| Author |
Topic: external DVD burner?? |
Terry Sneed
From:
Arkansas,
|
Posted 28 Jul 2007 1:28 pm |
|
This is the device that lets you copy DVDs to a blank DVD right? Does anybody know if they work like their suppose to? I priced them at walmart and the cheapest was $84(don't remember the brand) the Sony's were $100. Yikes, I had no idea these things were so expensive.
I saw a bunch on Ebay, do I have to get a certain one for my computer? Like my computer says CD-RW then underneath that it says DVD-ROM. Would I have to get one that has DVD -RW on it? Are most brands fairly decent at burning DVD? Thanks
Terry |
|
|
 |
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 28 Jul 2007 2:32 pm
|
|
If you buy a DVD burner, you want one that will burn both Plus and Minus Media. e.g. DVD-R or DVD+R. Most made today are both DVD plus and minus burners.
You need a USB port on the PC for an external unit. Most are designed for a USB 2.0 port, but if all you have is an older PC with a USB 1.1 port it will still work but the data transfer speed will be reduced with the 1.1. port.
As far as the brand for an external drive..??? many have their favorites, but I've found the Sony drives to be finnicky, working in computers, and avoid them.
The $80 to $100 or so is probably the usual retail price range at stores since you are getting the DVD burner drive plus the enclosure with power supply and USB cable.
Here is a complete unit from New Egg for $62.99 and it includes free shipping and Nero 7 CD/DVD burning software. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106056 |
|
|
|
Terry Sneed
From:
Arkansas,
|
Posted 28 Jul 2007 6:43 pm DVD
|
|
Thanks Jack. My computer has the 2.0 USB port. So do you think this DVD burner from New Egg would be fine for my computer? Is this one fairly easy to operate? I'm a computer idiot. Sounds like it might be a good price since the software is included and all.
Terry |
|
|
|
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 29 Jul 2007 2:42 am
|
|
An external drive is no different than an internal. You connect it to a USB port, the Operating System recognizes it and installs it, if you have Windows XP or Vista.
From that point it's no different than having an internal drive. You can burn to it, play CD's and DVD's from it, etc.
When you run your CD burning software it will recognize the drive and let you do anything to it that you could do to an internal drive.
There are no controls on the external drive. It may have a power switch but that's the only thing (other than the usual button to open and close the drive door). |
|
|
|
Terry Sneed
From:
Arkansas,
|
Posted 29 Jul 2007 2:23 pm DVD burner
|
|
Ok thanks Jack, I have windows xp. I think I should be able to figure out how to burn DVDs , I hope! I've made copys of CDs before. Appreciate your help.
Terry |
|
|
|
Joe Stoebenau
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 13 Aug 2007 7:42 am
|
|
Hi Terry,
I just picked up a multi format external DVD burner yesterday from Best Buy for $59.00.
It's called a LG Super Multi and also has the light Scribe printing system that makes real good labels.
Best Buy here in PA had tons of these on the shelf so I imagine it would be the same where you are. |
|
|
|
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 13 Aug 2007 7:56 am
|
|
Joe, if you would have followed the other thread he posted, he got a drive and had problems burning anything to it and returned it.
Good luck on the Light Scribe. It requires special, higher priced, discs, only burns in one color and if you are doing anything except a simple label it can take up to 30 minutes. Not worth it in most cases. I have an Epson printer that prints directly on ink jet printable CD's (cheaper than the light scribes)and it prints in any color and takes about a minute to print a full label with graphics.
(I have two light scribe capable drives but don't use that function). |
|
|
|
Joe Stoebenau
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2007 5:21 pm
|
|
Jack,
I also have an Epson inkjet printer that does a nice job on discs. Haven't tried the lightscribe yet nor have I purchased the discs yet. I usually go to a bulk store online such as Emedia depot or NewEgg.com to get discs so the prices are usually pretty good though I have to check into the light scribe disc prices.
thanks |
|
|
|
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 30 Aug 2007 2:46 am
|
|
| Lightscribe CD's or DVD's are a lot more expensive and as noted only "print" in one color and are very slow. I can't really see any good justification for using them. |
|
|
|
