External DVD Burner recommendation - Club CDFreaks

14hours · 08-01-2006

I have been researching the Internett for a while and really cannot determine what the best option for an external dvd writer is.

I have seen a lot on LG and BenQ, but no definitive best external DVD writer.

The most important aspect to me is the the burning quality. Speed is obviously another important factor, but will sacrafice speed for a burner that produces the highest quality DVDs.

Double Layer burning is obviously preferred also. The other capabilties such as cd writing and cd burning are not as important.

Please provide any reccomandations. Thanks in advance.

*_chef_* · 09-01-2006

I would use on coming with an option to connect via Firewire because most USB externals have issues (chipset/firmware).
But it's just my personal preference.

Maybe you should read the big external enclosures thread...

**alan1476** · 09-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14hours

I have been researching the Internett for a while and really cannot determine what the best option for an external dvd writer is.

I have seen a lot on LG and BenQ, but no definitive best external DVD writer.

The most important aspect to me is the the burning quality. Speed is obviously another important factor, but will sacrafice speed for a burner that produces the highest quality DVDs.

Double Layer burning is obviously preferred also. The other capabilties such as cd writing and cd burning are not as important.

Please provide any reccomandations. Thanks in advance.

Look at the Sony 810UL, it is firewire and USB, and can be crossflashed to a BenQ164B BEGB firmware (UDMA 4 )

Crawler · 02-02-2006

Can you compare the writing-quality of the BenQ 164B with a BenQ 1650?

**alan1476** · 04-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crawler

Can you compare the writing-quality of the BenQ 164B with a BenQ 1650?

The 164B BenQ is an external BenQ1640 and the BenQ 1650 has a different chip and totally different hardware and firmware, at this point in the BenQ 1650 or 1655's firmware it is a great drive with alot of maturing to make it better, the BenQ 1640 has already had at least 5 firmware updates so I think at this point they are about even.

stressreleaseme · 11-03-2006

Why can't one buy an internal drive and just get the external case kit? That way you could use any burner? Just a thought.

**mciahel** · 13-03-2006

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressreleaseme

Why can't one buy an internal drive and just get the external case kit? That way you could use any burner? Just a thought.

Theoretically you can do that, indeed. And many people do so.
But there are some things to consider:
- there are lots of external cases with bad chipsets
- some drives cannot achieve full speed, if they are mounted into an external enclosure. Drives that support UDMA-4 perform better.

You'll also have a look at this thread:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=119149

Michael

gtghm · 21-03-2006

What is the advantage to flashing the Sony drive to BenQ frimware, what functions are gained that are not in the Sony firmware?

Are there stability issues with the reflash? Can it be reflashed to back to the proper Sony firmware if there is a problem?

Thanks

*chas0039* · 21-03-2006

These cases work very well with more drives:

http://www.dealsonic.com/plpmblcousb22.html

http://www.dealsonic.com/pl52usb20enf.html

*chas0039* · 21-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtghm

What is the advantage to flashing the Sony drive to BenQ frimware, what functions are gained that are not in the Sony firmware?

It is hard to say, but most users feel that the BenQ versions are better and are updated way more often.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtghm

Are there stability issues with the reflash? Can it be reflashed to back to the proper Sony firmware if there is a problem?

Thanks

Crossflashing when you are using the correct drive is usually not a problem You have to assume you cannot flash back and that you will lose the warranty.

gtghm · 24-03-2006

Do you gain any of the lightscribe function or, whatever BenQ calls it, when you cross flash? (Speaking of the Sony 810UL)

*Jamos* · 05-04-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtghm

Do you gain any of the lightscribe function or, whatever BenQ calls it, when you cross flash? (Speaking of the Sony 810UL)

No, Lightscribe is in the hardware you can not flash a non lightscribe drive to make it lightscribe.

08-01-2006	#1 (permalink)
14hours New on Forum Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3	External DVD Burner recommendation <a href='http://adstats.cdfreaks.com/www/delivery/ck.php?n=a13febf7&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE' target='_blank'><img src='http://adstats.cdfreaks.com/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=30&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=a13febf7' border='0' alt='' /></a> I have been researching the Internett for a while and really cannot determine what the best option for an external dvd writer is. I have seen a lot on LG and BenQ, but no definitive best external DVD writer. The most important aspect to me is the the burning quality. Speed is obviously another important factor, but will sacrafice speed for a burner that produces the highest quality DVDs. Double Layer burning is obviously preferred also. The other capabilties such as cd writing and cd burning are not as important. Please provide any reccomandations. Thanks in advance.

09-01-2006	#2 (permalink)
_chef_ CDFreaks Resident Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: @FX labs .de ...watching [Benders.Big.Score] [Tripping.The.Rift.The.Movie] Posts: 23,944	Re: External DVD Burner recommendation I would use on coming with an option to connect via Firewire because most USB externals have issues (chipset/firmware). But it's just my personal preference. Maybe you should read the big external enclosures thread... __________________ Started with burning capable optical drives (CD-R) in 1997. Bought optical drives from AOpen, HP, LiteOn, NEC, Philips, Pioneer, Plextor, Ricoh, Samsung, Sanyo, Toshiba and Yamaha. *'Things are now in motion that cannot be undone.' [Gandalf, LoTR]* Enable DMA with micrAp$0ft Enable DMA free at your will busTRACE => Upper/Lower Filters Util DevCon *HOW TO ... Delete the Upper & Lower Filters!* If you expect help then please start by using the powerful SEARCH.

02-02-2006	#4 (permalink)
Crawler New on Forum Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6	Re: External DVD Burner recommendation Can you compare the writing-quality of the BenQ 164B with a BenQ 1650?

11-03-2006	#6 (permalink)
stressreleaseme New on Forum Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	Re: External DVD Burner recommendation Why can't one buy an internal drive and just get the external case kit? That way you could use any burner? Just a thought.

21-03-2006	#8 (permalink)
gtghm CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 40	Re: External DVD Burner recommendation What is the advantage to flashing the Sony drive to BenQ frimware, what functions are gained that are not in the Sony firmware? Are there stability issues with the reflash? Can it be reflashed to back to the proper Sony firmware if there is a problem? Thanks

21-03-2006	#9 (permalink)
chas0039 CDFreaks Resident Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lost in America Posts: 7,063	Re: External DVD Burner recommendation These cases work very well with more drives: http://www.dealsonic.com/plpmblcousb22.html http://www.dealsonic.com/pl52usb20enf.html __________________ Still a few bugs in the system...

24-03-2006	#11 (permalink)
gtghm CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 40	Re: External DVD Burner recommendation Do you gain any of the lightscribe function or, whatever BenQ calls it, when you cross flash? (Speaking of the Sony 810UL)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need a recommendation for an external enclosure for a Phillips SPD7000 Blu-Ray Burner	slim463	External Enclosures	0	02-08-2007 18:03
external DVD drive recommendation please	cybmole	CD and DVD Burners	4	22-07-2007 18:12
External DVD Burner Recommendation for Mac	bostongmw	CD and DVD Burners	2	12-01-2006 11:04
External DVD burner -OR- External Enclosure Kit + Internal DVD burner	crunkmonkey	General Hardware Forum	8	11-10-2004 09:05
DVD Burner Recommendation?	ucla91	Newbie Forum	2	09-09-2004 02:38

Commercial message