Getting a new 8X burner, some recommendations

[VinnySem]

Hiya fellas/fellettes,

My trusty A06 died (reasons unknown, methinks because it was the only drive in my rig and I used it for ripping) (thank god for newegg's extended warranty) and I am going to replace it with an 8X burner. I am leaning towards getting the A07. The other drives I am looking at are the NEC 2500A, the Liteon 812S, and the Sony U18A/530A. Main reason I'm leaning towards Pioneer is hacking the FW to get 8X4All. I would consider the TDK and Plextor drives, but they are out of my $140 max price range. Does anyone have any recommendations to sway me towards another drive? Are there other drives I should consider, like Optorite or LG?

Thanks.

[BobK]

I tried a TDK drive and had problems getting disks that my standalones would play. Also tried a Sony DRU 530. Ended up getting a LiteOn 851s- I paid $130 at Best Buy ($179 plus tax minus $40 in rebates).

I don't know about the NEC but I'm happy with the Liteon it's currently $101 at newegg.

[handyguy]

What kind of computer?

try reading left column, dvd writers, hundreds of comments.

[Gil T Pleasure]

The other drives I am looking at are the NEC 2500A...

Newegg.com has the NEC ND-2500A for $92 with free shipping. Hurry though, coz the sale ends 3/16/2004 @ 4:00pm PST.

[Vanderlow]

BenQ got one of the best burns esp at 8x as reviewed by C't magazine. See my comments in the DVDtoDVDr forum. Get a KHypermedia made in Malyasis at Office Max (rebadged BenQ) when it will be on sale in a week for either $70 or $80 and use the BenQ firmware to convert. Otherwise the 2500A.

[VinnySem]

I have an nForce2 Ultra 400 based system with a Barton 2500+ overclocked to 2.2ghz, running Windows XP pro.

I am not so concerned with getting a "better deal" on a lesser expensive drive, my primary concern is getting a quality drive. That being said, the Plextor is out of my price range, I can't spend more than $140, the Ways and Means Committee (a.k.a. wife) hasn't appropriated funds for that. But I want a drive with quality construction. I've read the comments and reviews in the DVD writer section, unfortunately they didnt help much, they kind of run the gamut.

[andkiich]

I don't think that you can really go wrong with either an A07 or the NEC. And while you're at it, look on the web for a DVD-ROM drive. A lot of places have them for around $30.

[VinnySem]

After reading some reviews, I think I am going to get the NEC drive. Several sites had the write quality of the NEC much higher than the Pioneer, which is surprising to say the least. Newegg has the NEC drive with a silver face too, which would look much cooler in my Aluminum AMS case than P.O.B. (plain ole beige). The 530A would look sweet in my case, but it is constructed for crap, according to everyone that has one.

I have a Sony DVD-ROM, but I think I am going to get the LiteOn that everyone on here raves about, newegg has it for around $35.

[Hardcoreruss]

107 all day long.

[handyguy]

How about a buslink usb external 2.0/fw ?
Staples is carrying this External 8x Dual Format DVD/CD Burner for $179.94
Apply $30 off $150 coupon Code: "35888".

There is a $30 Exclusive Rebate on it until 03/27/2004

Your Final Price: $179.94 - $30 - $30 = $119.94 + Free Shipping

[VinnySem]

How about a buslink usb external 2.0/fw ?
Staples is carrying this External 8x Dual Format DVD/CD Burner for $179.94
Apply $30 off $150 coupon Code: "35888".

There is a $30 Exclusive Rebate on it until 03/27/2004

Your Final Price: $179.94 - $30 - $30 = $119.94 + Free Shipping

That drive is only 4X -R, and I would rather spend less money and get an 8X internal drive and not have to wait months for a rebate check.

[jaxxboss]

I agree with Vanderlow, get the benq/khypermedia 8x drive. Make sure it is the one made in Malyasia. Plus you can update the firmware to -R4x as well to make it dula format. $69.00 beats the pants off all the others!!

[VinnySem]

Ordered the NEC, 92.99 + free fedex saver shipping from Newegg, should have it by Friday

[mob]

I hope you don't use Ritek Media.....

The NEC doesnt burn the Ritek G04 discs that well.. most of the time it results in a write error.


I remember reading this a few days ago in this forum


https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=211415&highlight=nec+2500a

[jaxxboss]

u should have got the benq for $69.00

[mob]

u should have got the benq for $69.00

where do they sell it at that price?

[ViRaL1]

Omax has had it for that price after rebate off and on since it was came out.

[divx2vcd]

Hi,

You can also, go for Asus - 0804A or LG-GSA-4082B,
LG DVDR Drive is also good go to cdfreeks.com they done the test
of this drive.

Pioneer A07 will not to DVD-RAM this will I think you should check.

Regards.
Apurv.

[VinnySem]

I hope you don't use Ritek Media.....

The NEC doesnt burn the Ritek G04 discs that well.. most of the time it results in a write error.


I remember reading this a few days ago in this forum


https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=211415&highlight=nec+2500a

I use both Ritek G04 and BeAll 4X media. According to the review on CDFreaks, with this drive they got excellent results with both media brands, in fact the best ever results with ritek G04 disks: http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/134/7.

[VinnySem]

u should have got the benq for $69.00

In case you didnt see my earlier post, that drive is only a 4X -R burner. And I don't want an external drive.

[ViRaL1]

Here's another option... http://gogocity.com//product_details.asp?dept%5Fid=225&pf%5Fid=CO02CDR0226

LG 4082B
8x+R
8x-R
3x-RAM

$109+S&H

[VinnySem]

Here's another option... http://gogocity.com//product_details.asp?dept%5Fid=225&pf%5Fid=CO02CDR0226

LG 4082B
8x+R
8x-R
3x-RAM

$109+S&H

That does seem like a decent drive, but I don't particularly need or care for DVD-RAM. Can't argue a tri-format drive for that price though.

My NEC drive should be here by tomorrow or Monday. If it turns out to be a POS Newegg will refund without a restock fee if I have another drive cross-shipped, in which case I'll get the A07.

Thanks for all the feedback.