DVD Burner Suggestions...

ok, i've decided to break down & buy a DVD burner. i'm open to suggestions to what you use & reccomend to look for. a dvd/cd-rw combo would be nice, but i dont need the cd-rw, it would just be nice. i'm thinking i want a dual-layer compatible one so its supported for the short future & speed of at least 8x (doesnt really have to be faster i think, i dont even burn cd's faster than 16x). $100 ceiling.

a few i'm looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...131-236&depa=0

this is the same drive @ 2 different prices, i couldn't find the difference, can you? :ph34r:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...130-037&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...130-034&depa=0

only that the more expensive one DOESNT have software. isn't that backwards?


anyways. any comments/suggestions/criticism welcome.

Don't buy a burner based on price! A higher price doesn't mean it's better.

My recommendations:

1. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...136-046&depa=1
2. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-032&depa=1

Also don't buy based on supplied software. There is very good freeware for DVD copying.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Virtualbody1234

Don't buy a burner based on price! A higher price doesn't mean it's better.

My recommendations:

1. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...136-046&depa=1
2. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-032&depa=1

Also don't buy based on supplied software. There is very good freeware for DVD copying.

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oh i know. i'm not going by price, what gave you that impression? :huh: those 2 that i listed were the same model burner, i couldn't find a diff, other than the price & one has software. i thought it strange.

thanks for your two suggestions. the first looks very nice for me. i didn't see the second ones dual layer write speed... was it the 4X DVD+R9? :blink:

I bought this 1 a few weeks ago http://www.memorex.com/html/products...=115&opento=11

Its awesome, no problems what so ever, Burns a full dvd in about 6mins. also is rated #1 at http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,118521,00.asp

Quote:

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NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK, OEM

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I also see that in your first post something about a dvd/cd-rw combo. Don't make the mistake to get one of those. That isn't a DVD burner. Only plays DVDs.

All DVD burners burn CD-R as well.

VB, i edited my post. i didn't see that right away, i missed the Dual Layer part in the title. :lol: sorry i meant dvd burner / cd burner when i wrote dvd/cd-rw, i didnt know what the correct labeling format was. :P

thanks drbeerman ;)

Yes that's 4X speed for dual layer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Virtualbody1234

Don't buy a burner based on price! A higher price doesn't mean it's better.

My recommendations:

1. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...136-046&depa=1
2. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-032&depa=1

Also don't buy based on supplied software. There is very good freeware for DVD copying.

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I would also recommend #2, I have a nec2510a and love it, if I were to buy now I would not hesitate to get 16x model.

yeah, that NEC is looking better and better. #3 on that pcworld.com top 10 dvd drives list. its better than that Sony one and faster too.

this one looks pretty good too: #2 on that list^.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...106-960&depa=0

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lee551

yeah, that NEC is looking better and better. #3 on that pcworld.com top 10 dvd drives list. its better than that Sony one and faster too.

this one looks pretty good too: #2 on that list^.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...106-960&depa=0

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you mean #1, no.2 is the nec

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muchspl2

you mean #1, no.2 is the nec

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i was talking about the pcworld list: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,118521,00.asp
:ph34r:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-038&depa=1

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black w/ Software, Model ND-3520A, OEM

Model# ND-3520A BLACK

Specifications:
Write Speed: 16X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: High speed writing performance.

http://images10.newegg.com/productim...152-038-01.JPG

$72.99

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...152-039&DEPA=0
Same thing in beige, $69.99.

Newegg have now stopped selling the 3500 in favour of this.

Personal experience:

• problems with Sony DRU500
• perfect burning with NEC 3500

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lynx

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...152-039&DEPA=0
Same thing in beige, $69.99.

Newegg have now stopped selling the 3500 in favour of this.

Personal experience:

• problems with Sony DRU500
• perfect burning with NEC 3500

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ya, i'm pretty sure the NEC is the one for me. thanks for your personal info.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lee551

i was talking about the pcworld list: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,118521,00.asp
:ph34r:

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LOL if you do some research you will realize that out of the 4 top drives on that list 3 are made by liteon.Sony=rebadged liteon..Memorex=rebadged liteon..As a liteon owner I would say get the nec its getting great reviews.The liteon is nice but it can be finicky with the media it burns.It likes high quality dvd+ media and doesn't like dvd- media much....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lynx

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...152-039&DEPA=0
Same thing in beige, $69.99.

Newegg have now stopped selling the 3500 in favour of this.

Personal experience:

• problems with Sony DRU500
• perfect burning with NEC 3500

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Good thing I bought the nec 3500 on time at newegg.com. Haven't tried it yet because i had to get a cpu replaced :( . But let's just hope it works ;)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-032&depa=0

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Virtualbody1234

I also see that in your first post something about a dvd/cd-rw combo. Don't make the mistake to get one of those. That isn't a DVD burner. Only plays DVDs.

All DVD burners burn CD-R as well.

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Lee... go with the one above. I was asking about burners a couple months ago, and I was given info about he NECs vs. any others and I did see the Songy DRUs relatively inexpensive at the time... and I did buy it, and then returned it after I made a post.


I bought the one above on newegg for 70 bucks U.S. and prices are dropping.

Good luck on your new purchase... I thoroughly enjoy mine.

BTW thanks everyone for the great info. If it breaks you will here from me heheehehe ;) ;) :D :D

I bought a NEC 3520 today. :01:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Barky

I bought a NEC 3520 today. :01:

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mine will be arriving tomorrow. I chose the 3520A over the 3500A because the 3520 burns dual layer DVD + and - and the 3500 only + (this is for dual layer.)