Self-inflicted dilemma...

[Shtirlits]

I’m in the market for a DVD burner.
Somebody I know has a stationary Panasonic DVD burner that burns DVD-RAM drives as well as DVD –R, but not anything else. How many computer DVD-RAM burners are out there? I could only find two – Panasonic and LG. Is there more?

On one hand I would like to have DVD burner that could at least read DVD-RAM discs, that way I would be able to use DVD-RAM recording from my friend and then burn them on either DVD-R or RW. I was pretty much set to get LG GSA-4040B, but then I came across what appears to be somewhat conflicting reviews about this drive.

What is general consensus about this drive from the members here?

On another hand Plextor seems like an awesome product, but it doesn’t read DVD-RAM and almost $100 more then LG drive. Is Plextor really $100 better then LG?

[Gazorgan]

NEC 1300A is $120 delivered, 4x +R/RW -R/RW, but alas, nor DVD-RAM support(writing).

Reading DVD-RAM I haven't tried, but most people do that on their DVDROM.

[noki]

NEC 1300A. $112 from FuturePower PC. their packing sucks, though. oem package comes to you (at least to me) slightly larger than the drive itself. being oem the drive in just wrapped in thin plastic. i was lucky i got it delivered in good-working order. wrote to company...they replied they will improve process

[Shtirlits]

Reading DVD-RAM I haven't tried, but most people do that on their DVDROM.

I don't have DVDROM drive

[noki]

if your burner has to read ram you have very, very few (if any?) choices. good luck.

[FOO]

You need to get a DVD Rom.
They are dirt cheap, and you need it to Rip DVDs
so you don't wear out the Burner.

[Shtirlits]

It seems that DVDROMs don't get as much attention as DVD burners...where do I find reviews for them?...is there a consensus on a good DVDROM drive?

[Vanderlow]

Lite-on 166 and Toshiba's are popular. I see where Toshiba say it can read DVD-Ram on Newegg's site. Not sure about lite-on.

[Synergy]

It seems that DVDROMs don't get as much attention as DVD burners...where do I find reviews for them?...is there a consensus on a good DVDROM drive?

Both the Lite-On XJ-HD166S and Toshiba SD-M1712 are very good drives and able to read the DVD-RAM discs without cartridges, and you can get either one for less than $35 from NewEgg.com.

[Kingnog]

I just bought the LG burner...It's still being delivered, but every single review I have read about the burner has been very good...and its pretty cheap, so I'd say go with the LG