Please help with DVDR Drive purchase

[PappaDj]

OK I've got a headache trying to decide which drive to buy. I was hoping to spend around or under $170 but I don't want to suffer too much from compatibility problems, speed, or EFM/SD2.5+ problems. I see a lot of support for the LG and NEC drives. I'm going to use neweggs parts and prices for examples of drives I'm looking at but am open to buy elsewhere if the price is right.

DVD+RW $145 LiteOn LDW-401S (EMF; CDMATE=YES, THEDOLPHINREVIEW=?)
DVD-RW $159 LG GMA-4020B (EMF; CDMATE=?, THEDOLPHINREVIEW=YES)
DVD-/+RW $163 NEC ND-1300A (EMF; CDMATE=NO, THEDOLPHINREVIEW=NO)
Multi-Drive $230 LG GSA-4040B (EMF; CDMATE=YES, THEDOLPHINREVIEW=?)

1) Looks like the best deal would be the LG 4020B or the 4040B but I was hoping to spend around or under $180 for a DVD+/-RW drive that has EMF support. Should I worry about Dual or Multi drives with EMF support unless I have over $200 to spend or is there a drive that fits my budget here? The DVD-RAM doesn't seem to be a great feature if you already have +/- support from what I understand but feel free to edjucate me.

2) I've enjoyed Lite-On's DVD and CDRW drives. The DVD+RW is the cheapest here and it supposedly supports EMF. Am I going to get similar compatibility results with the LDW-401S as that of the LG4020B?

3) The NEC 1300A, I've read a little about the firmware hack. What will this enhance specifically and will it make it a better drive then the LG?

Basically I want the best results for the best price... don't we all. Any ideas here? Sorry for the winded thread. I just hate tossin down bills and then wanting something else 2 days later.

Sources:
http://www.thedolphinreview.com/LinksData/DVDWriterList/PCDVDWriters.htm
http://cdmate.copystar.com.tw/enu/recorderlist/index_list.htm

[Dubber]

I'll express my personal opinion here,

I myself got the NEC 1300A and am very happy. The only reason you may want firmware update/hack, is to write to wider range of cheaper blanks and in quantities like 100s. If you are planning on making lots of burns and cost per copy is a BIG concern, then get the update.
The drive is very-very good, supports both + and - but no DVD-RAM as LG 4040 does, that's why it costs more, along with higher CD burning speeds.
NEC's German site actually posted the FW update a few days ago, the one that's supposed to work, v.1.06.

LiteOn and LG 4020 are single format drives and you may have compatibility issues with your set top DVD player.

I was discussing the drives you mentioned above thou.

Good luck and hope I could help.

[Bob W]

I would go with the NEC ND-1300a dual format DVD+/-R/RW drive for a mere $137 here.
http://avlogic.com/product.cgi?code=18030049

[PappaDj]

Thanks for the info Dubber and BobW. I think I'm sold on th 1300A. One question, does this drive have EMF support with the new firmware?

Just a correction on your link Bob W, you listed the NEC 1100, the 1300A is $145 but ground shipping to VA brings it over $155
http://avlogic.com/product.cgi?code=18030059

The cheapest I found it with a similar resellerratings.com score is for $149.00 shipped here
http://www.dljsystem.com/detailsCDDVD.asp?productID=1555

[Bob W]

Opps wrong link, here is the correct link and yes it's $145. BTW I bought the NEC 1100a from these folks and the delivery was very fast.
http://avlogic.com/product.cgi?code=18030059

[Dubber]

YW Pappa
I never thought of EMF support, but new FW for the NEC doesn't include it.

[Bob W]

YW Pappa
I never thought of EMF support, but new FW for the NEC doesn't include it.

DUH, what is EMF support?

[JSB]

DUH, what is EMF support?

EMF

[troyvcd1]

I also want to know what is EMF. Why do I need this???????????????????

[JSB]

from: http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Articles/PrinterFriendly.asp?ArticleHeadline=Writing+Quality

- Whats is EFM?

EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation) is a method of encoding source data for CD formats into a form that is easy to master, replicate and playback reliably. EFM modulation gives the bit stream specific patterns of 1s and 0s, thus defining the lengths of pits and lands. EFM permits a high number of channel bit transitions for arbitrary pit and land lengths. The merging bits ensure that pit & land lengths are not less than 3 and no more than 11 channel bits. This reduces the effect of jitter, distortions on the error rate, increases data density and helps facilitate control of the spindle motor speed.

Whatever that means!