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  1. I'm soliciting recommendations on external DVD burners for use with my Compaq laptop and Windows XP Professional OS.

    I would like to find one that is both DVD+ and DVD- compatible and capable of burning SVCDs, VCDs, MP3 music disks and conventional Data CD formats and above all, one that is durable, that won't necessitate disposing of it in 6 months.

    I'd like to spend about $200 but would be willing to spend as much as $250 for a product of commensurate quality. Can anyone recommend a manufacturer and/or model??

    I've already experimented with an internal drive, the Pioneer A06U, connecting it to my Compaq laptop through an external bay, IDE to USB 2.0 high speed conversion, but could not author DVDs. (I even upgraded the Compaq/HP service packs for the laptop and my Windows XP Pro operating system and while the laptop recognized the drive and could even read CD's and DVD's placed in the drive, I was unable to author DVD's, VCDs or SVCDs for that matter. I also tried using three different burning programs-- Nero, Alcohol 120% and Ullead) Ultimately, I had to return the drive.

    Compaq/HP, it seems, recommends purchasing an external drive with direct USB 2.0 compatibility.

    Any recommendations? Feel free to enlighten me.
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  2. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Monroe, Mi
    Search Comp PM
    hey, i had the same problem you did. i have a brand new compaq laptop with win xp, and i bought a pioneer a06 and connected it via a usb 2.0 enclosure. spent three months trying to getit to burn, but i couldnt. i could read dvds fine, but not burn them. i sent the drive back and that didnt help. so finally i bought the same enclosure i had, but the firewire version instead of usb 2.0. now it works perfectly! i can read/burn cds and dvds. so i guess there was something with the usb connection on the laptop that wouldnt let it burn. here is the link to the firewire enclosure i bought:

    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-145-315&catalog=92&manufa...=BROWSE&depa=1
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  3. Hey, thanks, I appreciate it. For curiousity's sake, can you tell which model Compaq laptop you own?
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  4. Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
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    Greece
    Search Comp PM
    My 2 pence:

    Go with firewire!!!
    It has never failed me yet!
    (Cant say the same about USB/USB2!! )

    LeoNapier
    The Truth Is Out There - X Files
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  5. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Manhattan, NY
    Search Comp PM
    I have had my external since it first came out (about a year and a half ago - there are newer models)

    Its the external hp200e (they have a 300e now). It has BOTH firewire and usb2 in one unit. I love it.

    They also make a unit now that is based on the 300e that also has video inputs so you can capture through it. I think that unit is only usb2 though
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  6. Member
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Columbus, OH, USA
    Search Comp PM
    My external DVD burner is a Lacie d2 DVD+/- R/W drive which is actually a Pioneer DVR-106D drive. It's connected to my Sony Vaio laptop via USB 2.0. It works just fine. $249 US direct from www. lacie com.
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  7. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Monroe, Mi
    Search Comp PM
    i have a compaq presario 2570us that i bought this summer. my burner is a pioneer 106. with my new firewire enclosure, i have been burning dvds problem free. i guess the usb 2.0 in my laptop just isnt up to par on transferring data.
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  8. egghead has a usb2/firewire exteral case for 49 dollars ... it's a thought.
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  9. Originally Posted by rgtaa
    egghead has a usb2/firewire exteral case for 49 dollars ... it's a thought.

    I just put in a Lite On 451S duel drive in an ADS combo enclosure, I don't have firewire ports and am using USB 2.0 PCMCIA card to connect my ext HD and the burner to my laptop.

    So far I have burned 10 dvd's and burning is not a problem, do have some other issues related to playing the discs in the burner but they are related to Powerdvd.

    BTW - the ADS enclosure is superb, the build quality is amazing compared to the El Cheapo's available everywhere. Trust me I do have my 160 GB HD in one of those, no complaints so far, but ADS is just too good. It's built like a freakin tank. I paid $ 76 at dell and it has a $ 20 MIR = $ 56 is a good price, shipping was free too and Superfast. I got the box in 2 days.
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  10. Is this a current rebate running with Dell? When did you order it.
    Milt
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  11. If your going to go for an external dvd writer you'll need to get an external enclosure such as usb2 or firewire then you will also need a pcmcia usb2.0/Firewire card if your laptop does not have any firewire/usb2.0 ports.Most new laptops have firewire ports and not usb2.0 ports from what i've seen. Depending on the quality of the enclosure you gets plug n play works fine.

    if using a pcmcia usb2.0 card -install the right pcmcia drivers or the external dvd writer will only work as a usb1.0 device which means you cant burn anything other than at 1X speed if it even burns successfully and even playing dvds is difficult with such low bandwidth. :P

    this works for me using windows xp and my asus laptop
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  12. Originally Posted by Milt
    Is this a current rebate running with Dell? When did you order it.
    Here's the link, the rebate is valid til 12/31/03 so order soon if you want on. You will need to sign up for Dell SB account in order to get extra 10% off and free shipping.

    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?Sku=A0103765&category_id"6D&cust...=us&l=en&cs=19

    Edit: Don't know why the url is not hyperlinkedm, just copy paste or go to dell website and search for Part #: A0103765 | Manufacturer #: DLX-185
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  13. can anyone recommend an external USB DVD+-RW that is powered from the USB port (ie no external power adaptor)

    I am struggling - looks like the only one is the LaCie and it's discontinued (for now)

    I have a new Tosh Tablet PC and the Tosh drive is mega $$$

    tia
    John
    Thanks
    John Edwards
    mailto:jzedward@hotmail.com
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  14. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Monroe, Mi
    Search Comp PM
    there arent any dvd burners that are powered by the usb port as far as i know. dvd burners require a lot of power, and the usb ports dont really put out enought to run them.
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