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I'm looking for a 16x DVD-ROM, but CD performance doesn't matter for me.
It will be: Lite-on,
LG,
Toshiba,
Pioneer,
Cyberdrive or
Asus
Lite-on and LG are my favourites you will select the best drives.
Performance and loudness is important, and Media Compatibility is the most important criteria.

So far, I have tried Liteon 163D & 166s, Pioneer DVD-120 and Toshiba M1712. Right now, I have the Toshiba. It's quite quiet when compare with Liteon or Pioneer. But one thing is that both Pioneer and Toshiba can't seem to read multisession DVD media, only the Liteon 163D and 166s can.

Otherwise, the Toshiba with patched firmware, can read DVD-+R/RW very well!

hi,
i have the above item just come available,
it is in very good working condition.
this toshiba is a very good reader and fast too.
i have just upgraded for a combo.

dell.

I love my LTD-163D. It reads DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW, despite what Nero InfoTool says. It is rather quiet, I think.

For quiet operation i would go for Toshiba . Lite-On is good too and cheaper but it is one of the louder DVD-ROM drive at high speeds ( go for it if price does matter more than noise ) . Don't go for LG ( it is not a performing DVD-ROM drive ) .

Also for the Pioneer, the drive does get quite hot after about 10 minutes of use (say playing an audio CD).

LG, Pioneer, Cyberdrive and Asus are eliminated.
Now write for Lite-on and Toshiba. But I like Toshiba's design more than Lite-on's. I think, I buy Toshiba. Is it good at reading home-pressed Data DVDs.
And which is the best in reading scratched DVDs?

And one question remains: What is the differance between Box and OEM, do I go for box completely. Is performance or quality decrease will appear? because you know, price is very low at OEM(Bulk). I'm not interested in DVD programs, manuals, DVDs which comes with Box. I'm looking for main device quality.

I know the Lite-On can read well scratched DVD ( rental DVD in example ) and i assume the Toshiba can do it in an equal way or better .
I have no info on Data DVD ( both are able to read DVD+R/+RW and DVD-R/-RW if that is what you want to know ) .
Few optical drives manufacturers make a difference with OEM and BOX products . Toshiba drives are only sold as OEM . Lite-On OEM drives are the same than BOX drives except that there is not headphone jack in front and no play/forward button to hear audio cd ( perhaps there is Liteon OEM drives with headphone jack and play/forward button , in the doubt i would go for BOX if these features matter ) .
The Lite-On OEM and BOX drives seems to have the same internal hardware and the same quality ( i have not checked it but since they have the same Firmware .... ) .


You can read my Lite-On DVD-ROM drive test for more information . Toshiba is an excellent choice ( in my mind the better choice ) .

There's no difference between OEM or BOX Toshiba drive.

vbl117 wrote:Toshiba is an excellent choice ( in my mind the better choice ) .

i would like to know why.
do you have the Toshiba drive too? which model?

The only reason that that OEM Lite-ON drive had no headphone jack or play button was because it was meant for a specific reseller like HP or Compaq maybe. Newegg got a hold of these somehow and sold them as OEM. There is rarely any hardware difference between OEM and Retail (boxed) drives.

dodecahedron wrote:

vbl117 wrote:Toshiba is an excellent choice ( in my mind the better choice ) .

i would like to know why.
do you have the Toshiba drive too? which model?

No , i have not . Toshiba drives provide quiet operation , best protection copying ( perhaps i have said it was Lite-On in my test , if i have done it i was wrong and it was a big fault , i ll check it , it is difficult for me now to check and update my website ) , perhaps cd audio ripping is limited ( i don't know and i don't have time to check it ) .

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Article ... l3&index=2

( i assume it remains true when comparing 166S and SD-M1712 ) .
And yes for some tests i trust CDR-INFO .

Yes i have changed my mind about Toshiba ( on some tests it is not said that Pioneer drives are kept quiet by using a software utility limiting the drive speed for example ) .

( edited because i had misunderstood Dodecahedron , if you have read the first post don't worry Dodecahedron , i edited it just after coming back with my car , wind has refreshed my mind thought i'll not drive as fast the 364 other days . I'll quit this forum for some time ) .

dhc014 wrote:The only reason that that OEM Lite-ON drive had no headphone jack or play button was because it was meant for a specific reseller like HP or Compaq maybe. Newegg got a hold of these somehow and sold them as OEM. There is rarely any hardware difference between OEM and Retail (boxed) drives.

ok

I've been in holiday a while(so I write this in a internet cafe).
I've make my choice, My selection is Toshiba M1712. Everyone talks exellently about it. Thanks for everyone who helps to select best DVD-ROM for my req.ments.