DVD Writer for PC

blinky

Normally means No cables, no software

Rave

....and that it'll come in a plain bag or box, no fancy retail packaging.

tryingtosave_3

I'm running xp sp2, on a Dell machine. I've got a spare "space" for another drive, but I don't think I have cables ... plus I definitely don't have Nero or similar. The machine only has a CD writer (Dell bargain from a month or three back).

If I buy a drive only unit, like the LG on ebuyer, it looks to me like I'll need a IDE cable, plus Nero. Doesn't this add another £40 (Nero is $60, plus, what £5 for a cable?), not really making it all a good deal - at least not for someone without software/cables?

Looks to me like I'm better off with the BenQ ("retail kit") or something from Amazon? Am I missing something!?

wolfman

An ide cable costs next to nothing (few quid) and you may even have a spare connector on your current cable.

Version of Nero v6 can be bought for around £5, look on https://www.microdirect.co.uk or eBay for an OEM version. Alcohol 120% is another great alternative to Nero.

tryingtosave_3

Thanks Woflman; but it looks like for £10 more you can get the retail kit for the LG, also from ebuyer.

It'll weigh in at close to the cable/nero costs (factoring in postage ...) and is probably easier for someone who's not hugely comfortable poking around in the innards of his pc!

ChrisB_4

I recommend Plextor - their drives are traditionally very good. Although when I did have one failure (my own) their returns policy was superb - they sent me a new drive immediately from just the serial number, arrived from Belgium by courier in just a couple of days. Very impressed.

Profit margins are very low these days, so expect poor life expectancy from cheaper drives - I see CD writers failing in months not years - disks not working in other drives and only the burner drive, usually the first signs.

wolfman

tryingtosave wrote:

Thanks Woflman; but it looks like for £10 more you can get the retail kit for the LG, also from ebuyer.

It'll weigh in at close to the cable/nero costs (factoring in postage ...) and is probably easier for someone who's not hugely comfortable poking around in the innards of his pc!

Oh, didn't realise it was only £10 more. Go for that then. Also you mentioned the Benq, their latest drive (DW1640) is very good too. The LG should do you fine though.

With regards to Plextor (PX740), true they are very good, the "rolls royce" of cd/dvd drives. Slightly more expensive though and from the tests I've read the LG outperforms it fractionally. Another worthy make to consider though.

Coldon

try here

https://www.blankdiscshop.co.uk

Coldon