Dual Layer DVD Drive recomendation?

[High_Jumbllama]

Required:
4X Dual Layer Speed
16X Single Layer Speeds

Wanted:
Full Nero even if it only installs for the particular drive.
USB 2.0/Firewire

Anyone have their favorites?

[Wombat]

I'm not a fan of any of the USB or Firewire drives yet. If you're going internal IDE, I'd grab the NEC-3520, It's like $62 and a top pick.

[Guru]

So you want a external drive right?

Have not had so much expiriense with them so I could not realy recomend one model over the other, the Lacie porche model looks good thou (dont know how fast it is)!

[Kooldino]

What happens if you get one of those 5 1/4" USB/Firewire cases and throw the NEC burner into it?

[xortam]

What happens if you get one of those 5 1/4" USB/Firewire cases and throw the NEC burner into it?

I don't know why more people don't go that route. I was planning on moving mine out of the HTPC and put it into a quiet USB 2.0(/FW) box to sit on the coffee table (HTPC sits there for now). The trick is finding a quiet yet cool box.

I've always gone with external SCSI boxes on my older systems.

[Wombat]

What happens if you get one of those 5 1/4" USB/Firewire cases and throw the NEC burner into it?

That depends. A lot of those USB/Firefire-to-IDE converter chips do not handle ATAPI correctly. That's why more people don't do it, it often doesn't work.

[ayoub_ibrahim]

I'm not a fan of any of the USB or Firewire drives yet. If you're going internal IDE, I'd grab the NEC-3520, It's like $62 and a top pick.

mind you NEC has just recently announced the newer 3540 model

[lecter]

You could also go for the LG GSA4160-B, which quite a few people seem to have and are satisfied with...they also have an external USB 2.0 version for just a bit more money.

[Jammrock]

Let me be the first to say...

Plextor, Plextor, Plextor, Plextor, Plextor, Plextor, Plextor, Plextor, Plextor...

http://www.plextor.com/english/products/716uf.htm

If you want to go generic enclosure + DVD+-RW of choice, here are some options (just avoid anything from Bytecc):

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-146-256&depa=0

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-145-749&depa=0

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-145-654&depa=0

[PAugustin]

The Nec ND-3520 is currently THE drive to get as it's one of the cheapest and one of the (if not the) best DVD burner in terms of quality.

The 3540 has been announced but won't bring many new "features", and it's very likely that the 3520 will be tweaked (hacked firmware) to carry the same speed imporvements.

[VJ]

I'm a Plextor fan, so I'd suggest this one:

http://www.plextor.com/english/products/716uf.htm

6x DVD+R DL, 6x DVD-R DL (firmware update coming this month)
(but no Nero)

edit: I just scrolled up, and noticed Jammrock has also posted this one...

(I should read before I post)


Jörg

[Admiral]

Pioneer DVR-109 or LG GSA4163-B

[VJ]

Or Lacie perhaps?

http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10548

(they offer lightscribe - for labeling - as well)


Jörg

[rylan]

I've heard the Plextor burner with the latest firmware is quite good.

[Dilitante1]

another vote for NEC 3500 series