best sub-$100 dvd burner

[jeex]

i'll be purchasing a new dvd burner in the next couple of weeks and i would like some advice from the chaps around here.

here are some things i would like from it;

atleast 8x burn speed for dvd-r & dvd+r
bitsetting (single & double layer dvd+r/w)
the ability to burn 4x media @ 8x
2x rip speed removal
region hack

i know this will require a hacked firmware, and i've got no problem with that. i havent used a factory firmware in any of my drives for many many years.

i've been looking at the NEC 2510a & the liteon SOHW-832s.. i'm open to suggestions for other burners.. herrie is doing some really good stuff with the NEC drives.

i've had this pioneer 106d for over a year now.. burns at 4x are failing too often (even with good media, updated firmware, dma, defagged hdd, etc).. and not to mention the fact 15 minutes is starting to seem like a long time

any help would be very much appreciated

[Faustus]

I'm thinking the liteon, people like Liteon so all sorts of stuff (hacked firmware, utils) get made for 'em. Plus they are pretty cheap to replace.

I feel ya on the Pioneer my orignal A04 eventually started giving errors on all but the highest quality media. It however leads a second life hidden inside my G4 at work.

[johns0]

I`ve got the liteon SOHW-812s hacked to liteon SOHW-832s and i havent had a bad burn yet after 2 months.Check cdfreaks for more info on the liteon burners.

[lordsmurf]

LiteON and Pioneer

[enstg8er]

another vote for lite on........
http://www6.tomshardware.com/storage/20040707/dvd_recording-14.html

[noki]

NEC 2500...about $63. you did not list DL as a requirement therefore I did not mention the 2510 (about $69 plus shipping/and_or tax). plus with original firmware 2510 cannot bitset. maybe with Herrie's...

[ofbarea]

NEC 2500 with hacked firmware. Bit setting, Dual layer, great writing quality…

Just burn at the rated speed of media.

[TerminalVeloCD]

Another vote for the NEC ND-2510A. Outstanding++ burn quality on almost everything. How could anyone compare the NEC to a LiteON?!?!?!

Regards,
TerminalVeloCD

[QuaiBoy]

I've set up lots of people with Pioneer 106/107s, and there are rarely problems. One dude with a 107 had to exchange it under warranty. Coastered about half the discs for no reason, and made a grinding sound when a disc was inserted. Acted like that the whole time he had it. The replacement drive is still going strong.
If you think you might be interested in DL burning, the Pioneer 108 will be out shortly. It's 12/16x DVD-R speeds are lackluster (according to preliminary benchmarks, newer f/w may change that), but it does offer 4x +RDL burning all for around $100. Something to consider.

Best of Luck,
-Evan-