LG / Samsung / LiteOn / Optiarc / Asus ?

[Mama Sumae]

Hi guys need a new Black DVD writer but there seems to be far too much to choose from in scan. All seem to carry the same price/features so which manufacturers/models would u pick? Don’t expect to use lightscribe is there any downside in this technology in terms of the writer reliability?

Also is Sata worth it ? I would think so but scan have a small selection on them, is there any special reason for that?

[vinnyT]

I have a sata samsung writer, and it has been fine, however, there were reports of people having probs booting from sata drives (which obviously doesn't help if you're trying to install windows), these probs may have been sorted now with newer drivers. If you are going to boot from this drive, then an ide maybe better. I suppose that scan do not have too many sata models because the sata dvd drive market is still only just taking off. One of the benefits of a sata drive is the thinner cable, better for airflow and keeping your case neat and tidy.

As for make/models, any of thos you have listed should be fine. Personally, until lightscribe matures to include colour and speedy printing, then I'm giving it a miss.

[BUFF]

the samsung drive is very quiet.

As for SATA it depends what mobo you'll be installing on but for 965/P35 & presumably X38 too it avoids faffing around with addon controllers like JMicron plus the cabling is neater.

[LegacyOne]

I'm sure others would recommend what they say is reliable as for me I got a Optiarc AD-7170S (SATA) from scan about 5 months ago and runs fine with no problems installing windows.

[dangel]

I wouldn't touch Optiarc again (Optiarc AD7170 x18 SATA BLACK 789725587) as I have two of them - one destabelised a RAID array and the other causes (different pc) an instant reboot if you try and burn a CD-R. I need to do some more testing to absolutely confirm this but basically in the former case I had one of my RAID drives randomly disconnecting causing system lockup. I'm _very_ suspicious of the Optiarc as (they) cause problems in the other PC.

[smallstool]

I bought a black ASUS DRW-1814BLT Sata & Lightscribe last week.

Boots Vista etc no problems.

[godsdog]

I bought a black ASUS DRW-1814BLT Sata & Lightscribe last week. Boots Vista etc no problems.

http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=120234 ..more than likely nothing to worry about and an isolated occurrence, but worth pointing out anyway.

[Smudger]

I've just ordered a Samsung DVD-ROM and the LiteOn 20x thing, both SATA. Nothing wrong with my old drives but I'm not keen on the way the IDE cable is stretched on my P5K-E.

I'll let you know how i get on...

[usxhe190]

i am sure SATA is fine in the majority of cases...the drives will also be similar i believe...for me i would go with samsung or asus because they are quieter...

[Mama Sumae]

Well i am using the fairly recent Asus P5B deluxe mobo (P 965) so i guess i shouldnt find any problems booting XP with sata? If i do find problems is there any way to work around it ?

Guess i will get the Samsung SH-S203 (LN19006) no lightscribe but higher burning speeds with DVD + - R DL plus it looks better than the others

[vinnyT]

Is this new drive a replacement for an ide drive? If it is keep it, then if you have any problem (though as I pointed out in my 1st post, they may have sorted these issues out) installing an OS just temporarily attach it to the ide port on the mobo (doesn't even have to be in the case, put it flat on the desk).

[jackvdbuk]

Sammsung all the way in the harddrive and rewriter department, have all samsung harddrives and one DVD-RW and they have both been superb

[Behemoth]

Samsung do make great drives, but that said so do Pioneer too Just a pity they don't do an SATA ones.

[Mama Sumae]

Guess that settles it then my previous LG drive died on me but I still have my laptop's external burner in case i need to boot the OS.

So whats the policy for thanks in hexus? for all i know i should thank everybody here but it might be too much for the modders.

[dangel]

If you thank too much you can go blind.

Nah, go for it - there's no restriction on giving the love.

[Mithrandir]

Any recent drives that can be flashed to region free? (RPC1)