External 5.25" cd-rom enclosure USB 2.0 OR Firewire

[Growler]

Anybody out there know where I can get a cheap external enclosure from to fit my sony dvd-writer in, preferably within the u.k.

Cheers :P

[Growler]

Someone must be able to give me a bit of help guys.

[dalmaar]

I have a few of these external boxes and can shed some light
on the subject.

I have a 3 different boxes:
speedzter 5 (cost $115) both USB2 and firewire
Plumax 525U2 (cost $30) USB2 only
Plumax 525U2F (cost $48) both USB2 and firewire.

I have a Sony DRU500a, WD 120 gig HD and a liteon CDRW in
these cases. I moev them around between machines alot.

I have had my DRU500a in all 3 cases and it does not work in the 525U2 (USB2 only) properly. I am not sure why, maybe the chipset it to old or something, but it definitely is the case. Everything else works in the 525U2 perfectly.

I actually like the Plumax cases better for several reasons, built in power supply (no external brick to forget at home), disassembles without screwdriver, has a fan (my DRU500a was HOT in the speedzter case and that little fan in the plumax keeps the DRU500a cool). The Plumax cases have cheaper cconstuction and are louder (due to fan) but not to bad., but they are significantly cheaper.

I purchased my plumax cases at newegg.com and pcmicro.com. I would
recommend a dual format case unless the price is really an issue. If you get a case and are putting a HD in it be sure to look for one that supports larger (>120 gig) HDs, adn of course that is says clearly that it support USB2 (VERY important). My USB2 only does NoT claim it can support larger HDs, so I put my CDRW in it.

Hope that helps some..

[dcsos]

I bought external cases from WWW.AVLOGIC.COM
GREAT
and $69.00

firewire is better than usb for video especially capturing.
EITHER IS GOOD FOR HARD DRIVES..BUT REMEMBER each usb pERIPHERAL
YOU BUY CLOSES THE port while FIRE WIRE you can keep daisy chaining

[Varmit]

PC Microstore has several models to choose from. I use their "House Brand 3.5/5.25 to IEEE 1394 External Enclosure for my DVD drive and I love it. I've got a buddy that uses the same box for a 120gig drive and he is quite happy as well. Their ordering system is pretty good and their delivery quick. If you mention GotApex.com at checkout you will get free shipping!

http://www.pcmicrostore.com/class-detail.asp?class=174

[Doggiedaddy]

I got a couple of the speedzter 5 from MERITLINE.COM and they has worked well for me. I do not use for mobile DVD though, rather I keep large HDs in them for full BU/automated recovery of all my machines. So I do move them from one machine to another and utilize both IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0 with no problems. I do not know what effect the firewire or USB would have, if any, on data transfer to removable media??

Dd
Link may bit be exactly on the product but will get you close.
http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch?query=speedzter+5&first=10&only=0&categ=...alog=meritline

[adobeman]

I got one at http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ME-320U2F for about $60 USD. I put a Cendyne DVD-RW (rebadged Pioneer 105) and use it with my firewire card. It does USB20 too but I don;t have a USB2.0 card.

Works great. Burned many DVD's with no problems. Nice way to get an external drive cheap !

[dcsos]

I have the following external boxes:

1. ADS PYRO external 1394 box (now Cheapened by using an external POWER SUPPLY) ood for 5.25 also...$100.00..good quality tho'
2. ADS USB 2 box(same deal, earlier edition had a better interface with the power supply inside)
3. Macally ("for MAC only 11394 box") works with my PC like a charm..and for $70.00 at DATA VISION NY has internal PS and newer Oxford Chipset (2.0)..great!
4. BAFO USB box.The fan in its power supply failed 1 week into the life of this shitty box. It still works fine after I removed the DATA CORRUPTING broken fan assembly. NeVER contacted the shifty maker of this box (I have two and the fan still works in the other one)
5. Generic USB 2 enclosure for 3.5 device by brand X..there was no brand on this $40.00 item and there is o fan inside this thing..Works but gets kind hot...
6. Case from AVlogic.. Great 1394 box with built in POWER.
7. Case with GENERIC OXFORD 911 (vers1.4) Chipset enclosure sold by COMPUSA as Firewire enclosure for $59.00 Comes with wall wart (external POWER SUPPLY)Note: I find the units with built in PS's are best for HOT-SWAPPING by far..

While it should be easy to switxch all of these quickly, practically speaking, the power supply cable gets twisted in with other wires, and I'm lost..but those with built in power are always free to swap from room to room, tower to tower!

Now all my data goes ouside the BOX!
and when WINDOWS crashes (for good maybe?) I just reformat, Knowing all I created is on HARD DRIVES outside the TOWER