CDRW's - LG's GCE-8160B or...

[Wandere]

I've been trying to hit some of the reviews for this drive and I've found some conflicting information. Overall it seems like a nice, tight, strong little ah heck.

I'm considering this one or a deal of the Pacific Digital 16x deal on Fri. (Staples I think...can't remember, too late). (~$49)

If anyone has one, i'd love to hear from ya. I'm interested in SD2 defeats (for backups, not piracy), burning disks readable in regular ROM drives for data/music (eg. buring at home and taking to work or vice versa). My CD imaging and digital photography needs are up there too.

Regarding the lite-on's. I understand they're pretty darned popular...if the Pac Digital is indeed a rebadged Liteon, would I be able to flash it with a Liteon firmware? From the reviews, LiteOns seem to be a little slow and have some trouble with SD2 and DAE.

Since no burner is perfect...whatcha think of the LG GCE-8160B? (~$75 +tax locally) Anyone use both this and the LiteOn? Teac and Plextor are just too expensive for me to justify now.

Thanks.

Edit: One thing I had forgotten to ask....how big of a deal is the PIO Mode 4 support only?

 

[Phoenix1997]

This one works fine for me. This hardware-based buffer underrun protection is really nice! And if I find any 99 minute CD-Rs, it'll be able to burn all the way to the end.

 

[Wandere]

Hey, thanks Phoenix. I saw the review on Tom's too, looks pretty decent.

Good point re: the hardware buffer underrun protection....I like that it's not software dependent.

Have your audio/data disks been readable in non-computer Roms? My wife will probably be doing most of the MP3 burning and transferring them to her car, etc. I'll be burning primarily dig vid files and backing up my more expensive apps/games (anything from Dreamweaver to my new game CD's). I have a nasty habit of scratching CD's and hate using the originals.

My Dell Laptop (work) has a built in 4x burner and it's pretty good at making coasters...looking forward to a new one for my desktop in a few days.

 

[DSTA]

I don't have that drive but I've seen it being recomended as a good budget CD-RW by people on brennmeister.com, which is advice I'd trust. I know that many many people are happy with their Hard^h^h^hLiteOns but I've had sooo much trouble with CD-ROMs of that brand that I'll never touch anything they make again.

 

[FlipSide]

Phoenix, check this out for 99min CDR. I got them and was able to burn 101 min 24 sec VCD with this burner.

As for SD2 protection, I haven't tried this. You might want to check elaborate bytes website.

 

[Wandere]

DSTA, my wife would like to have a word with you. I just spent the entire morning running German forum threads through a google translator instead of preparing our Thanksgiving turkey (painful translations too).



I appreciate that link, great information found in that forum.

Edit: Spelling was never a strong suit.

 

[Wandere]

Alrighty folks, picked one up while I was pricematching a GF3 ti200 for $99 at Best Buy on Friday. (that makes me happy)

$99
Amex Blue Pricematch to Pricewatch $~63
-$20 rebate
= ~ $40-43 final price.

Here's a link to a review at cdrlabs

Review of the LG GCE-8160B

The "issues" with Lite-On drives, robustness of the LG's unit and the fantastic price I will eventually get pushed me towards this unit.

Thanks again for the suggestions,

-Wandere