Looking for good 8MB cache burner -- only Plextor?

[spiffy]

Hi everyone,

My Sony DRU510A is still working fairly well; but I am in need of getting a new computer, and frankly I am not too interested in removing the Sony from my current machine. So I am looking to buy a new burner -- but I am hoping to buy another one with 8MB of cache instead of 2MB that most offer. Is the Plextor 712A my only choice? I read that it's very picky about the media -- even though I mainly use Maxell and Prodisc DVD-Rs -- and since DVD-R DL is not out yet, it's not a requirement for me.

I haven't been keeping up with the latest and greatest; so if anyone can give me some suggestions on some brands, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

(I'm in the US, btw.)

Spiffy

[budz]

Go to www.cdfreaks.com and check out the recording hardware forum sites on PLEXTOR, PIONEER, NEC, LG, LITEON, BENQ, & BTC. They have good information on dvd burners. All brands have their strength and weaknesses. There isn't one brand that is the BEST or GREATEST. That is just my opinion. They all have their pros and cons.
Newegg.com has the best deals on dvd burners!

[spiffy]

Thanks, I will give that site a look...

After I posted my original message. I realized that I could have gone to the DVD Writers List and search based on cache size; and indeed quite a few other brands popped up, albeit much lesser known brands. I realize that no one drive is "perfect"; but seems like a larger cache can only be a plus, not a minus. Since all of my other optical burners in the past have had larger-than-average cache sizes and worked well, I guess I want to keep that factor out of the equation per se...

Still would appreciate any inputs, thanks!

Spiffy

[garryheather]

Don't forget that most burning programs read ahead and cache into your system memory. That then acts as an additional buffer. In fact, I've just looked at my free memory and found almost 600Mb free...

Then of course there's buffer under-run protection on practically every drive going, which although not perfect as far as introducing errors goes means no coasters due to the data running out.

You probably don't need an 8Mb buffer, so I wouldn't let that allow you to overlook an otherwise perfectly good drive.

[lenti_75]

i wouldn't go just for a 8 mb buffer. Think that Benq makes one too.

2 mb is good enough for burning.

[Jayhawk]

spiffy I agree with you regarding the 8m cache. I understand that cacheing algorithims and speed probably have as much to do with it as anything but common sense tells me "it can't hurt", and it doesn't cost more. So why not.

Plextor does some pretty nifty things with their PowerRec technology and I suspect it's related to the larger cache.

I have found my Plextor 708A performs very well with a wide range of media (TDK, Maxell, Fugi, Verbatim). All writes are above the rated speed of the disc. I'm writing some old Fugi 2.4's at 3.4. I'm sold on Plextor. I will admit I only do +R/+RW.