Crap! I can't pick a DVD burner!! Read reviews...now I'm confused.

[MichaelD]

Crap x 2.

I know we started this conversation in the "My LiteOn DVD burner is not right" thread, but that turned into a different thread, so here it is.

I have been reading reviews...for hours now. I know there is no perfect DVD burner, but they all have "this or that" strengths or weaknesses.

So far, I'm liking the NEC ND2500A due to it's performance vs. price ratio.

I was hellbent on the Pioneer 107-D, but it seems to have issues as well!

The top-line Plextor (708, I think) looks really good, but it's $$$$$$$$. :Q

I mean, there are a lot of factors that are important. But to ME, here they are. You will help me decide, please, since I can't seem to think for myself today.

In order...I think...

1. DVD burning quality. Speed is secondary. I want good burns with a variety of media.
2. DVD read quality. I will watch DVDs on my PC...want no probs either
3. Media compatibility. I don't buy cheap media. But I don't want a burner that will only burn well with "Brand XYZ"
4. Good DAE ability

That's all I can think of. The NEC was voted a "Best Buy" due to it's price vs. performance...it looks real good to me. The Pioneer is exactly $50 more...that's a lot of change.

I looked at the Optorite 0401 and that looks OK too.

Help me out, here. Please!!!!

 

[saltedeggman]

i vote for nec 2500a

 

[jcwagers]

I second that 2500a vote.

btw.....just try to find one that does what YOU want it to do. If it does what you want, and it's in your price range.....go for it! More than likely, ANY of those burners that you mentioned would do great. If it doesn't do what you want, you can always sell it to a friend or put in on FS/FT forum and try again. I don't think you'll have any problems with any of the burners that you mentioned. Most of the reviews and such go into WAY more detail than the average user would worry about. Just pick one, be confident in your decision, and enjoy your new toy!

jc

 

[AndyHui]

Pioneer 107. Those strange write issues should have been ironed out in the latest firmware, 1.10.

Not a problem for me, but the latest firmware still doesn't like Ritek discs.

 

[dartworth]

708A...burns 4X+R @ 8X and is nice and quiet.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks much, gents.

ANDY,
Why the Pioneer over the NEC? I've never owned either; I've been a LiteOn man for years...but we all know about LiteOn's DVD burners.

Curious as to why you recommend the Pioneer over the NEC. It's $50 more.

 

[MichaelD]

ttt

 

[joburnet]

Personally I'd get the cheapest one you can find, there has been a thread in hot deals for an 8x burner from office max that is good quality for under $100. check it out.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: jcwagers
I second that 2500a vote.

btw.....just try to find one that does what YOU want it to do. If it does what you want, and it's in your price range.....go for it! More than likely, ANY of those burners that you mentioned would do great. If it doesn't do what you want, you can always sell it to a friend or put in on FS/FT forum and try again. I don't think you'll have any problems with any of the burners that you mentioned. Most of the reviews and such go into WAY more detail than the average user would worry about. Just pick one, be confident in your decision, and enjoy your new toy!

jc

Excellent advice. As with any hardware you will have people that encounter problems; it's to be expected. If you want the "best", spend a few extra dollars and buy the Plextor 708. Otherwise flip a coin and go on your gut instinct.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks John. I know jcwagers gave good advice. He weighed in on my original thread. I just started reading every review I could find and got overwhelmed....after getting "burned" on the LiteOn (get it? Burned? DVD burner? I made a funny...) I didn't want it to happen again.

 

[Willoughbyva]

Get the one you like for the less money. There will hopefully be dual layer burners sometime this year and you might want to upgrade then. Some of the burners might just need an firmware upgrade, but i don't really know much about it. Just what I read from time to time at www.doom9.org .

 

[LikeLinus]

I've got an NEC myself. Can't go wrong with them. I've burned about 120 disc and never had a failed one!

 

[jcwagers]

Hey Mike.....let us know what you decide to get. The suspense is killing me!

jc

 

[MichaelD]

Will do, jcwagers.

Thanks for all the great advice, everyone. I'll make up my mind by the end of the day, today. Don't think I'm even going to worry about the dual-layer burners. Not out yet. New tech. Bound to be probs. Not to mention expensive.

 

[RaymondY]

I received the Plextor PX-708A burner for X-Mas and I'm really happy with it. I have had no issues with this burner at all. My brother also have the same Plextor and it is running great for him too. My recommendation would be to get the Plextor if you can afford it, as you get what you pay for.

The Plextor 708A is A+++

 

[Boonesmi]

ive had really good luck with the pioneer drives

in the last year ive probably installed about 10 of them (about 5 of the dvr-a05/105 and about 5 of the dvr-a06/106)
they all get very regular use and no problems at all

i use Ritek G04 4x dvd-r media (less then $50 shipped at newegg for a 50 pack) and ive probably only had 2 coasters out of 300+ burned discs (and the coasters where not caused by the drive failure, but by the system... once the power went out, and the other time the pc froze up)

 

[Boonesmi]

by the way i also had big time problems with my liteon dvd burners, i had to return 3 of the 5 liteon drives (but i love their cd-rw drives)

 

[nycdude]

Go get the 8x Plextor. Its like $170 less $50 rebate (retail only) from Newegg making it $120. :Q.

 

[WebDude]

Originally posted by: nycdude
Go get the 8x Plextor. Its like $170 less $50 rebate (retail only) from Newegg making it $120. :Q.

Unfortunately to get the $50 rebate you have to purchase a 2nd piece of Plextor hardware (for about $160).

5 easy steps to submit your rebate:
1) Purchase ConvertX (model/part #PX-M401U) with a PX-708A (model/part #PX-708A/SW or PX-708A/SW-BL) or PX-708UF (model/part #PX-708UF/SW) between 1/1/04 and 3/31/04.

 

[nycdude]

Originally posted by: WebDude

Originally posted by: nycdude
Go get the 8x Plextor. Its like $170 less $50 rebate (retail only) from Newegg making it $120. :Q.

Unfortunately to get the $50 rebate you have to purchase a 2nd piece of Plextor hardware (for about $160).

5 easy steps to submit your rebate:
1) Purchase ConvertX (model/part #PX-M401U) with a PX-708A (model/part #PX-708A/SW or PX-708A/SW-BL) or PX-708UF (model/part #PX-708UF/SW) between 1/1/04 and 3/31/04.

oops!!! My bad.

 

[kuk]

Does anyone have experience with the LG 4081?

 

[beatle]

The TDK indiDVD is a rebadged Plextor 708 for $160 AR @ Staples.

 

[CraigRT]

LG 4081.. good price.. give it a whirl!
I have a PX708A and it's great... but what do you expect? u pay so much