2.30 ( latest is Safedisk 2.80 ) . For compatibility with formats Lite-On and Toshiba are the better ( all formats including DVD-RAM ) . Lite-On is the better drive for extraction audio . Lite-On drives are noisy ( you know it because you own already a Lite-On drive ) .

[glock20rocks]

...and you guys usually know what you're talking about.

*USUALLY* ??

[Kamilion]

Thanks, I'll take a look around for the liteon and toshiba drives.

Much appreciated, thanks to all