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Some advice

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2005 12:43 pm
by Hunter5411
I know quite a bit about computers but frankly speaking know very little about dvd drives. I avoided the topic from the get go because they seemed ludicusly priced, slow and unrelaible. Those days seem to have passed and now im looking at getting one and need some advice from people who know what there talkign about.

im using it for (in order)
1) burning videos from mpegs, avis, ect
2) burning data discs
3) ripping and backing up dvds

Im looking at these models (in no order)

1)LG GSA-4163B
2) pioneer dvr-109
3) NEC ND-3520A
4) BenQ DW1625

the qualities i want (in this order are)
1) writing reliablity (less screw ups)
2) media flexiablity (more variety i can use)
3) price
4) wrting speed
4) reading speed

The questions i have are:
1) are the more expensive modles worth it? Of course the more expensive ones are better but will the lower end ones do me fine? basically if i cant afford the 100$ modle am i wasting my money?

2) if i use good discs how many scew ups should i expect...1 out of 50? 1 out of 10? i have no idea

3) will the lower end ones on my list be less likly to play on my dvd player?


If anyone could help me out i would be much abliged. Im broke right now so i want to get somthing reasonably priced but dont want to scew myself over in the long run. If waiting a few months for the relaible ones to come to down then i can do that. but it seems like some of the ones on my list seem rialble and cheap

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2005 12:51 pm
by dodecahedron
i don't understand why you have the BenQ 1625 on your list.
it's a newer drive with LightScribe, which you probably won't use (expnesive media). it's new so we don't know yet quite how good it is.
the BenQ 1620 is a good drive and reasonably priced, the price might even go down further because of the newer versions (1625, 1640).

the NEC 3520 is also an excellent drive.

the Pioneer, NEC and BenQ are all good drives with good burn quality. the LG might be a little worse.

have you read the reviews? most of these drives have been reviewed on this site.

Don't be cheap: You get what you pay for!

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2005 12:57 pm
by steelly
I have owned the Plextor 708A & 712A and am a satisfied,
lifetime customer! The 716A has had three hardware revisions
and is still being upgraded with firmware upgrades.
The Plextor 716A comes with Plextools, and this is great
software for controlling your drive and testing your DVD
burns. Don't be cheap; check out the reviews of this drive
here and at CDFreaks.com. Research the forums and then
you will buy a reliable drive: The Plextor 716A with Plextools
and Nero 6 for burning!

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2005 2:10 pm
by Ian
dodecahedron wrote:have you read the reviews? most of these drives have been reviewed on this site.


All of them have been. Okay.. not the DVR-109.. but we reviewed the DVR-A09. :wink:

Going by your list of needs, I'd recommend the DW1620. It's a better choice than the DW1625 if you don't need LightScribe.

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2005 5:17 pm
by dolphinius_rex
Ian wrote:
dodecahedron wrote:have you read the reviews? most of these drives have been reviewed on this site.


All of them have been. Okay.. not the DVR-109.. but we reviewed the DVR-A09. :wink:

Going by your list of needs, I'd recommend the DW1620. It's a better choice than the DW1625 if you don't need LightScribe.


I agree on all points! :D