external dual dvd writer

[rikit]

Hi, I have these to choose from, I don't know much about externals, just what little I have been reading. My place of employment is footing the bill, so I just want some help in deciding which to order.
I have read that some externals use 2.0 or firewire ,some have both. Also some have a power adapter, or need external power.
These are what I have to choose from, please give me your opinion on which would be a good choice.
I/O Magic External 16x8x16x DVD +-RW/+-R USB 2.0 Dual Format/DL Drive
Iomega Super DVD Writer 16x16 Dual-Format USB 2.0 External

LaCie 16x DVD+/-RW DL USB 2.0

LaCie 8x Mobile DVD+/-RW DL USB 2.0

Memorex 16x16 Dual Format External DVD Double-Layer Recorder

Pacific Digital Double Layer External DVD Drive /max dvd write(+r/-r)16x/16x. max dvd rewrite(+rw/-rw) 4x/4x

[lumis]

i would purchase a good enclosure & dvd burner and make my own.. its very simple to do..

[redwudz]

I think I would vote for the laCie. IO magic and Pacific Digital I believe are low end brands. I don't know much about the Memorex or the Iomega.

Firewire is a lot more dependable as far as being problem free. USB 2.0 works for a lot of people most of the time. The best setup, IMO is a box with Firewire and USB 2.0. If you can find that in a 'Factory drive', great. If not, the solution lumis suggests is a good alternative. It doesn't take much more than a screwdriver to put a DVD drive in a external box.

If your computer doesn't have Firewire, then you need a PCI card. You want to make sure they have USB 2.0 also, or again a PCI card.

[rikit]

where and how do you get the enclosure? Would I then also get a internal dvd writer? The thing is my work gave me upto $180 to spend the rest is on me. I would have to see what to pick from as far as internal writers if I were to get an internal to put in a enclosure , the burner has to come from staples.

[rikit]

I did some looking into the enclosure deal. I seen what the setup looks like. Is the size of the internal dvd writer basically the same? I was looking at the enclosures with usb 2 and firewire hookup. I see that they have a dc adapter, I assume it plugs into an outlet for power? If I go that route, the dvd unit will be paid for by my employer, but the enclosure comes from my pocket. Here would be the dvd writers I would have to choose from( internal)

.I/O Magic 16x16x8 Internal Dual Format Double Layer DVD
I/O Magic Double-Layer Internal DVD Drive (+R/-R): 16x/8x (+RW/-RW): 4x/4x
I/O Magic Internal Double Layer DVD Rewritable Drive with Lightscribe™
Iomega Internal DVD Drive (+R/-R): 4x/4x (+RW/-RW): 2.4x/2x (3x DVD-RAM
Memorex 16x Internal Double-Layer DVD Recorder
Memorex Internal DVD Drive (+R/-R): 8x/8x (+RW/-RW): 4x/4x

Pacific Digital Internal DVD Drive (+R/-R): 12x/8x (+RW/-RW): 4x/4x
Pacific Digital Mach 16x8x16x Double-Layer Internal DVD
Sony 16x8x16x Internal DVD+-R/RW Drive

[redwudz]

All DVD internal writers are the same size (Well, some may be a little longer or shorter, but cases allow for that.) DC adapter, yes it's a wall plug power supply that plugs in the back.

I've had good luck with Sony burners. The Pacific and the I/O make me a little nervous. They seem be made by different companies at different times. They are probably from a major manufacturer, just rebadged to their name. Never sure what you are getting.

I'm not familiar with Iomega or Memorex burners, though I've used Iomega tape drives before. Too bad Staples is your only choice, they are somewhat limited in their brands. If the company is buying it, that's the one time to check into Staples extended warranty.

You can check on burners in the 'DVD Writers' category to the left.

One advantage to the external case, if you want to upgrade in the future, it's easy to change out the burner. The case should outlast most burners, so it's not a bad investment.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I second the buying of an internal burner and getting a good external enclosure.

[lumis]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=17-145-749&depa=1

i'd go with that enclosure.. and as far as a burner, you'll find plenty of people who like benq 1620 , pioneer 109, & NEC 3540 burners.. all good choices.. but people like them for different reasons.. i've got a pioneer & benq myself, both solid burners.

either way, you'll wind up spending less if you purchase them apart, instead of pre-built one.. and putting one together is very easy.. shouldnt take more than 5 minutes.

[rikit]

Lumis,
I would choose anyone of those burners to put in a external case, but unfortunitally I only have a choice of the above picks , do to my workplace buying it . The external enclosure comes out of my pocket. I have been pricing them lately. It sucks being on a buget, but I need to buy a 3rd camcorder still somehow aslo. My fiance will kill me if I keep spending cash on my toys and not towards wedding stuff.

[lumis]

i'm thinking the pacific digital is probably a toshiba dvd recorder.. they're alright at best.. i'm not sure about the memorex burner though.. you might try looking around here or the cdfreaks forums to see if you can match it up to the real burner.

[budz]

memorex dvd burners are REBADGED NEC DRIVES.

[rikit]

budz,
Not sure how to take that, is that a good thing or bad thing, Memorex? The external version comes with usb 2 port and firewire port.

[lumis]

i'd probably go with the memorex from the choices given, budz saying memorex's are NEC's, and that the enclosure has firewire & usb 2.0.

[sybariten]

Hi'y'all,
i'm stealing this thread because i have similar questions, and ask you:
is there any reason not to get this one:

http://www.alinasystem.se/productInfo.aspx?T1=Produkter/CD/DVD/DVD-br%C3%A4nnare/Extern/&T2=300776EK

Its a lacie that costs 899 in my currency. Most external DVDburners here are around 1000, but as far as i can see that Lacie one has 16x burning, dual layers, + and - burning so i cant really see why its so cheap.

The alternative would be to get a separate housing and buy an internal drive. I would go for both FW and USB then though, and the housings with both are quite expensive, around 595 by mailorder ..... and i can walk 100 meters and get the Lacie burner, so i'm kind of tempted....