New to DVD RW drives

[Uninvited Guest]

I'm not sure what I'm looking for when browsing DVD RW drives. DVD +R and DVD -R mean nothing to me. So far this one seems to take the cake, good choice?
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=010788&cid=CR.184

Price in CAD

 

[moonsite]

My preference would be the BenQ 1650 or 1655 (for lightscribe), 1670, and 1640, follow by the NEC 3540, 3550. Pioneer is good too. I would never get a Samsung drive. Go to videohelp.com to check out some of the reviews and comments. In term of media compatibility and rip and burn quality, the BenQs are probably the best.

 

[lamere]

There lots of good ones out there but Plextor writers are the best, hands down.
Look up any reviews on these writer and you'll see 9/10 - 10/10 across the board.

 

[Auric]

Plextor schmextor. They appeal to a certain demographic who figure a higher price must mean they are best and so justify the purchase with a glowing review. They are the Monster Cable brand of optical storage. LOL

 

[dbravo223]

I would go with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827129001

 

[imported_Imp]

I'd go with LG. Used them extensively at work to burn loads of discs, and had very few coasters. Meanwhile, my Lite-On(SHW-160P6S) at home won't read some of my DVDs; mind you, this replaced a Lite-On(SHW-1635) that wouldn't read stuff AND scratched up some of my discs. Oh, and now I confirm that the RMA they sent me can't be firmware updated since it's an OEM (I bought a retail).

 

[smthmlk]

CDFreaks is a more appropriate site to ask/do research through. There are very, very specific models from all the manufacturers that are worth buying. The Benq 1650, NEC 3520/3540, and the Pioneer 110/111, for example. Read cdfreaks reviews on various drives, then pick out a couple of the best drives (those I mentioned are definitely on that 'best drive' list). With that list of specific models in hand, dive into their forums for each specific manufacturer and see what sort of problems people are having with those specific models. Check out the scans on the different types of media -- see if the media you use or plan to use works best with a certain model and get that model. If you want great burns, then get ready to spend an evening doing research

 

[Basie]

I would ditto Imp and recommend LG. I had two Lite Ons that crapped out on me in less than six months each. Since then I have
been using two LG burners and they are very reliable. I wasnt impress with my Plextor very much though it outlasted the Lite Ons.