Help Choosing a new DVD Burner (Mine's on the edge of breaking!)

[Skippy35]

Fellow Traders Den users. I have managed to wear out my DVD burner recently and I was wondering whether any of you could lend a knowlegeable hand. I have seen a few burners that look good (and that are in my price range) but I don't really know what I am buying, specifications wise. Could you take a look at this site (my proposed burner) and tell me if it is any good. If not I am open to suggestions. :hmm:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRpb25z&product_uid=127442&spec_type=ZXh0ZW5kZWQ=

Thanks in advance! :wave:

[Tubular]

Lite On is an excellent brand! The only brand better from what I've read and heard is Plextor, but those drives cost quite a bit more.

[pawel]

I had two Lite On burners and they died very quickly, after over 1500 burns rapidly raised PIF/PIO errors. I recommend Benq as it burns perfectly, much better than Lite On. On my DW 1640 I made around 3000 discs and it doesn't show any sign of 'wear'.

[possessed]

If you have the $, Plextor all the way. I've had not problems with any of mine.

If you have limited $, go with a lite-on.

Either burners will be killer for you.

Always go with www.newegg.com for your computer needs. Great reviews and great shipping. I've ordered shitloads(i.e. much money) from them. Review all the parts you need there before you order.

[KoolKat]

Lite On is an excellent brand!

:hmm: The mind boggles

K_K

[Skippy35]

If you have the $, Plextor all the way.

I do have a limited budget at the moment, and I have just seen the prices of the plextors! Perhaps I will ask somebody rich to get me one for christmas :lol: . Also, I shop in pounds, as I am in the UK. So that newegg website is, sadly, no good. I looked at it before and saw how cheap it was (converting dollars to pounds), it's a shame shipment would probably cost me an arm and a leg.

So, overall, is Lite-on the second best option? I am thinking of ordering that one today so please say if it isn't that great.

Thanks for all your advice guys! I appreciate it :clap:

[saltman]

Lite on makes great drives. Plextor is the best as people have stated. You can get a bargain Plextor here for 69 bucks or so. It's worth it IMO. You'll buy two or three lesser drives in the time you will have a Plextor.

Go internal if you can.... that will save you some dollars.

[Homebrew101]

I just recently bought this same Lite-On burner for $35 at Newegg.com and love it so far but it's only been a month. My last Lite-On burner has worked perfectly for probably over 2000 cd & dvd burns and at $35 that works out to be a bargain if you ask me.

A note about this one, it doesn't do dvd-r if you read the reviews at cdfreaks, but it loves dvd+r and Verbatim DL discs.

[Skippy35]

A note about this one, it doesn't do dvd-r if you read the reviews at cdfreaks, but it loves dvd+r and Verbatim DL discs.

I assumed that it would do dvd-r discs as the site that I use says:
"Supported Media Types: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL"
Or is it that the drive just doesn't like dvd-r discs, because this factor would relly put me off buying it (as my dvd player preffers dvd-rs)

[KoolKat]

Go for NEC or the new Sonys.....not the OEM Sonys(Lite-On make them....break :lol )

9000+ with me trusty NEC and still kickin'
Burns everything inc. DL (both) & RAM

K_K

It's 80% in the media you use anyway Skippy,not just the burner.
You could have a 500 quid burner but its still going to give a shit burn with a Tescos own brand if you get what i'm saying.

[Skippy35]

So, KoolKat, do you reckon I should, instead go with a nec (like this one):
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRpb25z&product_uid=125208&spec_type=ZXh0ZW5kZWQ=

Also, what does OEM mean? Does it mean it just comes on it's own with no cables. I'm not in on all the lingo :lol

The Lite-on one gets good reviews anywhere you look (well, mostly). Have you had one that's broken quickly?

[YearZirO]

So, KoolKat, do you reckon I should, instead go with a nec (like this one):
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRpb25z&product_uid=125208&spec_type=ZXh0ZW5kZWQ=

Also, what does OEM mean? Does it mean it just comes on it's own with no cables. I'm not in on all the lingo :lol

The Lite-on one gets good reviews anywhere you look (well, mostly). Have you had one that's broken quickly?


oem means....Original equipment manufacturer

ive had a lite-on for a couple years and ive never had an issue with it and for the price you cant beat it i know theres better but for the casual burner there great

[Homebrew101]

I assumed that it would do dvd-r discs as the site that I use says:
"Supported Media Types: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL"
Or is it that the drive just doesn't like dvd-r discs, because this factor would relly put me off buying it (as my dvd player preffers dvd-rs)

I double checked the review and it looks like I should have said that DVD-R DL discs were trouble. Full review here --> http://www.cdfreaks.com/reviews/Lite-On-LH-20A1S-DVD-Burner-Mini-Review/DVD-R_RW-Writing-performance.html

[KoolKat]

OEM =HERE (http://www.helpwithpcs.com/jargon/oem.htm)

This one you linked is OEM but bloody cheap.(Havn't the prices come down folks since the old 4x speed max :lol )

Seems like it's ok but it looks like you'll have to upgrade your firmware as soon as you get it.

Maybe thats all the one you have at the moment just needs.

Skippy,you'll be ok with whatever you get m8.......just use good robust media to burn your stuff onto.
When you buy your discs,look for those that use TYG03 or any MCC dye.
Thats what makes a good ,reliable,lasting archive ;)

[Skippy35]

Thanks, all of you, for your help. I really appreciate it. I think I will go for the LiteOn drive because I have heard good things about the brand. Also, the other drive was too cheap to be true! I may struggle with OEM too, as I have little experience, i.e none, of fitting drives and a manual or guidance would help. I shall be burning away normally soon... :D

[Skippy35]

I have got my LiteOn drive now, and it works like charm with all of my media (although I haven't tried any dual layer yet). Thanks everybody for your help, I will know who to ask next time I need any technical help. ;)

[dcbullet]

I use Lite On as well. I finally upgraded my last drive so I could do DL. The prior one was still going strong. I don't know how many I've burned, but A LOT.