Great DVD Writer bargains (merged threads)

Dalkirst

Isn't the NEC at Dabs a better option?

http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/cdanddvdreaderswriters/dvdwriters/productView.htm?quicklinx=3KNC

abr

the NEC in dabs has a very poor revue

charlie12

Both Pioneer and NEC make good drives.

Ignore the Dabs reviews, if you want proper detailed opinions, read the threads on the CD Freaks forums, tons of info on there:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=113670

btw - anyone deciding to go for the NEC, get it at SVP where it's a little cheaper and you'll get much better customer service:

http://www.blankdiscshop.co.uk/acatalog/Hardware_Section__.html

Better still, wait for their 99p shipping offer and grab a bargain (they usually have this about once a month). This also applies to the Pioneer 109 where it will work out to about £44. If you sign up to their newsletter you'll be notifed of their shipping offers.

amancalledchip

I bought one of these drives as soon as it came out.
had all sorts of problems.

within the last few days, new firmware has become available that resolved all the issues.firmware ver 1.40

i doubt any drive purchased at the moment with be flashed with it.
you will need to do it yourself.( its no drama tho)

go to https://www.pioneer109.com for more info.

its a shame as i have had all pioneer writers to date from the 105 to the 109
the 109 has caused me the most problems.
i agree with charlie12, get it from blankdiscshop ( svp) they have a customer service dept thats the best i have come across.Also if your drive dies, they collect for free.

mzk78

sorry. does it internal or external one? thanks.

charlie12

amancalledchip - I have a 109 too, and did have problems with earlier firmware versions but the latest 1.40 is indeed perfect. Anyone going for one of these drives should definitely update to the latest - it's very straightforward. You can get the update here:

http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/support_software.jsp?category=support/software#fdvdwriter

mzk78- these are internal but you can buy external enclosures for them - check out the SVP link I posted above.

Babbler

Novatec are doing the Samsung dual layer dvd writer for a PC at 19.98 + Delivery

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?SAM-HS552

They have got loads of other DVD writers in the offers They won't last long at those prices!:

Liteon Full Retail Boxed 8x ±R and RW DVD Burner With SoftwarePrice: £23 Ex VAT £27.02 Inc VATOrder Code: LIT-22755...more details

Liteon Full Retail Boxed 4x +R and RW DVD Burner With SoftwarePrice: £19 Ex VAT £22.32 Inc VATOrder Code: LIT-LDW-40...more details

Black NEC ND2500A Dual Format Recorder 8x DVD ±R & RW Price: £25 Ex VAT £29.38 Inc VATOrder Code: NEC-ND250B...more details

OptoRite Full Retail Kit 4x Dual Standard DVD ±R and RW DVD Burner With Software Price: £19 Ex VAT £22.32 Inc VATOrder Code: OPT-DVDR4...more details

Philips DVD Rewriter - 8x Speed - Full RetailPrice: £24 Ex VAT £28.20 Inc VATOrder Code: PHI-DVDR8X...more details

Philips 16x Dual Layer DVD +RW Retail kitPrice: £25 Ex VAT £29.38 Inc VATOrder Code: PHI-DVDRW...more details

Samsung 8x ±R 4x ±RW DVD WriterPrice: £22 Ex VAT £25.85 Inc VATOrder Code: SAM-DVDR8X...more details

Samsung TS-H552B 2.4x Dual Layer 16x DVD +/-R/RW DrivePrice: £17 Ex VAT £19.98 Inc VATOrder Code: SAM-HS552...more details

Sony Beige Silver DRU710 Dual Layer 8x DVD+ & DVD-R Full Retail KitPrice: £20 Ex VAT £23.50 Inc VATOrder Code: SON-DRU710...more details

Sony DVD+RW Drive 2.4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD, 32x CDPrice: £20 Ex VAT £23.50 Inc VATOrder Code: SON-DVDRW...more details

Novatech OEM Dual Format Recorder 4x ±R DVDPrice: £19 Ex VAT £22.32 Inc VATOrder Code: NOV-DVD4XO...more details

NCW_2

I think there are some experts here who might be able to help me with a query ...
My son's Dell computer (4700) does not have a DVD drive and I would like to buy one for his birthday. Now, we're not very technical in this house and have no idea what would be the best for a 11 year old boy at a reasonable price. It will need to be black. I have read this thread but sadly have no idea what dual thread and 8x and 16x mean. My son's most immediate priority is just watching DVDs on his PC.
I would really appreciate some advice.
Many thanks
NCW

Rave

NCW- if you just want to watch DVDs then all you need is a "DVD-Rom" drive, these start at about £14:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=UFNQcm9kdWN0U2VhcmNoUmVzdWx0cw%3D%3D&order_col=sell_price&order=ASC&subcat_uid=182

For a bit more, you can get a 'combo' drive, which can play DVDs and also burn CDs:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=UFNQcm9kdWN0U2VhcmNoUmVzdWx0cw%3D%3D&order_col=sell_price&order=ASC&subcat_uid=656

Then starting at about £30 you can get a DVD burner which will play DVDs and CDs, and also record both DVDs and CDs:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=UFNQcm9kdWN0U2VhcmNoUmVzdWx0cw%3D%3D&order_col=sell_price&order=ASC&subcat_uid=183

Before anyone jumps in, Ebuyer have a questionable reputation for customer service, I just linked there for ease (I've never had a real problem with them myself).

Hope that helps.

redfox

NCW, if all he wants to do is read DVDs (as in playing DVD games or watching films) then this one in black should do the job for not too much outlay

DVD writers are a different thing in that you can create your own DVDs but that is probably not what he needs. The thread here is mainly about the DVD writers.