Which DVD RW Drive should I buy?

overworked_underpaid

I am looking to buy a DVD-RW Drive for my PC. I would preferably like an external drive, if I can get hold of a cheap one. Is there a particular brand that is better than others, or are all of them the same. I have noticed some of the more expensive ones are "dual layer" but I am not sure what this does. Should I be aware of any other features that the drive should have?

hobo28

dual layer (DL) means it can write 9GB to DVD media which is also DL.

To be honest, they're all pretty much the same nowadays.

Most will now have dual layer, dual format (ie. + & -) and have buffer underrun technology. Look for those and you pretty much can't go wrong

OriginalDon

If you want to print labels on your disks, their is a feature called lightscribe. The disks do cost more though as with Dual Layer Disks.

With regards to the main players in that market I would say Benq and NEC. Dual layer drives is pretty much a standard feature.

Donnie

Expect to pay around £50 or less.

marty1888

Pioneer 111 is the dogs

F1F1

I've just got <not yet installed!> a new DVD writer with Lightscribe from Dabs. I decided on a Lightscribe drive after hearing about it from an aquaintance who works with computers. With a Lightscribe drive you write to your DVD then turn it over and it can create an image <and/or text> directly onto the surface of the DVD. It must be Lightscribe media to do this, although you can use ordinary DVDs as normal as well. My LG drive was £24.26 incl VAT from Dabs.

If you do a search on this <MES> site, you'll find info on DVD writers and also Lightscribe technology.

http://www.lightscribe.com/

http://www.lightscribe.com/gettingstarted/index.aspx?id=277

Donnie

F1F1 wrote:

I've just got <not yet installed!> a new DVD writer with Lightscribe from Dabs. I decided on a Lightscribe drive after hearing about it from an aquaintance who works with computers. With a Lightscribe drive you write to your DVD then turn it over and it can create an image <and/or text> directly onto the surface of the DVD. It must be Lightscribe media to do this, although you can use ordinary DVDs as normal as well. My LG drive was £24.26 incl VAT from Dabs.

If you do a search on this <MES> site, you'll find info on DVD writers and also Lightscribe technology.

http://www.lightscribe.com/

http://www.lightscribe.com/gettingstarted/index.aspx?id=277

At that price it's likely to be an internal drive.

browolf

I've always had LG writers (at work too) and never had a problem; seem to be able to do everything. Very reliable.
dual layer disks are still pretty pricey. Unless you've got a specific reason for getting them might as well use around 5 single layer ones for the same price.

jampton

I've had pioneers all the way from 104 to 111 and never had a problem

wonderfullife_2

Hi
Have a look here at svp, very reasonable prices, although external drives are always dearer than internal ones, (very easy to fit, only takes a couple of mins) I always buy NEC drives myself, good build, quality, and from here you could also get your discs.

http://svp.co.uk/products-list.php?cid=86

F1F1

Donnie wrote:

At that price it's likely to be an internal drive.

Yes, sorry - should have made it clear that mine is an internal one! I was more concerned with mentioning the Lightscribe facility, which you can get <I believe!> whether external or internal.