What is currently the best DVD burner out there?

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bluedeviltron

Senior member
May 22, 2005
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I have every part for my new computer except for a DVD burner (because the Pioneer one I had in my shopping cart mysteriously dissappeared right after I hit "submit"). I've heard about the NEC 3250s, but are there any better models in the same price range? I don't want to spend over $50 for one.

Also, do you think Double Layer is worth it? Do any DVD players right now even play DL discs?
 
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hurtstotalktoyou

Platinum Member
Mar 24, 2005
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Originally posted by: bluedeviltron
I have every part for my new computer except for a DVD burner (because the Pioneer one I had in my shopping cart mysteriously dissappeared right after I hit "submit"). I've heard about the NEC 3250s, but are there any better models in the same price range? I don't want to spend over $50 for one.

Also, do you think Double Layer is worth it? Do any DVD players right now even play DL discs?
Click to expand...

A lot of people forget the importance of getting a model that can burn DVD+RWs at 8x. With fast re-writing, you can have a few discs to use as virtual floppies. As for double layer, the vast majority of drives on the market today can burn them. If possible, get both DVD-R DL and DVD+R DL support.

Look at pricewatch.com and shop around. You'll find something nice, I'm sure.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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. Pioneer and NEC are based on the same chips, but there are differences in firmware. Not sure if there are any differences in the optics. But those are probably the two best cheap drives (and their derivatives - e.g. the Asus is Pioneer, etc. - though the Philips-based Benq has quite a few adherents. DL is overrated at this time - most that have DL drives don't do much if any DL burning because decent media is so danged expensive...
IMO, the Plextor PX-716A is excellent, but it only comes in a full retail kit. If you can find the Pioneer in an equivalent retail kit, the prices will be nearly the same.
. The Plextor PX-712SA is a good buy right now because of a $20. rebate program. The PX-712A is one of the best optical drives ever made (one of the few to get 10s in reviews on respected sites) but it is single layer. And the SATA version, which this is (the PATA version being very hard to find now), has limited compatibility with integrated SATA controllers (mostly compatible with Intel or SiliconImage based controllers). Luckily SiliconImage add-on SATA controllers are cheap and readily available.

.bh.
 
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Mik3y

Banned
Mar 2, 2004
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the NEC ND3520a is really good, its loud as hell when its really starts to spin.
 
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SrGuapo

Golden Member
Nov 27, 2004
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Originally posted by: m21s
Hands down!
Click to expand...

Yes, only 2.8 times his price limit. I went for the NEC and I haven't regretted it. I don't do any major burning, so I can't say much about camparing,but it gets my work done. I tis arguably the best DVD burner (except maybe the overpriced plextors) and is also one of the cheaper ones...
 
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Promethply

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2005
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Actually, several brands can be recommended on its performance and price factors:

-Pioneer 109 Dual Layer (OEM)

-LiteOn LDW 1673S (retail)

-Sony DWD26 16X Dual Layer (made by LiteOn)

-LG 4163B Dual Layer 16X
 
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Amaroque

Platinum Member
Jan 2, 2005
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Originally posted by: SrGuapo
Originally posted by: m21s
Hands down!
Click to expand...

Yes, only 2.8 times his price limit. I went for the NEC and I haven't regretted it. I don't do any major burning, so I can't say much about camparing,but it gets my work done. I tis arguably the best DVD burner (except maybe the overpriced plextors) and is also one of the cheaper ones...
Click to expand...

The Plextor's are also extremely quiet. ;) But if price is a concern, NEC would be my next choice.

If you like quality, don't ever buy Lite On.
 
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SrGuapo

Golden Member
Nov 27, 2004
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I have heard bad things about lite-ons DVD drives. their CD drives have always had good reviews though. Basically all those drives listed (BenQ, NEC, LG, Pioneer) are going to have similar specs. I would just find a good deal on one and go for it...
 
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DerelictDev

Senior member
Feb 19, 2005
358
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Pioneer 109 Flashed with the the "better retail model" A09 v1.5 w/ Quietdrive.
At 16X DVD-/+R
8X DVD+RW
and 6X Dual layer, DVD-RW, etc
12X ripping speed
DVD-RAM support
is very hard to beat for the $50 price tag.

Product link
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827129161

Flashing link
http://pioneer109.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=146

I have this drive and did the flash, extremely easy to do. Took only about 2 minutes and works perfectly. The drive is quiet as hell using the Quietdrive software and it burns even cheap 16X dvd-r's (Dynex) at blazing speeds so far without even 1 coaster or error.
 
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imported_rod

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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Pioneer DVR-109 is the best out there atm.


Also, do you think Double Layer is worth it? Do any DVD players right now even play DL discs?[/quote]Basically all DVD's play DL discs. Most movies are on Dual-Layer Discs, as a single layer just doesnt offer enough space. I just checked a couple of DVDs to be sure (StarWars-EpII, Matrix, Fight Club) and they are all dual layer.

RoD
 
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lederhosen

Member
Apr 23, 2005
172
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Plextor is good it's just more expensive than the NEC. He said he wants something less than $50 so I would go with NEC.
 
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Avatar28

Member
Jun 28, 2001
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Great thread, just what I was looking for as I think my current burner has gone and taken a big dump on me. :-(

Anyways, I've heard good things about the Pioneer drives, but I've got a couple of concerns with it. Specifically http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Specific.aspx?ArticleId=12802]this review[/url] seems to indicate that it has a lot of trouble with CSS protected discs and copy protected CDs in general (although at least the riplock thing can be taken care of with a patched firmware). Not what I want to hear. :-( The BenQ doesn't look much better. The LiteOns do a better job with that but still wouldn't handle Safedisc over 2.8.

I'd love to go with the Plextor 716a, they're just kinda pricey. :-( About $110-115 was the cheapest I could find on Pricewatch vs around $60 or so for some of the others.

None of them seem to do particularly well on the copy protected discs though. I'm starting to wonder if maybe I wouldn't be better off to buy a good DVDROM and then one of the cheaper drives, NEC/Pioneer/Benq/LiteOn.
 
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