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[miyuru]

Here's your choices (check out DVD writers ):

http://www.ncix.com/search/?QuickSearch=plextor&SearchSubmit=Go

So what's the best writer valuewise, and then which one is the straight up best (I'm assuming the most expensive). Sorry, I know jack all about DVD writers (+/- ??).

 

[The Shadow]

Best writer and best value would be the NEC 3500. It can be bought at newegg for <$100.

Plextor has always made great writers but you do pay a premium for them. I consider myself a fan of Plextor but I still went with an NEC 2510a (the slower precursor to the NEC 3500). For the price, it burns fantastic quality DVDs.

 

[miyuru]

Ah all right. I'm in Canada so that's why I used this site (newegg.com won't ship to Canada). I trust NEC from what you say, but I'm SO sick of shit CD burners that burn like crap, I want the best!

 

[The Shadow]

Just a slight warning.

The NEC drives really are the best overall writers but they're terrible readers. When I first got my 2510a, it sometimes wouldn't read its own disks even though my Samsung DVD-ROM read them fine and reported 0 errors.

Supposedly the 3500 has much improved reading over the 2510a (which is why I recommend it). I kinda wished I waited just a few months to get one but I don't regret getting the 2510a anyway. I upgraded the firmware and it seems to read all the burns I've made thus far. Great writes and smooth curves when I test using nero's DVDspeed. This is with relatively cheap media too (Ritek G04).

 

[FreakyFink]

What is the best (value) external DVD writer?

 

[ChrisReid]

The new Sony dual layer one is quite nice (700A). They just came out with a slightly faster (710A), so the 700's are getting cheap after just three months on the market or so. Newegg had them for like $117.

 

[The Shadow]

The Sony DVD writers are generally just rebagged Lite-Ons. If you're interested in a Sony drive, just get the much cheaper Lite-On equivalent. Sonys' are ripoffs because the Lite-Ons are essentually the same drives but have a much cheaper price.

Not only that, they're the same inside but for some unknown and incredibly stupid reason, Sony altered the firmware so that it doesn't do bitsetting. You pay more for fewer features.

 

[SickBoy]

Here's your choices (check out DVD writers ):

http://www.ncix.com/search/?QuickSearch=plextor&SearchSubmit=Go

So what's the best writer valuewise, and then which one is the straight up best (I'm assuming the most expensive). Sorry, I know jack all about DVD writers (+/- ??).

I've got an LG and I'm pretty happy with it, even though one really techy review gave it a mediocre-bad review -- I haven't burned any coasters, and that's what I care about.

I would probably go for an LG, NEC or LiteOn burner. I'm sure they'll all serve you well... but I'd lean NEC or LG, personally (I don't know why other than a few slightly unflattering third-hand things I've heard about LiteOn burners).

As for NCIX, I've ordered from them and they seem pretty good. Probably the best prices in Canada, too. In my experience, the customer reviews are fairly good, so you might want to check those out before you order to see how other people like the products they offer.

-SB

 

[SKluck]

Just a slight warning.

The NEC drives really are the best overall writers but they're terrible readers. When I first got my 2510a, it sometimes wouldn't read its own disks even though my Samsung DVD-ROM read them fine and reported 0 errors.

Supposedly the 3500 has much improved reading over the 2510a (which is why I recommend it). I kinda wished I waited just a few months to get one but I don't regret getting the 2510a anyway. I upgraded the firmware and it seems to read all the burns I've made thus far. Great writes and smooth curves when I test using nero's DVDspeed. This is with relatively cheap media too (Ritek G04).

I can vouch for this. If you get an NEC you MUST have another dvd drive. I at first thought there was something wrong with my 2500, but it burns perfectly every single disc I throw at it. It just really sucks at reading.

As has been said Plextor is pretty much the best, but you pay like 30% more for that quality. I still have an 8x cdrw drive that I don't want to get rid of just because it is perfect.

Pioneer is pretty good as well, I don't think anyone has mentioned. LiteOn, Pioneer, Plextor, you can't go wrong. NEC are the cheapest, I'd get that if you have another dvd drive, just in case.

 

[Miburou]

Yeah, definitely look into getting a dual layer writer.

As for me, I bought an LG 8 months ago, and never had any problems, and I've burned a shit-load of discs (mainly DVD-RW and some DVD-R).

 

[deadhorse32]

get a LiteOn there are a lot of hacked patches letting you improve the burner's performance.

I bought for $100 a LiteOn burner in January ( 4x +R -R +RW -RW ) then patch it -> (8X +R 4X -R +RW -RW) and then repatch it as a dual layer writer

VIVA LITEON

 

[The Faceless Master]

Get a LiteOn or a Pioneer drive, like the LiteOn 832S or Pioneer 108

 

[Miburou]

Since you're in Canada, Futureshop has a dual-layer capable LG 12x writer (LG GSA-4120B) for $130 Canadian.

 

[Diablos]

If you don't want dual layer, get a lite-on LDW-451S (http://www.store.yahoo.com/glob2000/frshlilddv4x.html) for $53, and then use hacked firmware to make it 8x. I can help you...

 

[Error Macro]

Plextor 712. Word up. I got mine for ~$130 from NewEgg.com, plus a $30 mail-in rebate. So like 100 bucks. I've always used Plextor.

 

[Takuan]

There's also a LiteOn model that's +-8x writing and also DVD9 capable with a firmware hack. I think it's the 812. Cheap as hell, less than 90 bucks at NCIX.

 

[Diablos]

The only thing that sucks about dual layer capability is that most of them burn at 2.4x. Now some 4x ones are coming out.

But its still like $15 for ONE dual layer disc.

 

[miyuru]

Is the quality of dual-layer burned discs as good as when you burn a single layer?

 

[tenchir]

There's a firmware hack for Liteon 1213s model that enables 16x, 2.4x DL writing capabilities.

It basically flashes the LiteOn 1213s drive into a Sony DRU 710A drive.

 

[RedDwarf]

If you don't want dual layer, get a lite-on LDW-451S (http://www.store.yahoo.com/glob2000/frshlilddv4x.html) for $53, and then use hacked firmware to make it 8x. I can help you...

That worked well by the way, thanks again.