DVD-ROM recommendations please!

[Rob G.]

Having practically ignored PC-based DVD up 'till now, I know very little about the hardware or software involved. I'm more into 'real' DVD and Home Theatre.

Basically, I want a good DVD-ROM for my PC. It wont be running a Home Theatre system. This is just for playing DVDs on the PC when I can't be arsed to fire up the proper HT system. I don't want to spend a load of money - I just want a good quality, reliable player which will also need to double as a CD-ROM drive.

I'm running a PIII600 system with 384mb of RAM. Graphics card is a Matrox G400MAX (32mb). Audio comes from a Hercules Fortissimo II (since the SBLive! died last week - ahh, it sucked anyway). I don't really want to upgrade any other hardware at present.

One thing - it must be able to play DVDs from different regions. I don't mind doing a flash upgrade, just as long as I can get it working.

If it can do Plextor-quality CD audio ripping, then that will be a nice plus too, but it's not crucial.

I'm looking at the Lite-On 16x48 - any other recommendations? Good or bad things to say? Worth spending a bit more for one of the bigger brands?

Give me your thoughts.

Cheers.
Rob

 

[Brian48]

I've always been very pleased with Toshiba DVDROM drives.

 

[Random Variable]

the slot-loading Pioneer 16x40x

 

[Jumpem]

Another vote for the Pioneer 106s.

 

[TheCollective]

You have my vote for the Pioneer. I have the SCSI version and it rocks.

 

[Rob G.]

OK, I can get the OEM 106s for about £62.

How do you disable the regional lock (if there is one)?

How's the CD DAE?

Anything else I should know?

ta!

 

[limsandy]

Rob, turn on your PM

 

[Rob G.]

Done!

 

[Ronin13]

To make your drive region free, go here

 

[InsaneMorphius]

Pioneer 106s

 

[Rob G.]

Just ordered the 106s!

I figure with this many recommendations in such a short space of time, there's little point in pussyfooting around.

Ta much!

Rob

 

[powerMarkymark]

I purchased the Pioneer 116 OEM with my new system about a month ago and it works great.

 

[Dulanic]

Im suprised noone brought up the Lite-On LTD-163... usually its recommended alot. I have one and love it. I wanted it mostly because its DAE speed is only second to the horrid Kenwood drives... its DAE is twice as fast as the Pioneer.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Pioneer is so widely used because along with SONY and Toshiba they basicaly set the standard for DVD Video, Digital Music, and multichannel sound for home use.

 

[MWink]

Another vote for the Pioneer 16X slot load. I have used it as well as the Lite-On and the Pioneer is much better IMO.

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

I like the Toshiba DVD-ROM on Newegg.com. Bought it a while ago and it had zero problems, plays DVD's perfectly. Extracts a little slower than others, but I don't do much DVD ripping so it's no biggie.