New dual/double layer burner purchase suggestions

[Noek]

Hi - looking for a new dual/double layer burner. I was using an nd3500ag for a while and it worked fine except that it would not burn -dl disks..I went with a reccomendation to flash to a newer firmware and it rendered the drive useless...I couldnt remove the previous firmware because the flash utility would not recognize the drive and in windows, if I tried to access it, it would lock up.

So, in a nutshell, I'm looking for a solid dvd burner that I wont have to flash, something that I can install and use right away that also wont be finicky with current media types. Thanks for any suggestions.

[ROF]

All drives should be flashed at some point to increase their compatibility with newer media and write strategies that appear every so often. Just make sure to flash properly.

That being said I wouldn't much more than $50USD for any burner today. There are approximately 3 dozen dual layer burners in this price category. Spending more means you're getting less bang for your buck. Blue Laser technology is beginning to hit the market with burners soon to follow. Spending more now on older technology is just a waste. If your are seriously considering spending $80 or more on burner I'd buy a $50 burner and spend the other $30 on some well needed RAM, a flash drive, or even a new mouse/keyboard.

Some burners to look at would be the NEC 3550a, the LG4167B, the Pioneer DVR-111D, or the Lite-On 165H6S.

[handyguy]

I think that staples has one for $49 now on sale thats a Benq lightscribe.

[hech54]

Why the obsession with -R(DL)?
...or a preference for either + or - media?
I'll never understand that. DL is expensive in either format and I use both -R and +R media with no compatibility issues whatsoever.

[lenti_75]

you dont buy the drive for DL especially the -DL which is worse than +DL

any nec or pioneer

[OneSickPup]

I think that staples has one for $49 now on sale thats a Benq lightscribe.

Staples has carried 3 different models of IOMagic Lightscribe drives. If it is old stock (specs will state dvd+r 16x,dvd-r 8x and dvd+r dl 2.4x) - those will be Benq 1625's and should be avoided. If it states dvd+r and dvd-r at 16x with 8x DL, then it will be either a Benq 1655 or a Liteon 165H6S. There is a sneaky way to tell the Benq from the Liteon. Lift the flap at the bottom of the box enough to see the inner packaging. If the drive is wrapped in pink bubble-wrap it's a Liteon, the Benq will be wrapped in a clear plastic. That technique has worked with 3 purchases I know of but obviously can't be considered fool-proof.

Almost forgot - Use this for an additional 12% off this week
http://www.staplescentral.com/customerAppreciation/images/06_CustAppCard_March.pdf