Make EIDE Int. DVD+/-RW work as USB2.0 Ext Device? Possible?

[I_AM_CANADIAN]

Sorry if this might sound dumb, but I was wondering if its possible to make an Internal EIDE DVD burner work as an External Device?

I have a AMD2400+ Laptop which I am quite satisfied with the performance, but am unfortuantely stuck with making SVCD's all the time. It seems like the "real" external USB2.0 burners are at least 2 times as more expensive, and i guess Im just trying to be cheap and save $100.

Are there any adaptors / hacked cable setups I can use? Or do I have to my open my wallet a bit deaper to join the DVD revolution?

[budz]

get a COMBO FIREWIRE/USB ENCLOSURE and install a internal DVD burner. FIREWIRE has less compatibility issues vs USB. FIREWIRE is better to use when it comes to video editing and dvd burning. you can do a search in here and see that most have problems using a USB ENCLOSURE. i suggested a COMBO ENCLOSURE in case you would like to see how both would work. my bet is the FIREWIRE will have less compatibility issues. do some research on prices for dvd burners and enclosures because for the combined price you may actually get a external dvd burner for about the same cost. FIREWIRE is the way to go.


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on the slow PENT 933 pc again

[I_AM_CANADIAN]

hey budz, thanks for the quick reply!

but again, im talking stupid here again, whats an "ENCLOSURE"? Can I find these at retail electronic stores, like Best But (in USA) or Future Shop (in Canada)?

I'ss search on the net, but this is all new to me. Any links would be appreciated.

Brennan

[I_AM_CANADIAN]

man, have i been living in the dark ages ... did i search on enclosures and couldnt believe what i found, and read - seems like a dream come true!

im not sure how "new" these things are, but am really pi$$ed that i paid £160.00 (approx. $CDN 350) for a 120GB Ext Harddrive just a year ago! wouldnt one of these puppies saved me some coin!

anyways, thanks again for the info budz!

[budz]

here's a link to take a look at some enclosures:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=702258/search=firewire%20enclosure
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still on the slow PENT 933 pc again

[Heavensent]

buy one with a fan, they work grate.

[untouchableflowz]

I'm assuming your computer already has usb 2.0 ports, and my opinion is you should go with the usb 2.0 connection as it is faster than the firewire connection, and for me, the usb was more stable, especially when working with mass external hard drives... I just added a 250gb external via my usb 2.0 ports, and compared to the 200gb external one i have connected via a firewire port, the 250gb drive runs a lot faster when transferring files, and burning from it, even though they both are by maxtor and both have a cache buffer of 8mb...

[mr. anderson]

I'm assuming your computer already has usb 2.0 ports, and my opinion is you should go with the usb 2.0 connection as it is faster than the firewire connection

USB 2.0 - 1.5 Mbit/s
Firewire -100 Mbit/s
As you can see.. Firewire is just a little quicker

[gmatov]

Mr. Anderson,

Sorry, that's USB 1.1 at 12 megaBITs, 1.5 MBPS.

USB 2.0, I believe, 480 mbps, 60 MBPS, Firewire, 450 mbps, about 56 MBPS.

It actually is faster, by the spec, and as the poster above you says.

Since I hit reply, I can't go back to read your original, but I think it said you are Canadian, so maybe you don't get shows up there. Enclosures usually go 30 to 40 USD at shows, at CompUSA, they are, I believe, 60 for USB 2.0, and, again, I think, 70 for dual, USB and Firewire, or IEEE 1394.

I have only 1 enclosure, USB 2.0, just as quick as an internal, basically. Have 2 External, premade, WD externals, same, more than fast enough for video work, 1 120, 1 80 gig. Will soon put a larger drive in the enclosure, when I go to a 250 or so, pull one of the little 60 or 80 gigs out of one of the machines.

Cheers,

George

[painkiller]

If you really feel adventuresome, try a Google Search on FIREWIRE BRIDGE.

This is the term given to the converter board(s) that adapt EIDE devices to an IEEE-1394 (firewire) interface.

These are the boards inside the external cases/boxes/enclosures that allow the use of "regular" hard drives, CD readers/burners and dvd readers/burners to be used on the firewire ports.