ND-3520A

[flamingspinach]

NEC seems to have updated their popular ND-3500A DVD burner - here is a revew of the new ND-3520A. Seems at first to be only a speed improvement, but apparently there is a new chipset at work... what do you think? Heh, I only noticed it because NewEgg removed the silver ND-3500A from their inventory (and my wishlist) in order to stock up on these new burners...

Review

-fs

 

[imported_Salvatore]

They better be very competitively priced with the ND-3500A, or NewEgg shoopers will not be pleased. Unless, of course, NewEgg puts the silver ND-3500A back in stock.

 

[flamingspinach]

They are. Only $7 more O_O

-fs

 

[imported_Salvatore]

Very well then.

 

[Baked]

Good thing I waited. From past history, I knew NEC would come out w/ a version 2. Gonna buy this new version when it drops below $60 at newegg.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Yup, I should've waited. I ordered the 3500 a few days ago, and now this. At least the 3500 has some decent firmware hacks.

 

[Rip the Jacker]

What's the point when 3500A is $62 @'egg

 

[imported_Salvatore]

The ND-3520A is up at NewEgg in black and beige. $69.99 for OEM and $72.99 for OEM w/ software. There's a topic about it already on General Hardware.

 

[JackBurton]

VERY nice! The faster the better, and for $7 extra, I'll go for it.

 

[flamingspinach]

Originally posted by: Salvatore
The ND-3520A is up at NewEgg in black and beige. $69.99 for OEM and $72.99 for OEM w/ software. There's a topic about it already on General Hardware.

What? I made sure to search for "ND-3520A" before posting this topic... :shocked:

-fs

 

[Baked]

Awesome news on this drive. Factory firmware auto bidsets DVD+R media to DVD-ROM when burned. Read post #349. Can't wait to get my hands on this new drive.

However, be warn that if your DVD player can't play DVD-ROM booktype, stay away from this drive until mod firmware becomes available for booktype selection.

 

[flamingspinach]

So is there really any reason to buy the ND-3500A instead of the new ND-3520A, except for the $7 less? I was originally going to buy the 3500, but I think I should get the 3520 instead, no?

-fs

 

[imported_Salvatore]

Well, the ND-3520A is better than the ND-3500 in all ways(If NEC's claims are true). The only thing that might possess somebody to buy the ND-3500A instead would be the $7 difference.

 

[MemberSince97]

I hear there's a upcoming Toshiba drive thats comprable.

 

[Rhin0]

Damnit, I got a 3500a. Well that is ok, I doubt there is much difference...

Actually i'm having trouble finding the difference? Which burn speed is faster?

 

[Baked]

3500A: 16X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW,
3520A: 16X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD-RW

 

[amol]

Wow, thanks for the info!

I was planning on the 3500A, but now it seems that I will get the 3520A

Should I pay the extra $3 for the software? Is it worth it?

 

[Baked]

Save your $3, the software won't be the full version of Nero 6. Buy the OEM version of Nero 6 else where.

 

[Rhin0]

Originally posted by: Baked


3500A: 16X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW,
3520A: 16X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD-RW

ARGH!! TWICE AS FAST, FAWK ME SKIPPY!!

Hmmmm. When would I use DVD RW... well maybe if I had a backup disc that changed all the time.
This kinda sucks. I don't know I guess it isn't that bad, my drive still kicks ass.

 

[dc5]

just bought a 3500a two weeks ago and now this...

 

[imported_Salvatore]

The ND-3520A works out to $10 more because of shipping costs.

$7 base price increase + $3 shipping(As compared to ND-3500A free shipping)

 

[flamingspinach]

Hmm that's true... sorry.

-fs

 

[Auric]

I use +RW for backups and more recently for MPEG-4 to DVD conversions so 8x would be nice but I have not seen any media yet. So, definitely worth getting now if you don't have a similar drive but I don't know about upgrading yet. At least on the HLG side, the DL capability also went from 2.4x to 4x but I'll prolly wait for 16x DVD-RAM.

 

[BOLt]

I am up for the ND-3520A... sounds great, but WHERE'S THE SILVER VERSION?!?

 

[flamingspinach]

Heh, my thoughts exactly. My silver ND-3500A was bumped off NewEgg to make room for the 3520s, but there's no silver version yet...

-fs