System Requirements for DVD Burner (NEC)?

[JesterPoet]

I'm thinking of adding a DVD burner to an older system. I have a P3-900 running windows XP pro, with 512MB ram. I've got 2 hard drives in it, and I generally have about 40GB free at any moment.

I was considering the NEC 3520, but after reading through a bunch of threads, I am curious as to whether or not I'll be able to do anything useful with it on my system. Basically, I'd like to back up my DVDs. I'd be playing the backups on a variety of different DVD players (primarily stand-alones, but every so often I use the portable if I have to). I'd probably be using DVDShrink until dual-layer media becomes more affordable, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

I'd be curious as to what people think. Is it worth picking the drive up? Will I be able to do what I want?

Thanks!

[mats.hogberg]

Absolutely. Only thing is that DVDShrink will take some time shrinking. Besides that, your copy will be as good as if you had a 3.4 GHz box with unlimited amount of RAM and HDD space.

/Mats

[mrswla]

I don't see why you should have any problems. Before I got a new system, I had a PIII 600mhz with a Pioneer dvr-108. I had no problems backing up movies. The only suggestion I have is, when making copies don't have anything running in the background (ie. virus scanner, spy blocker, etc.). Not that this will hurt anything, it could--I'm not sure, but it may slow your system down.

[rrtbusa]

I'm also kicking around the idea of installing a Nec 3520 on my Dell Dimension 4100, Windows 98se,Pent III,733mhz,384 memory,20gb & 160gb 2nd hard drive. Do you'll think it will work ok??? Mostly wanting to start copying movies, ripping & BURNING -R &-RW ???
Which one from this site, with software?????http://www.newegg.com/app/SearchProductResult.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0

[budz]

I'm also kicking around the idea of installing a Nec 3520 on my Dell Dimension 4100, Pent III,733mhz,384 memory,20gb & 160gb 2nd hard drive. Do you'll think it will work ok??? Mostly wanting to start copying movies, ripping & BURNING -R &-RW ???

you probably won't be able to achieve burning faster than 4x speed with your Pent III 733 mhz pc. i have a Pent III 933mhz pc that can burn up to 12x only with a BENQ 1620.

[rrtbusa]

Thanks for the help, But i still need alot more!! If i buy the Nec 3520A will the current sotware it comes with be ok?? Iread other posts where it seems people were having great results with the stock software??? Where do they get the "hacked s/w from? I'm really wanting to start copying & burning movies on my computer, but i want to learn a little info first. This site ROCKS, People really go out & help one another. Thanks

[steve2713]

Thanks for the help, But i still need alot more!! If i buy the Nec 3520A will the current sotware it comes with be ok?? Iread other posts where it seems people were having great results with the stock software??? Where do they get the "hacked s/w from? I'm really wanting to start copying & burning movies on my computer, but i want to learn a little info first. This site ROCKS, People really go out & help one another. Thanks

You mean hacked firmware, not software. People have had good luck with the stock firmware, although hacked firmware does provide some benefits such as faster ripping speeds and faster burns for certain media. Here's a place to look for a ton of information on NEC and different firmware versions:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=86

[mats.hogberg]

Bundled soft is rarely any good IMO. If possible, try to get some OEM packaged writer - you don't have to pay for software you're not going to use, and can live without a glossy leaflet. For backing up DVD , there's nothing better than DVDShrink + DVDDecrypter , both free.

/Mats

[boldy]

does this oem version of nec 3520 only use stock drivers from windows.

[steve2713]

does this oem version of nec 3520 only use stock drivers from windows.

I'm not certain what you mean, but if you're using Windows XP (and Win 2000 as well, I believe) you won't need any drivers to install the burner. Windows will recognize it when it's installed.

If you were asking about stock vs. modified firmwares, the answer to that would be that you can use whatever firmware for the NEC 3520 you want, OEM vs. Retail makes no difference.