Plextor 712A or NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive

[BMW2000z]

I'm thinking of buying a dvd burner. I hear the plextors are really good and quite and reliable. I'm between the Plextor 712A ( http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-131-326&depa=1 ) and the NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive ( http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-034&depa=1 ). The NEC is a lot cheaper eventhough the specs say it's all around faster then the Plextor, except that it has a 2mb buffer vs 8mb on the plextor. I have a burner with 2mb right now and it seems fine. Does that really matter when burning dvd's? Are the NEC's also quality and does this one run quiet? Or shold i just get the plextor?

 

[Fencer128]

Hi,

Yes - Plextor has the brand leading reputation - I've had two of them myelf. However, that doesn't mean that the competition is markedly inferior in operation. THe real question you have to answer is what do you want this drive for:

Do you want to make reliable DVD backups of protected discs? Do you need a two-year warranty, etc. or do you want a cost effective drive that supports dual-layer burning, etc.

I suggest that you check out this site as I've found it quite informative.

Good luck,

Andy

 

[CeilingHoles]

If dual layer is important to you, then go for the NEC- but dual layer media is very expensive and write speeds are still considerably slow. The Plextor 712A has gotten great reviews with the only negative being the absence of dual layer burning.

The NEC hasn't been reviewed yet to my knowledge, so maybe you should give it a little time to see how it performs.