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External DVD writer

post #1 of 81
7/29/04 at 3:29am
Thread Starter 
Hi

I am looking for an external DVD writer. I was going to get an HP 420e, but since HP have taken more than a month I have decided to look elsewhere.

I am looking for one that supports all DVD+-RW. I would like dual layer writing abilities, but not nessecary. I would like support for USB 2.0 and Firewire. I'd use Firewire more often though.

I was told to look at this Memorex D2:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1620628,00.asp

What do you guys think? Is there anything better out soon? I don't want to wait more than a month unless nessecary. And I'm looking at about $220. The Memorex is $229.

Thanks for all help in advance.
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post #2 of 81
7/29/04 at 3:56am
NEC ND-2510A 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Silver: $73.99 w/free shipping (NewEgg).

Plumax Silver Combo USB 2.0 & Firewire External Enclosure: $32.99 plus $5.95 shipping (DealSonic).

Plumax Silver Combo USB 2.0 with better Oxford 911 Firewire Chipset External Enclosure: $41.99 with $5.95 shipping (DealSonic).

Your total cost: $112.93 or $121.93

FWIW, I have the NEC 2500A (Single Layer) with that exact Plumax enclosure, but USB only, with 100+ successful burns.
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post #3 of 81
7/29/04 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 
I was considering that option, but the Memorex looks much better! It burns CD-R at 48x compared to 30x, DVD+R at 16x compared to 8x, etc. It also seems to be able to burn the first layer of a DL at 16x then only the second layer at 2.4x, whereas the NEC burns the whole disk at 2.4x.

I like the fatc that the Memorex will last a lot longer, since I've only seen 4x disks here in South Africa.

The NEC is a lot cheaper, which makes it tempting.

I would be getting it through my aunt in London. She will post it to me. I feel safer that way. I don't like sending credit card numbers over the internet.
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post #4 of 81
7/29/04 at 12:24pm
Thread Starter 
Do these DVD writers (Memorex and NEC, etc) require an external power supply?
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post #5 of 81
7/29/04 at 12:28pm
Yes, of course they require an external power supply. I think i forgot something. If those dvd writers that you talk about are external, then yes, they need an external power supply.
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post #6 of 81
7/29/04 at 12:31pm
Thread Starter 
So they can't run of the laptop's power supply then?
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post #7 of 81
7/29/04 at 12:33pm
Nope, they need so much power that the laptop cant provide it.
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post #8 of 81
7/29/04 at 12:35pm
What power supply? Definitely not USB power, <500 mAh I believe.
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post #9 of 81
7/29/04 at 12:36pm
Thread Starter 
That could be a problem then. I want to buy one from London, but I am in South Africa.
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post #10 of 81
7/29/04 at 12:38pm
Thread Starter 
What about off 4-pin Firewire?
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post #11 of 81
7/29/04 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 
Bump
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post #12 of 81
7/29/04 at 1:53pm
You mean if the dvd writer can get power through firewire? Answer is no. Still need external power supply.
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post #13 of 81
7/29/04 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 
Is it possible to run it off internal (laptop) power at a slower speed when on the move?
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post #14 of 81
7/29/04 at 2:00pm
Im sure that it is not possible.
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post #15 of 81
7/29/04 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
But then how do internal laptop drives work off the internal power. Is it just because USB/Firewire don't provide much power?
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post #16 of 81
7/29/04 at 2:26pm
All the exturnal housing should come with their own PSU.
The Memorex D2 is based on the Pioneer A08XL burner.
So far these Pioneer based drive reach 16x near the last 80% of the burn. But 4x DL burnin'
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post #17 of 81
7/29/04 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
All the exturnal housing should come with their own PSU.
Does that mean that you can run them without an external power source?

Quote:
The Memorex D2 is based on the Pioneer A08XL burner.
So far these Pioneer based drive reach 16x near the last 80% of the burn. But 4x DL burnin'
But the Memorex burns 2.4x DL - 16x for the first layer, 2.4x for the second.

Is the Memorex a good external drive - or are there better ones?
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post #18 of 81
7/29/04 at 4:07pm
Thread Starter 
Can anyone confirm that the Memorex D2 is based on the Pionees A08XL?
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post #19 of 81
7/29/04 at 5:16pm
Sorry I read your post to quick...The ASUS DRW-1604P is based on the Pioneer that version of Memorex D2 is not they do Have a version which is based on the Pioneer. I'll try and hook you up with the dirt on these drives....
No the units will need their psu pluged in for you to be able to use them.And if you PC has firewire go for this as it eat's up less CPU then USB2 and faster too.
At the moment I have 1x200GB FW HDD, 3 DVD BURNERS FW/USB2, 1DVD rom FW/USB2, 1CDRW FW all run on FW (Firewire) and a 9in1 card reader usb2 running on my notebook very happy.
16X media is not to common at the moment.
all DVD burners are 8x -+. Take's me 15 to 25mins to rip and shrink a 7/8.5 GB movie then 8mins to burn it to disc...
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post #20 of 81
7/29/04 at 5:27pm
Well, optical drives draw way too much power for a low-powered FireWire port, let alone a USB 2.0 port.

BUT if you laptop has a PS/2 port, you can use it for feeding power to the drive given it supports this power stealing feature.
Lacie has one.
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?id=10104

When I keep my DVD spinning, the battery on my PowerBook G4 cut by half.
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