Which DVD burner should I buy to replace my 1O3?

[burna3000]

Unfortunately, I've got a useless drive, after what i've been told 'burning it out'- using 4x disks to burn without updating the firmware, neither of which i new that you had to do.
Anyway, i know now, and i need to be getting a new drive, which is where i hope you guys can help me. As i said, its the pioneer DVR 103, which, whilst it worked, was a good drive. I realise that there have been many more drives since, so what do you recommend?
As its coming from my own pocket, as i cant get it fixed, i need to keep the price as low as poss. Also, which online sellers do you reccomend please?

[SLICK RICK]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=5&manufactory=132...tby=14&order=1

[andydd]

104 ?...105 ?...106 ?

[garryheather]

You will have trouble finding an 04 as they are obsolete now - but shop around, if you are happy with DVD-R and can find one, it will probably be at a bargain price.

Similarly, the 05's have come down in price since the 06 came on the scene. Again, it's -R only, but if this is not an issue for you, it's still a commendable drive.

If you want dual format then it has to be an 06 or similar drive from another manufacturer.

[SLICK RICK]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=5&manufactory=116...tby=14&order=1

[burna3000]

Cheers for ya quick replies- as you've probly seen, i'm in the UK, so i'd prefere to buy it from a UK site- save on shipping.
I'm not just confining it to pioneer, if other manufacturers have better drives, say.
Just been doinga bit of searching, and the pioneers seem well priced when compared with other ones though.
A couple of questions for ya:

(1) some drives are labled as OEM, others 'retail'---whats the difference

(2) apart from the obvious, what are your views on dual format drives, like the A05/6. are -r disks cheeper though?

(3) and will i be able to use these damn 4x disks, that caused the mess i'm in, on drives like those?

[Hardcoreruss]

The sony one I have is good (can't remember the model number, check my comp specs). Just got it, multi format only 229.95 from Micro Anvika, I have not seen a cheaper price.

[SLICK RICK]

Sorry, I did not even pay attention to see that you are in the UK. Well, OEM is just the drive no cables or software. Retail will include the drive, cable, software, and maybe a blank DVDR or 2 or a DVDRW.

SLICK RICK

[burna3000]

OK, that kinda makes sense, as the OEMs are cheeper, is it worth gettin the retails?

Any views on -r/-rw V +-r/rw?

[SLICK RICK]

Its really up to you, you should already have cables and software, and probably still have some extra DVDR's, so you really wont need any of that. So if that true then the OEM sounds perfect.

SLICK RICK

[SLICK RICK]

Most of the time, the software that comes with the retail version is not that good anyway.

SLICK RICK

[burna3000]

OK, so basicly, coz i'm replacing a dvd drive, and not starting from scratch, all i need is the drive itself, as i connect it just as the old one was?.
i'm kinda unsure about the connections- the initial drive came with ma pc so i didn't have to install it
but wont i be needing drivers/ect for the burner, or will these come with the oem version as well?

[SLICK RICK]

i'm kinda unsure about the connections- the initial drive came with ma pc so i didn't have to install it

The connections that you have on your existing drive will do just fine.

but wont i be needing drivers/ect for the burner, or will these come with the oem version as well?

I dont think it will come with any CD with drivers (I may be wrong) but if you need any it will definetly be on the web site of whoever manufactures the drive.

OK, so basicly, coz i'm replacing a dvd drive, and not starting from scratch, all i need is the drive itself, as i connect it just as the old one was?.

That's correct.

SLICK RICK

[VinnySem]

OK, that kinda makes sense, as the OEMs are cheeper, is it worth gettin the retails?

Any views on -r/-rw V +-r/rw?

Also check the warranty for OEM vs Retail. Oftimes OEMS only have a 30 day warranty, wheras retail has around 1 year or sometimes more. I got bit in the white meat by buying my A04 OEM, the shop I bought from only offered 30 days. I just bought an A06, I should get it later this week, Newegg gives a 1 year warranty on the OEM drive, and I purchased an additional 1 year for $12.

[garryheather]

Some authoring applications (like Nero, for example) which often come bundled with drives can be locked to a specific device manufacturer for licensing reasons. If you're swapping like for like, it probably won't be an issue, but if you got your burning program with a Pioneer and then whack a Sony on instead, you might find the program will "ignore" the drive.

If this is the case, explain the situation to the manufacturer of your burning program. Most of them are aware this happens and will relicense the software for that drive for a nominal fee (in some cases, that nominal fee is your e-mail asking about it !!), and the unlocking of which is either done with a golden serial based on your existing serial number or an update patch.

[burna3000]

Just a few thoughts from me, as I've been looking at the drives again- to make sure, is there nothing i can do to get my old drive [103] working again, or is it 'dead' ?

thinking about another drive, how important is:
(1) having a buffer bigger that 2MB?
(2) Having the capability to burn to DVD-RAM discs?
(3) buying a 'lesser known' brand of drive, ie not sony/pioneer ect?

[burna3000]

OK- here are a few drives that I've picked out- but i'm struggling to decide on one- perhaps some of you own/know anything about them that i should know? to help me to decide?

*Iomega 32700
*LG GSA4040B
*NEC ND1300
*Pioneer A06
[all 4x-r/+r ect]

*Sony DWU10A


Also- just to make sure- what extra do you get with the retail versions that you dont with the OEM versions?
I'd rather not pay extra foe stuff i dont need- but on the other hand, i dont want to be without stuff i do

[SLICK RICK]

I have heard many good things about the NEC and the Pioneer, so I choose between the 2 if it were me buying it. I have a Sony dual format, the 500 not the 510.

SLICK RICK

[burna3000]

Cheers rick- how about the other drives- has anyone any views?
Am i right in thinking that the iomega and the nec drives are the same one, just different badged?
What about my Qu Re: OEM/retail- any views?

[machine head]

I've just bought this one and am very happy with it.
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3...duct_uid=50918

[burna3000]

OK- so I decided on the A03 in the end- thought best to stick with one that you can rely on. Anyway, I've installed it in ma PC, but it isn't recognised by windows, although it is powered as it opens/closes.
Am i right in saying that i need to go into the BIOS settings?
Can someone explain how i do this, and what to select plz?
BTW, its on the secondary slave