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Topic: DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ? (Read 5562 times) previous topic - next topic
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DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Hi folks,

I just decided to get myself a DVD writer besides a new PC enclosure within the next 2 weeks ... my needs (if I may say so) are the following:

* +/- compatibility is a must
* 4x speed is high enough for me
* 150€ for the retail version is my price limit (I do not buy bulk versions)
* writing quality on good media is my paramount object
* DAE capabilities or CD/DVD read performance is of rather low interest

So far, the NEC ND1300A and the LG GSA4040R (the Plextor 708A looks to be a very tempting drive but I'm not willing to pay that much for it) are my two options and since I do not trust benchmarks that much (both drives recieved good reviews), I would like to know if anyone has some experience with these drives ...

Regards, Sven
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #1 –
Hi Sven,

I own the LG GSA4040 and I'm quite happy with it despite a there is a little flaw.

It burns only a few medias certified with 4x at this speed.
Updating firmware is recommend.
But It burns all medias I used till now with good quality, cheap media too.

The NEC seems to me a little bit out of date.

Plex 708A is surely the best if you can afford it, but I was the same opinion as you: Too much money for a DVD burner.

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #2 –
Also consider the Pioneer A06U. A little more costly, but should be within your price range if you have a good dealer. Has also received excellent reviews. I was planning to get the LG GSA-4040B but decided on the Pioneer instead.

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #3 –
is there a special reason why you didn't buy the LG Burner? Because i have decided to buy a DVD Burner like JeanLuc in the next few weeks and i thought about buying the LG one...
 

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #4 –
I'll also buy a DVD writer. I've read some good reviews about LiteOn's LDW-411S DVD writer. It supports +/-. I have a LiteOn DVD player and a CDRW, and I'm happy with the performance. Well, they aren't that good on C2 error correction... but that was of low interest, so... Plus they are incredibly cheap here in sweden

Club CD Freaks have a LiteOn Forum where you can read up a little:

LiteOn Forum

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #5 –
I've no major complaints about my NEC1300A apart from not being all that good with scratched CD's and absoloute rubbish with copy protected CDs. Although, it's DAE is the fastest I've seen.

I say no major complaints, as I have 2 Plextor's to combat the copy protected/scratched CD problems.
daefeatures.co.uk

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #6 –
Quote
Well, they aren't that good on C2 error correction ...

cdrinfo.com states this issue differently - LiteOn CDRW drives show highest C2 accuracy values which makes them near-perfect partners for EAC ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #7 –
I have LG 4040B and am very happy with it!

It's audio extraction speed is reasonable but not astounding however as a writer it is great.  Especially after upgrading the BIOS, before that it is too fussy about media.

Even then I would recommend the Ritek G04 media such as the clonedisk these always burn at 4x and are great value for money.  I got mine from www.dvd-and-media.com

Check it out, great disks at a good price!

Cheers,
Fairy

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #8 –
I just visited cdfreaks.com (they got a review on the LG 4040B) ... writing quality is ... erm ... shitty, to say the least ... :/
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #9 –
I've bought my Pioneer DVR-A06 a few month ago, and I#m pretty happy with it. It seems to be one of the best DVD Burner atm, even if it only burns 4x. It's reliable and it never made any problems.

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #10 –
I think I'll ditch DVD-RAM and go for a Litey 411 (or 811 since it costs only 20€ more) which seem to be much more compatible with different media types ... LG hasn't even released a new firmware since October although the problems seem to be very obvious (don't know if k-probe gives back serious results with an LG drive, though) ... according to cdfreaks.com, there is only one (!) type of media that seems to work well with the LG (Taiyo Yuden DVD-R) with low PI/PO rates that would satisfy my quality demands ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #11 –
Sony DRX-500ULX external (FW/USB2)...very nice. I think the 510 has superceded it by now.

xen-uno
No one can be told what Ogg Vorbis is...you have to hear it for yourself
- Morpheus

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #12 –
Definitely skip the LG.  According to cdrlabs, it is not acceptable as a ripping drive (although that might not be in your interests.)  FYI, if you're in the USA, Circuit City will be selling the Lite-On LDW-411S for $89.99 after rebates in the next few days.  That's when I'm going to get one...

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #13 –
But can you truly rely on only one test or review?

I can mention a test from the german magazine Chip.

They claim that the LG GSA-4040 drive has a good compatibilty with different medias, (they tested 20 different medias).

They did also a error scan of written medias on a professional DVD test device.


I post a link to (the german article) as PDF (in ZIP file):

http://www.chip.de/downloads/c_downloads_10985047.html

Click on Low-Speed Download (You have to pay for High-Speed Download)
and follow the link with the three arrows at the end, then click on Download-Server.

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #14 –
The Plextor drive is very nice but like you said probably beyond your price range.  The Pioneer is also nice drive (it's about to be replaced by the A07 untroducing 8x burning).

Question? Is there any particular reason you won't buy OEM drives, they're cheaper (you don't need manuals for optical drives surely) and you not getting an inferior drive.

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #15 –
Quote
Question? Is there any particular reason you won't buy OEM drives, they're cheaper (you don't need manuals for optical drives surely) and you not getting an inferior drive.

OEM drives are often shipped without proper protection from packaging so this is a point for me ... additionally, I'd like to get a cable, screws, software (!) and some media (there is a DVD-RAM included when e.g. buying the LG Retail version) for a start so when you count it down, Retail packages are not necessarily more expensive than OEM/bulk versions (the LG OEM is 15€ cheaper when being compared to the retail package).

A second argument is that I've experienced many times that serious problems occur more often with OEM drives, OEM graphics cards and other hardware ... additionally, you have a matching packaging if there is any warranty issue and you want to send back the drive ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #16 –
Within that price range I would definitely go with the Pioneer A06 or the Lite-On 411s. Between the choices you presented I would choose the NEC drive. Mainly because the fact that the LG drive was a bit bashed in the cdfreaks review.

cya

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #17 –
Quote
Within that price range I would definitely go with the Pioneer A06 or the Lite-On 411s. Between the choices you presented I would choose the NEC drive. Mainly because the fact that the LG drive was a bit bashed in the cdfreaks review.

cya

That's why I made this post actual ... my decision was to go for the LG until I read of the cdfreaks' review ... there have been other reviews for the LG that could not confirm the cdfreaks' results, though ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

DVD-Burner needed ... any recommendations ?

Reply #18 –
Im a pretty owner of Plextor PX 708. So far it kicks the ass. It cost more than your budget is (i've bought it for 220 EUR), but it was worth it. One thing i missed, that it hadnt no media bundled in the package.

LG is also good.