Help regarding purchase of external writer

[yan]

I am about to purchase a multi format external dvd writer. At present all I require it for is to write photos and slides to it which I have been putting on a laptop computor. The laptop is only usb 1.0 so I assume the writer will only work at a slower speed than usb 2.0.
I see that the NEC 2500a is highly recommended but I can not see it for sale in an external version here in the UK.
Can someone please recommend some other quality writers for me.

[redwudz]

The laptop is only usb 1.0 so I assume the writer will only work at a slower speed than usb 2.0.

It will barely work at USB1.0. I would not waste my time with this setup. Get a USB2.0 cardbus card or a Firewire card and save yourself a lot of grief. They are inexpensive and I would recommend the Firewire card for more dependability and compatibilty. For an external box, Firewire just works better. A external box with both Firewire and USB2.0 is the best setup as it gives your more options.

[yan]

Hi Redwudz thankyou for the reply and advice.
Will it be possible to install a firewire card in my laptop if this is the best way to go, i have no experience on these things, the laptop is a Dell Inspiron 4100.
By saying external box with USB 2.0 and firewire do you mean external writer or another type of case with an internal writer fitted. Please can you explain this to a novice, I have read that an external case can be purchased and then a writer fitted but have no knowledge on this. What type of case is required if this is what is required.
Sorry to be so naive.

[Huyzel]

Hey yan -

redwudz was talking about a notebook card like this one:
www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1061127582450&skuId=5977099&type=product

And he meant an external recorder with USB and Firewire capabilities:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1063670070888&skuId=6046487&type=product&pr...oryId=cat01041

Hope this helps!

[hardwired]

I plan on going with the Pioneer DVR-107 (OEM) and putting it in USB2.0/Firewire external drive kit. The Price is almost half of the external Plextor in the BB link. I notice some vendors package the OEM DVD writers with an external kit and Nero. I'll let you know which vendor I go with, but Mwave, compgeeks and cooler-express look like good possibilities.

Since your notebook lacks USB2.0 and firewire ports, you will need to get a PCMCIA card with firewire and usb2.0 ports. I would go with an Adaptec if they make one. WinXP would be the preferred OS.

[redwudz]

Huyzel and hardwired have it correct. I used a Pioneer 104 in an external box (case) for a while and it worked well. USB2 works sometimes, but Firewire almost always works, so I recommend Firewire. A combo card like Huyzel shows is one way to go, though you might search around for a cheaper card. The external box I use is a no-name, but there are plenty around that are well built, all with an external power supply. If you have XP on your computer, the card will configure automatically and it will let you use the burner like any other drive. Most cards come with drivers for other OS's also. The advantage with having both interfaces on your DVD burner is so you can move it to different computers and make the most use of it, makes the whole setup more versatile for just a little more cost. If you don't want to assemble the box-burner combo (Actually very easy), you can just get a assembled setup and the PCMCIA card and cables and just plug and play. Since you are in the UK, you might check around some of the popular vendors there and see what you can find. As always a little time window shopping will save you time and money in the long run.

[yan]

Thanks to all of you for your help/advice I have learnt something from you all.
I did not know that an external firewire/USB 2.0 card was available, I assumed I would have to fit one into the laptop.
I am now going to have a good look around the vendors for your recommendations, an external card and an internal writer with case, the writer and case supplied with Nero sounds pretty good.
Any other recommendations apart from Pioneer.
Thanks once again for the help, much appreciated.

[yan]

I have been trying to track down an external enclosure with USB 2.0, firewire and power supply for the fitting of a DVD writer but cannot find any Vendors who supply such a thing here in the UK.
Any help please.

[Hardcoreruss]

Maplins sell them I think

[yan]

Hi Hardcoreruss
thanks for the repy. I have found the drive case shown on maplins and have e-mailed them asking if it is possible to convert this to firewire.
I am now waiting for a repy from them.

[Hardcoreruss]

The case I bought from there had both usb2 AND firewire, I don't think it is possible to convert a usb2 case to a firewire one, what would be the point ?