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It looks like NewEgg has 2 different versions of the LG 4167 burner. From reading the specs, it looks like one can only READ DVD-RAM and the other can both read and write.

Given how Newegg never responds to my emails, and I know sometimes their systems get a bit confused, has anyone heard of 2 different versions of the 4167, with and without DVD-RAM writing capability?

[I ask as the one that doesn't say it can write DVD-RAM is $37.99 right now which is an amazing price...]

LG's website doesn't indicate 2 different versions.

looks like Newegg's website is a mess

link

4 variants of GSA-4167B.
2 are BG (beige) 2 are BK (black)
2 are OEM and 2 are OEM-OEM (wtf ?)
out of all 4, only 1 has DVD-RAM listed in the specs. BTW that same one the does have DVD-RAM doesn't seem to have CD-ROM or DVD-ROM !
2 of the 4 have DVD-R DL and the other 2 don't

well well...

i can't believe there's such a thing as GSA-4167B without DVD-RAM. if they had a non-DVD-RAM model it would have a different model number (maybe GRA- or something).

Ever since the CEO of Newegg stepped down, things have not seemed to be running as smoothly. That was also visible in the quick retraction of plans to expand into Canada before the end of the year.

I think Newegg might be messed up in many more ways then just one!!

For some reason Newegg creates a new stock number when they get a new batch of drives. They did the same thing with the DW1640 and it confused the hell out of people.

As far as the specs go, I'm sure its just a typo as there is only one version of the 4167. Well two.. if you count the different colored bezels.

Hrrrm, thanks all. It's so tempting, I just wish I could trust Newegg to NOT have gotten some weird semi-defective batch of 4167s with DVD-RAM disabled..

Here's another example of Newegg's typos. They have the ASUS DRW-1608P2 listed and say that it can read/write to DVD-RAM at 5x:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827135043

The DRW-1608P2S supports DVD-RAM writing but the DRW-1608P2 can only read it and then its only at 3x.

http://www.asus.com.tw/products4.aspx?l ... odelmenu=1

Hi guys.

Newegg's site has been screwed up for days. I was looking for a RAM writer myself a couple of days ago and everything, every piece of hardware, was shown as being out of stock.

Does anyone know which manufacturers are currently shipping RAM writers to North America?

bill wrote:Does anyone know which manufacturers are currently shipping RAM writers to North America?

Currently you can get the LG GSA-4167B and BenQ DQ60 through places like Newegg. The NEC ND-4550A is being sold by Mad Dog but I have yet to find it anywhere else in the US. I haven't seen the Pioneer DVR-110 either. I'm sure it is available in the US, but manufacturers seem to be unable to differentiate between the 110 and 110D.

Ian wrote:

bill wrote:Does anyone know which manufacturers are currently shipping RAM writers to North America?

Currently you can get the LG GSA-4167B and BenQ DQ60 through places like Newegg. The NEC ND-4550A is being sold by Mad Dog but I have yet to find it anywhere else in the US. I haven't seen the Pioneer DVR-110 either. I'm sure it is available in the US, but manufacturers seem to be unable to differentiate between the 110 and 110D.

Thanks, Ian!

I located a Mad Dog/NEC 4550 at Circuit City for $60... makes me sick to think of supporting Mad Dog!

Anyway, primarily looking to add another RAM capable drive for data back up and ram reading ability that compliments the 4167B in another rig. The DQ60 doesn't appear to have much if any firmware support. Has anyone heard of any problems with the NEC 4550A? I ask because I can't wait for a new product release.



BTW, maybe you can get me up to date.. Is the Asus DRW-1608P2S a Pioneer?

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bill wrote:Has anyone heard of any problems with the NEC 4550A? I ask because I can't wait for a new product release.

I have yet to hear a good reason for these spikes: http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=20722

bill wrote:BTW, maybe you can get me up to date.. Is the Asus DRW-1608P2S a Pioneer?

The DRW-1608P2 and DRW-1608P2S are both Pioneers.

Ian wrote:

bill wrote:Has anyone heard of any problems with the NEC 4550A? I ask because I can't wait for a new product release.

I have yet to hear a good reason for these spikes: http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=20722

Jeez, I missed that thread.

I'll go ahead and get the Mad Dog today. I'm curious if I can duplicate what you've found. But, if there is no problem with the RAM writing I'll keep it.

Thanks for all the good help!

I answered my own question (I think). Newegg had the cheaper 4167 for $38.99 a few days ago and free shipping so I gambled. I just got it Friday and with the holiday madness haven't hooked it up but it says it's a Super MultiDrive Recorder, so it looks like I'm good to go with DVD-RAM. I nearly got a Pioneer 110D from BB but decided I didn't want to mess with tweaking OEM firmware when the main reason I wanted it was DVD-RAM (I.e., if there was a reason DVD-RAM was disabled [poorer quality or something] I'd be screwed). Plus my 4163 in another machine rocks.

It even came with the official LG software bundle CD...! (too weird...) It's all old versions of stuff but I thought it was funny.

Justin42 wrote:It even came with the official LG software bundle CD...! (too weird...) It's all old versions of stuff but I thought it was funny.

You made out better than I did about six weeks ago. Peanuts is all that came in the box with my 4167B order. That could be some of the reason for the two different item numbers at Newegg.

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I hope you got a drive too.

My really limited tests show it to be a fully functional, DVD-RAM supporting 4167. I've only scanned one DVD+R but it looked good. I'm not 100% sure it is properly bitsetting (I'm using Alex Noe's utility), DVD Identifier shows DVD+R as the booktype on the burned disc but a DVD player I have that refuses to play ANY +R media [unless bitset] played the disc fine. PlexTools doesn't show any info about the disc once burned, though, so that usually means it's bitset. Pretty cool deal, really!