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I'm in the market for a new DVD drive. I've searched the forums here and read the reviews I could find, but none seemed help much.

So I'm looking for recommendation. I'd like to get a reliable drive that plays/rips DVDs well.

Here's the list I'm considering, please feel free to add to this list (this is just what they had on newegg)

LITE-ON XJ-HD166S 35$
MSI MS-8216 35$
Pioneer DVD-120S 49$
Pioneer DVD-120 43$
TOSHIBA SD M-1712 44$
SONY DDU1621(DDU1611) 42$

I was leaning towards the Lite-on, but it really doesn't matter to me, as long as it works well.

Thanks!

H

Also, I'm trying to move the folks into the '90s and get them a stand alone DVD player, any sugestions (brands, models, etc.)

Get the Lite-On. You can't beat $35 for a DVD-ROM that does a good job of what your looking for. My second choice would be the Pioneer drives.

As for the standalone DVD player. I would highly recommend Pioneer. Their players will handle just about any media you throw at it from DVD's, VCD's, CD-R's, CD-RW's, and DVD rewritable disc.

Here's two very useful links
http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdplayers
http://dvdplusrw.org/resources/compatib ... video.html

If you want cheap but nice video get a Cyberhome 500 progressive scan for 79 bucks. If you want cheap + completely hackable get something like a Apex, Sampo 631, memorex 2828? etc.
If you want very nice video, audio and progesive scan get a Sony ns 715.
I've had a Pioneer 525 and it was outstanding video quality wise but it had no extra features but cdr playback. The newer ones have much better features now and probably just as good playbck quality I would imagine but they aren't easily hackable/upgradable as far as I know.
I have 4 dvd players for home as of now so I've been through a few
I also second getting a 166s DVD for the box. Mine has worked great and does stuff the earlier 163 I had can't touch.