Best SATA DVD R/W

[hermeticist]

I need to buy two SATA DVD writers & my thinking was: As some writers seem to be different in their capabilites I would buy two makes, then if one drive wouldn`t read a disc, the other might (I don`t care if they are lightscribe or not - but I probably won`t be using this function).

So what are the current best drives on the market?

Many thanks for everyones time.

[Brewster0101]

I thought we were in the age when manufacturers all made drives pretty much the same.

I see LG have a new 22 speed DVD recorder. I personally have a samsung which was ok, but 18 months down the line has started to hum too much when spinning a DVD, but to most I am sure its normal.

Maybe consider an LG bluray recorder that can also play HD-DVD. then all your options are open

[hermeticist]

A couple of months ago people were either advising the samsung BEBN or the Pioneer 215 (I thought there was a 216 coming out?), But I haven`t heard any reviews or thoughts recently, maybe they are all a muchness.....The Optiarcs (currently using Sony & NEC) seemed to have a bad reputation, has that improved recently?

[Lourdes]

The Pioneer 215 or 216, you can never go wrong with their drives.

[2Cold Scorpio]

I rather like my Lite-On DVD-RAM drive...can't remember the model # though atm... (Yes, its a DVD-RW drive too...handles pretty much every DVD recording format...and is Lightscribe! )

[hermeticist]

I don`t think the Pioneer 216 has been launched yet. Are there any brands that I should definitely avoid?

[stavroshamster]

My Samsung SH-S223F has just broken after less than a month, so I can't recommend that!!!!

[tensim]

I think my SH-S223F has died as well (after just a couple of weeks very light usage...) It's doing the same thing that Stavroshamster reported in his thread... not sure how to fix it

[hermeticist]

So not a Samsung SH-S223F!

Thanks guys, as I said earlier a lot of people were recommending the Samsung BEBN a couple of months back, they might all be similar but there does appear to be some models that are best avoided.

I will probably get a Pioneer, but what about the second one?

[neoboy]

There are quite a few good manufactures out there. I've used LG for the past 5 years without any problems. Liteon, Pioneer and Optiarc also generally get very good reviews.

[Zhaoman]

I have a Lite-On and it does exactly what you want it to do, but the problem is the drive is very loud when it spins up. Changing the covers was also a pain especially when you don't have sharp nails. For my next build I'm thinking about getting an LG or HP instead...

[smithmr8]

LiteOn are pretty awesome. Have two SATA 20 Speed Lightscribe's and an IDE 20 Speed Lightscribe. All work fantastically.

Changing the front fascia was a dodle for me. I don't have long nails, but I know how to use a flathead screwdriver . It's very easy if you do it the right way.

[TheReaFireblade]

I have a Lite-On and it does exactly what you want it to do, but the problem is the drive is very loud when it spins up.

Yup... "very loud" is how I'd describe the ones I've heard as well

Pioneer, LG or Samsung for me these days

[smithmr8]

Really ? I've never had any experiences with my past/current LiteOn's, in terms of noise. Except with one of my recent ones which ended up spinning really fast [Audible over everything else] when trying to read the OEM Nero disc that came with it. [It really didn't like it]

But, my current ones are sounding perfect. No loud spinning noise. Can't really differentiate between the noise of the fans and the DVD-RW.

Personally, I've used LiteOn DVD-RW for as long as I can remember and I haven't had the pleasure of using anything else so I can't really give you any comparisons.

[templetons]

Samsung 223Q looks best on paper but has anyone seen a review or owns and can comment on the drive?