DVD Writer Choice and Compatibility.

[agentK]

Hi guys! I'm in the market for a DVD writer. These are my only options:

LG Collins 16x GSA-4167B
Sony 16x DVD dual DRU-810A
Samsung 16x W162C
ASUS 16x multi dvd-writer
Lite-On SOHW-1653S 16x DL DVD±RW Drive
Lite-On SHW-1635S 16x/8x DL DVD±RW Drive

From your post, I can see the LG seems to be the best bet. (Correct me if i'm wrong). They all cost about the same. Reading further though got me thinking about the compatibility with my system... I have an old Athlon Axia on an Epox 8KHA+ with 512mb DDR. i saw something that says the interafce is P-ATA??? (Sorry if i sound Dumb but i haven't been updating on the latest technologies for a while.)
Anyway, hope you can help me out and update me as i always value the opinions here at Anadtech.

Regards,
Ken

 

[Brock123]

I like necs my self. I've had them in my last 3 machines np and I've put a few in my freinds machine. Just update firm ware and your good to go. modle 3540a is the one I'm using now. I do only burn at 8x though cuase I buy the cheap dvds. If you want cheap media I recomend the 100 pack of Smartbuy dvd-r right now 29 shipped at newegg I've used 300 with less than 5 coasters.

 

[agentK]

Thanks Brock, I would get the NEC (seems like the favorite in ATForums) but they aren't sold here. I'm stuck with either the LG or the Lite-On.

 

[n7]

If it has to be those, i'd go with the LG i think...

 

[ivwshane]

Benq 1640 has gotten pretty good reviews but that's not on your list.

 

[agentK]

Originally posted by: ivwshane
Benq 1640 has gotten pretty good reviews but that's not on your list.

Nope. But a friend is selling that to me second hand and he barely used it. Might consider it now that you mention it. Heard it was discontinued though. And some frauds as to shipping (recieveing a DQ60).

P.S. Determining the drive model: is it as simple as a lable on the drive that says DW1640?

 

[imported_Imp]

I would personally stay away from Lite-On burners. I bought the SHW-1635S around Christmas for a new rig. One month later, it started BSODing the system when I put a CD in. It also started to stall the booting process when it kept clicking (disk was fine). It could no longer play a couple of my DVDs too. Then after all this BS, to add insult to injury, it SCRATCHED MY NEW DVD. So I RMA'd it, fast one though, only took about 10 days after shipping out. Instead of a SHW-1635, got aSHW-160P6S (updated 1635 I think), but I haven't reinstalled it yet since they gave me a one with a white bezel when I sent in and requested a black (requesting again). Checks reviews for the 160, a LOT of incompatibility problems reported.

I have 2 LGs at work, one internal the other external, and have burned A LOT of stuff on both of them. Absolutely love them. Would have got LG, but wanted the software that came with the Lite-On (couldn't find any retail LGs). I am currently using my old Hitachi 5.5 years and running, not a single problem. So LG and Hitachi are your best bets.

 

[Bobthelost]

First the sony is a rebadged lite on.
Asus are rebranded pioneers.

I did a bit of checking @ cdfreaks.com and the Lite-On SHW-1635S 16x/8x DL DVD±RW Drive seems to be getting the most amount of love out of that list.

 

[corkyg]

Why did you omit the best burner out there - the Plextor external dueal layer?

 

[sandeep108]

The LG out of that list.

 

[PSUPef2k]

i'm between an NEC and Benq

 

[imported_rod]

Originally posted by: agentK
Hi guys! I'm in the market for a DVD writer. These are my only options:

LG Collins 16x GSA-4167B
Sony 16x DVD dual DRU-810A
Samsung 16x W162C
ASUS 16x multi dvd-writer
Lite-On SOHW-1653S 16x DL DVD±RW Drive
Lite-On SHW-1635S 16x/8x DL DVD±RW Drive

What about the Pioneer DVR-110/DVR-111?

RoD

 

[jdkick]

I like my Pioneer DVR-110. Seemed to be a decent compromise - maybe not the fastest or best drive for making backups, but it burns with higher quality then most. Stay away from Sony's if you can. I've got a wack of them here and have not been impressed. I find they use noticably higher system resources when burning and are a little finicky with various media and damaged media.

 

[NaOH]

NEC from newegg. 38 Bucks, a lot of firmware support (official or hacked). Best bang for buck in my opinion.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152059

If only those, I'd prob get a Lite-On and I would Def stay away from Sony.

 

[agentK]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Why did you omit the best burner out there - the Plextor external dueal layer?

Originally posted by: RoD
What about the Pioneer DVR-110/DVR-111?

They're not sold here in Asia guys. Like a lot of other good stuff.

 

[agentK]

Hmmnn... will check out cdfreaks right now.

Anyone have any opinion on compatibility issues with an old rig? MSI K7 MoBo on an Athlon Axia 1.7?

 

[fire400]

if you have the money, try a SATA drive, they are hella fast~

otherwise, I recommend NEC.

 

[Techno Pride]

Sony 16x DVD dual DRU-810A is actually a BenQ 1640. The Sony version usually costs slightly more.

If you need DVD-RAM, get the LG. Else it's the BenQ.

 

[dhkkim]

I VOTE FOR LG.

LG makes the best RWs.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: Brock123
I like necs my self. I've had them in my last 3 machines np and I've put a few in my freinds machine. Just update firm ware and your good to go. modle 3540a is the one I'm using now. I do only burn at 8x though cuase I buy the cheap dvds. If you want cheap media I recomend the 100 pack of Smartbuy dvd-r right now 29 shipped at newegg I've used 300 with less than 5 coasters.

:thumbsup:

I agree! I have been using NEC's in all my builds and my customers simply love them.


Ausm

 

[joe360]

Originally posted by: RoD
What about the Pioneer DVR-110/DVR-111?

I saw from http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2533, that the pioneer had some problems with the firmware 1.08 . Does anyone know if the updated firmware has fixed the problems listed in the link?