your COMBO drive choice

[IceX]

Hello everyone.
J have been reading reviews and forum opinions for COMBO drives (CDRW/DVD-ROM) these days but still don't know what to buy.

Nobody sells Liteon drives here and personally j would buy the TEAC DW-548D (48X24X48X16) drive, but they are ALL SOLD OUT so j'm limited to these drives:

SAMSUNG SM-352B (52X24X52X16)

SONY CRX300E (48X24X48X16)

LG 4480B (48X24X48X16)

LG 4520B (52X24X52X16)

Short list, j know but HELP ME CHOOSE.

[TheWizard]

Interestingly enough, the Sony CRX300E may, in fact, be a Lite-On drive. Don't quote me on that, but if Sony's choice for CD-RW burners is any indication, then the CRX300E will definitely be a Lite-On. To put it another way, all Sony CD-RW burners have been rebadged Lite-On burners. So, it's possible that the Sony combo drive is also a Lite-On.

As for the other choices, I've always been an LG fan. Neither the GCC-4480B nor GCC-4520B will let you down; both are good drives. And as for the Samsung SM-352B, well, Samsung combos have been touted as some of the best in the business. You won't be disappointed with the SM-352B. Heck, even if you get a slightly older Samsung combo, like the SM-348B, you won't be disappointed either.

If I was in your shoes, I would weigh the other factors; price being an important factor for me. Since I know I can't go wrong with either drive, I would go for the least expensive one. But that's just me, perhaps price is not important to you. If price was not a concern, I would get the Samsung. Why? Because their combo drives are very cool, and because I never owned a Samsung drive before. But that's just me.

[dolphinius_rex]

It's inconclusive so far as to whether the Sony CRX300a is a LiteON or not, but they look exactly the same, weigh exactly the same, and have exactly the same dimensions....

[Bhairav]

They ARE the same!

[steelly]

I purchased the Samsung 352B retail package. It came with a 8MB buffer and Nero 5.5 burning software. I also got Power DVD (Version 4) bundled with the drive. I use this combo drive in conjuction with my Plextor 708A and they are a great team. Samsung 352B also supports Mt. Rainer in CD-R and reads DVD Ram. There is a great review of this drive here on CDR-Labs and also at CD Freaks. I found several recommendations at this site and bought the drive for $55 bucks, so price is of little concern.
Samsung 352B is a great product!

[IceX]

The Samsung is 60$ and the LG is 63$, the price isn't a problem at all.
J will consult the dealers if they are bulk or retail and choose one that will do the job.

BTW if j buy the LG 52x24x52x16 j will do a home review and post it to see how it compares to other drives.

Thank you guys for your posts.

[dodecahedron]

the Lite-On LTC-48161H goes for about $55.
the Lite-On SOHC-5232K goes for about $60.

[vsekh]

Your going to have a hard time burning CDs at 52x with the samsung combo. I would recommend one of the Liteon combo drives in dodecahedron's post.

[wicked1]

Your going to have a hard time burning CDs at 52x with the samsung combo. I would recommend one of the Liteon combo drives in dodecahedron's post.

I have a samsung 352B and hes right. Most discs top out at 48X instead of 52X but it is an excellent drive all around other that that. Reads all dvd formats well.

[CDRecorder]

I recommend the Sony combo drive, too.

[vsekh]

Question on the Sony combo.

Do you have to turn on Turbo mode by pressing the eject button for about 3 seconds before the door opens everytime to burn at 52x speed or is this used only to read at 52x speed?

[cfitz]

Only for reading. Discs to be written are assumed to be brand new and free of any damage, and thus safe to spin at top speed.

cfitz

[wicked1]

if the Sony is a Liteon you can flash it with liteons firmare and rid yourself of this nusance.