some questions/deliberations on purchasing a DVD-ROM drive

[dodecahedron]

product page:
http://www.jlms.com.tw/new_p_E/jlms_165X.htm

it doesn't say, but does the JLMS XJ-HD166S read DVD-RAM ?
it says: "Conform to DVD-Multi Standard, Access all CD Family & DVD Family Media"
i had thought the DVD-Multi lincludes DVD-RAM too! but it's not mentioned.

also just to make sure, it reads DVD+R too, right? even though it doesn't say so in the product specs page.


an aside question:
on some websites (newegg for example) they say 166S/165H. if you order that item, how can you tell which one you'll get? any control over it?
if you get the 165H can you return in for a 166S?
(i seem to recall that the 166S is slightly better in a few minor aspects, but can't recall what and can't find those posts now).


OK just found digi's page
http://digi.rpc1.org/165_166.htm
does read -RAM, and lists differences between 165H and 166S.

basically i'm deliberating between the JLMS 166S and the Toshiba SDM 1712S.

the main use of the drive will be DVD (protected) ripping.
later on (when i get a burner) maybe also testing with KProbe...

also:
sorry if this is a silly question:
when shopping for a DVD-ROM online, does "OEM" mean it doesn't come with DVD palying software such as PowerDVD or WinDVD?

also, in one site i saw:
CyberLink PowerDVD XP 4.0 CD Full Version CD (OEM) $3

what does this mean? full version? OEM?

i'm confused <scratches head>


believe me, i've read dozens of posts about DVDROM drives in this forum over the last year...serious data overflow...i guess i have most of the data i need, and i'm leaning towards the Lite-On.
but any opinions or comments on any of the above issues is welcome!

[dodecahedron]

believe me, i've read dozens of posts about DVDROM drives in this forum over the last year...serious data overflow...

LOL
at one time of my life i had a nickname "ADP"
this was during my military service, as a radar operator in Hawk anti-aircraft missile batteries.
ADP was the name of the computer of the missile system...they called me that becaue i was smart and had a good memory.
LOL you wouldn't believe the size of that computer, and it had only 16K of RAM!
nowadays you can't run a program that does 2+2 on that amount of memory

[Raz0rX]

I had been using the 166s for about 6 months, I updated it with the latest firmware. It can read -+R/RW but not as fast as the Toshiba which I own now.

If you purchase the retail version of the Liteon DVDROM drive, it does come with the PowerDVD software. However, sometimes when stores sell OEM DVD-ROM drives, the suppliers do give the retail stores the DVD player software BUT retail stores usually sell them separately.

Just to be safe, you can just eMail the online store whether the OEM drive you are buying will come with a software or not.

[Inertia]

...when shopping for a DVD-ROM online, does "OEM" mean it doesn't come with DVD palying software such as PowerDVD or WinDVD?

There is no inviolable rule for what "OEM" means, except lack of a retail box and sometimes other retail contents. OEM DVD-ROM drives usually come with DVD playing software. Even the DVD-ROM drive at Newegg that states "OEM Barebone No Cables or sofware included " shows a PowerDVD disc in the "see it" pictures. If there is any doubt, just ask first.

also, in one site i saw:
CyberLink PowerDVD XP 4.0 CD Full Version CD (OEM) $3

what does this mean? full version? OEM?

Who knows? If I had to guess I would speculate that it was a full version of the software that was intended to be bundled with an OEM drive. Again, if there is any doubt the safest way is to ask first so that you know what you are getting.

The Liteon DVD-ROM drives work well and are a good value.

[Dartman]

I'm pretty sure it does read DVD-ram. I believe besides being smaller that was the other improvement to the 166. Check the LiteOn site or
http://www.DVDRhelp.com and see what it says for sure.

[hoxlund]

both the toshiba 1712, and jlms 166s read dvd-rw/+rw, not sure on dvd-ram though, to me i think the ram format is a dead format

the jlms 166s is not speed locked, outta the box it rips at full 16x single layer, the toshiba does same thing but the speed-hacked firmware is required, otherwise it only rips at 6x