please recommend a dvd burner

[IlllI]

so i've decided to get a new dvd burner.. but i havent kept up with any of it for the past 2 years or so. i tried to do a little research on my own.. but the sheer amount of new models and numbers out there was just overwhelming...

i'm not too concerned with lightscribe, since i cant ever see myself using it.

also, i would like pata, not sata

a minor point would also to be black, to match the rest of my system



thanks

 

[de8212]

SAmsung makes good drives. I had one for almost a year with zero problems. Recently the door will not open after I burn a cd/dvd. I have to reboot to get it to open. I ended up getting a lite on drive to replace it.

I don't think you can make a bad choice as long as you stick with either of those.

 

[IlllI]

any specific model number? thats the problem i'm having. so many (seemingly similar) burners but with slight variation in model number... too many choices :/

 

[corkyg]

Last year, while visiting in California, I popped into Fry's and got a nice Samsung external DVD burner - model S164. It was priced in the mid 60s, and was a good buy. It has performed perfectly and I can use it on any of my computers, with Vista, and XP. But -it has one drawback - it does Lightscribe. All I can say is - try it - you'll like it. Much more professional results than with a Sharpie.

 

[0roo0roo]

whatevers on sale.. doesn't matter anymore

 

[de8212]

see this thread. that's the lit-on I got but it has lightscribe. To me, it's an added bonus that's just a few bucks more. You can create some pretty decent looking disc for friends/family.

The thread alos metnions a few of the samsung models that are very good.

 

[Blain]

Samsung SH-203B

 

[IlllI]

oh i dont mind if it has lightscribe. it wouldnt be a deal breaker if it had it. its just a feature i'd never use

unfortunately those two suggestions above are both SATA.. i'll look to see if theres a PATA version

 

[PurdueRy]

Since you want PATA...Samsung SH-202G

 

[aceO07]

What's happened to Nec or Plextor? I haven't seen it recommended lately.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: aceO07
What's happened to Nec or Plextor? I haven't seen it recommended lately.

Plextor is overpriced now that they aren't the only option for SATA. NEC was bought by Sony and really hasn't been the same since I guess...

 

[Edge1]

OK, I'll just throw mine out there. Works perfectly great. Second LiteOn, both are excellent. My other is the SHM165H6S. Litescribe included.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827106055

 

[bruceb]

I like Sony myself .. very reliable .. As to Lightscribe I would like to see it be able to do Color
and you do need special CD's / DVD's to burn the Lightscribe Label on .. However, once you
start using it to label your cd's you will never to go back to marking pens or paper labels.
The cd / dvd will look 99% as good as a factory made one. Well worth it and it works with
most labeling programs and the drive usually comes with it's own software for making a
Lightscribe label

 

[Vad3r]

Originally posted by: aceO07
What's happened to Nec or Plextor? I haven't seen it recommended lately.

I've also been looking up on the latest AT recommended writers as well. Never see them mentioned either anymore. As PurdueRy said, NEC bought out by Sony. But Plextor,

I know times change, I guess I'm trying to convince myself that plextor isn't top dog no more. My current (3 year old ?) PlexWriter 712A has worked flawlessly. No coasters, and what I believe to be quality burns. Anything I try out my dvd burns on, just work.

My old Plextor 40/12/40 CD-RW is still working fine in my Brothers old clunker of a pc. This was $220 back in the day.

Well, guess I'm gonna have to choose between Lite-On and Samsung. Haven't seen Plextor recommend in a long time now.

bye Plextor, gonna miss ya my old friend.

 

[IlllI]

i found some comments on another forum, which may be useful so i'll post here:


#1 : - The Samsung SH-S203B. This SATA offering is possibly the best drive on the market at present. It has speed, along with quality.

For : - Speed & quality of burns with CDRs, DVDs both SL & DL. Typically of MediaTek chip based drives, favours + media marginally. DVD-/+RWs is OK too. But not earth shattering.
Against : - Media support could be improved, bitsetting included in f/w as default. Scanning. N.B. With reg hacking this drive will scan, but lacks jitter reporting.(If sole drive then this scan along with TRT (TransferRateTest) should be adequate.


#2 : - LG GSA-H62N. This drive while quoting 18x max. Is only just a tad slower than the Samsung. So despite the 18x tag, this drive offers speed + quality (personally I feel the Samsung edges it here, on both counts).

For : - Speed & quality with DVDs, both SL & DL. This drive has a more definate preference for + media. Media support is quite good, but as with anything we always want more.
Against : - Quality of burns with DVDRWs & CDRs is below what you might expect from this quality of drive. Scanning in any form just not on. Again TRT can help, if only in a somewhat limited way.


#3 : - Pioneer DVR-212D. This drive while in some respects laggin behind the other two. Has one main thing going for it. Quality of burns not only with SL & RWs. But it's consistant performance with DL (ideal for backing up games). Put this in the frame.

For : - Versatility with much media (including budget) to burn to a good standard of quality. This applies to all formats whether DVD or CDR.
Against : - Somewhat a bit of a plodder when put alongside the above drives. Scanning also a bit unreliable too. Although the latest Pioneers will scan with limited & mixed results.

All of the above drives will not disappoint. Though one may suit your needs more than the others. SATA drives are definately the way ahead. In fact it probably won't be that far off before there isn't a choice.


Obmission!

The Plextor is left out. Simply becuase it is uncertain what support for these drives will be in the future. For they're still a drive to be reckoned with. If a tad expensive.

Lite-On. Only if scanning is of importance. Even this is forum related.
The Lite-On doesn't cope well with CDRs at all well. Struggles with DL (jitter, in fact slow it down enough & the latest gen drives struggle to do a simple Disc Quality scan with DL).
But is OK with SL as shown in many threads.

If possible get a Genuine BenQ for scanning (1620 < > 1650/1655).
If support (future) isn't that great a concern then Plextor makes #4.
If wishing to participate in forums scanning is of interest (failing being able to acquire a true BenQ) then the Lite-On makes #5.





i think i'll probably end up gettin the samsung, but someone else on that forum made a comment that it doesnt support "Jitter Scan"...which..i'm not exactly sure what that even is, or how important that might be. anyone happen to know?