Best DVD writer

[punisher46]

Whats the best DVD writer to go for:

Looking ta the following:

NEC 3520a
Liteon 1653s
Pionner 108

Any recommendations. I like the sound of the pioneer but 32x write speeds puts me off. I've currently have a liteon cd writer and this has been perfect, although I heard bad reports about the early liteon dvd writers.....

TIA

[D'Ohnut]

I don't think there is a 'best' as it depends on what type of discs you want to use, cos they all do different speeds on different media.

I have the pioneer 108, upgraded from a 2yr old 105 that is still going strong, just needed DVD-RAM support on my PC for my panasonic DVD recorder for TV programs, plus it is dual layer, 16x and DVD+/- format.

Why does 32x write put you off though?? It only does CDs at this speed. DVD is max of 16x but reading various reviews it only manages real 16x at the very end of the disc, plus there isn't (m)any 16x discs on the market yet.

D

[hxbro]

I purchased a liteon 1633 (manufactured sept 04) in december a few weeks later it stopped reading/writing cd's, looking at various forums other people had the same problem.

I've had it replaced with a 1653 (manufactured oct 04) and so far no problems - the 1653 is apparently a 1633 with newer firmware. It may of been a problem with the batch but in my opinion I'd stay away from the liteon just in case.

If I had the choice now, I'd have gone with a nec but when I was buying it I didn't have the choice.

[punisher46]

1653 is the one I've been looking at. I still do a lot of CD writing hence I would like a good speed although I already have a 52x speed so I can just use that...

[shenbop]

I'm also looking at getting a dvd writer, just been browsing really and found thisLG GSA-4163BA at Microdirect (http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=8316&GroupID=170) which gets a good review here (4.5 out of 5) (http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=29&id=1341). Was looking at this LG as it also reads/burns dvd-ram which although I don't have any use for at the moment, it would be nice to have that feature in case I do need it sometime in the future.
Question though; Are prices likely to go down in the near future? Because i'm not in desperate need of one and if prices are likely to fall even further then I don't mind waiting (within reason :D )

[Johnr]

Get a NEC 3500a

or a NEC 3520a

Whichever you choose both under £50 @ SVP :D

(48x CD Write speed too)

[nigel_williams]

Just got a 3520 from MicroDirect - think it was £36.95 + VAT. Written several DVD-Rs at 8x speed with no problems already. Haven't tried CD-R yet, but will do some later - the 48x writing will be a big bonus over my old drive which only did 16x.

[punisher46]

Keep me informed nigel..thanks

[statto]

I was choosing between the nec3500a and the pioneer108 a few weeks ago and plumped for the nec due to negative comments made about the pioneer on ebuyer. Am absolutely thrilled to bits with it.

http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/20041102/index.html

This website compares the nec with other similarly specced drives and comes to the conclusion that while it is one of the slowest in terms of access times (not really important as most of us use a second drive for reading discs) it's the fastest overall for writing.

Once again, can't recommend it enough. :thumbs:

[Pheonix]

I have the NEC 3500a too, and so far its been an excellent drive. Been fine with both Bulkpaq and Datawrite Greys. Only one coaster so far.