DVD Writers - both as internal and external

[SearchQuality]

Hello to All. I have a slot available in my PC, but I do not have any channels to connect a DVD writer. I am considering the following possibility: I intend to buy an external DVD writer with USB 2.0 connection. Then place this writer in the slot available with the help of an adapter and pass the USB cable inside the box and through an available slot at the back of the box to plug it into the USB port. In this way the external DVD writer will still be connected to the USB port, but it will be inside the PC box. I intend to avoid additional hardware and cables lying around cluttering my desk. My question is, has anyone tried this configuration and does anyone know of an external DVD writer model that can fit into a standard slot with or without an adapter? Any suggestion is welcome. Thanks.

[Bob W]

I would just buy an PCI IDE card (as low as $20) to give me more IDE channels. Or I would give up a CD writer for the DVD burner since the burner will also burn to CD.

[SearchQuality]

Thanks for the tip. A question: where can I get more info on this PCI IDE card? Is this just another card that will go into PCI slot? Will this pose any problem concerning IRQs?

[turk690]

Differences between external & internal models with regards to size & appearance depends on brand. For example, the new Sony 510 is the same in both, the difference is that in the external model it is merely housed in a box with a USB/FireWire connection. I see no hassles taking it out of the box as it is still ATAPI and putting it inside the PC. This would probably defeat your original purpose. But why do this? External models are in most cases substantially more expensive than their internal counterparts. If they are really required, fine, but to fit them as is inside a PC is another thing: while all internal writers are designed to fit in a 5.25" slot external models have different sizes that ARE NOT intended for that. Like the previous post better that you
1. keep the external writer EXTERNAL and plug it into the USB port as is or
2. replace any existing CD-ROM writer with an internal DVD-writer