DVD/CD Burner?

[LCE]

Hi,
I am looking for a good External DVD/CD Burner for my computer and was wondering if anybody had any suggestions on a good one?
I don't have any computer skills/knowledge so all the jargon used is really confusing.
I don't have a lot to spend on it either(under &100).
I was maybe hoping for a package deal with software included(NERO)but the only place I see that has this offer is NewEgg.
NewEgg has a Philips I was looking at,mainly because its in my price range...Here's a link...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827248003

What do you all think of this one?

Also what am I looking for in terms of compatibility with my computer?
I would like to use the Burner between other computers that I have,if this is possible?

If I have left anything out that may help you help me Please let me know.

Any help you all could give me on this would greatly be appreciated.
Thank You

[Epicurus8a]

You're sure to get lots of different opinions on burners and merchants. Here's my suggestion for an external USB 2.0 burner:
http://www.meritline.com/pioneer-dvr-111d-with-usb-enclosure.html

Here's the same external burner with Firewire added (only $10 more):
http://www.meritline.com/pioneer-dvr-111d-with-combo-enclosure.html

Pioneer makes great burners, and Meritline is a reputable merchant.

Always use quality media like Taiyo Yuden. Verbatim, Fuji, Maxell are also good choices - just remember to check the package for the words "Made in Japan."

Good Luck!

[Bjs]

You would require sp2 for usb2 ... not listed in pc specs .

Without it , your very much stuck using internal unit's .

[prokoro]

hello,
Before you make a decision check this out.

http://search.ebay.com/samsung-dvd-writer_W0QQfkrZ1QQfnuZ1

[LCE]

Hi Epicurus8a,
Thanks,I'll check those two out.

Hi Bjs,
I'm not really sure what your post means? I'm not computer literate so I'm not even sure the PC Specs that I listed in my profile are correct?

Thanks prokoro but those are for Internal and what I am looking for is external.

Thanks for the help everyone...I'm still open to suggestions and any other advice

[oldandinthe way]

Both Newegg and meritline are reliable vendors.

I'm not sure I'd buy either of these drives. If I were a computer illiterate, I'd want a drive which would be tolerant of whatever media I happend to find on sale and purchase.

Check the DVDwriter listings (link at the left of the page) to see if these drives are work with most media or are "picky".

Many people buy drives they come to love, but adapt their media purchasing to the media which their drives prefer, even if it means no local source of media and higher prices and shipping charges. I don't know if you are among those people.

[LCE]

Hi oldandinthe way,
Well,I checked the DVDwriter listings but couldn't tell heads or tails wether either of those 2 drives is what I would need.
I agree with you in that I'd want a drive which would be tolerant of whatever media I happened to find on sale and purchase,as well.
I'm not among those people you refer to mainly because I am on a fixed budget and don't have a lot to spend which is the reason I am looking for an External drive that will burn DVD's/CD's,work with my computer and be able to go between other computers and hopefully come with a software package.

It seems like the more I read-up on this the more confusing it all gets

I appreciate the help
Thank You

[Epicurus8a]

Hi Epicurus8a,
Thanks,I'll check those two out.

Hi Bjs,
I'm not really sure what your post means? I'm not computer literate so I'm not even sure the PC Specs that I listed in my profile are correct?

Thanks prokoro but those are for Internal and what I am looking for is external.

Thanks for the help everyone...I'm still open to suggestions and any other advice

Bjs means you should make sure you have the Service Pack 2 updates for your version of Windows XP. Every computer is set up differently, but you can try this: Click Start/Settings/Control Panel/Systems. Then You can tell which version of Windows XP you have.

These are the comments people have made about the Pioneer 111D burner and various discs:

DVD Media comments for this DVD Writer (click on the link to read the comments):
1 Budget 8xDVD-R (TYG02.......) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Dataware 8xDVD-R (TYG02.......) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Dynex 16xDVD-R (MCC 03RG20) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 FREE 8xDVD-R (GSC003......) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Fujifilm 2.4xDVD+R (RITEK...D01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 GQ (Great Quality) 2.4xDVD+R (RITEK...D03) comments, 0 good, 1 mixed, 0 poor.
1 GQ (Great Quality) 16xDVD+R (SONY....D21) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 HP 2.4xDVD+R (CMC MAG.D01) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Iomega 16xDVD-R (MCC 03RG20) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Maxell 8xDVD+R (MAXELL..002) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Maxell 16xDVD-R (RITEKF1....) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Office Depot 16xDVD-R (RITEKF1.....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Panasonic 16xDVD-R (TYG03.......) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Philips 16xDVD-R (CMC MAG. AM3) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Playo 2.4xDVD+R (RICOHJPND00) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Prodye 8xDVD-R (MCC 02RG20) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 RiData 4xDVD-R (RITEKP01....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Sony 16xDVD+R (SONY....D21) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Sony 16xDVD-R (SONY16D1....) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Taiyo Yuden 8xDVD-R (TYG02.......) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 TDK 8xDVD+R (CMC MAG.E01) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 TDK 16xDVD+R (YUDEN000T03) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Traxdata 8xDVD+R (RITEK...S04) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Verbatim 8xDVD+R (MKM.....003) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
4 Verbatim (DataLifePlus) 2.4xDVD+R (MKM.....001) comments, 3 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.

Most of the problems encountered were with cheap discs. Please re-read my comments in my first post about buying quality media. Quality media is only pennies more per disc. Here's a good deal on Taiyo Yuden 8x DVDs (also from Meritline). http://www.meritline.com/taiyo-yuden-8x-dvd-r-media-silver-lacquer.html
If you buy the discs at the same time you buy the burner, you can probably save on shipping.

Good luck!

[LCE]

Hi Epicurus8a,
I went to the control panel but there isn't any Systems Icon to be found...?

This stuff is amazingly complicated(at least for Me)and I am having a bear of a time comprehending any of it.
So I think what I will do is just buy the Pioneer 111D burner and hope for the best,it doesn't look like it comes with the NERO software like the Philips(which I am still considering buying) I linked to but maybe there's a way around that?

The discs you mention look like a pretty good buy and I will definitely keep them in mind.

Thank You

EDIT: I have to stop looking especially since I haven't a clue what I am looking for I came across this burner as well...
http://www.meritline.com/nec-ad-7170a-18x-dvd-multi-writer-with-software-and-usb-enclosure.html

[kschang]

If you buy the 111D package form Best Buy it comes with Nero Essentials.

[Richard_G]

Hi Epicurus8a,
I went to the control panel but there isn't any Systems Icon to be found...?

In that case you've probably still got XP set in children mode. I assume you are seeing 9 or 10 big icons? On the left of the screen you should see an option to Switch to Classic View. Click that and System will appear. Double click System and it will show you what operating system, what processor and how much memory you have. If it says Service Pack 2, you can use a USB2 external drive.

As for drives, Pioneer have a much better reputation than Philips and the 111 is reckoned to be about the best they have ever made.