External DVD writer

[simonf7]

Has anybody had any experience with external dvd writers, usb2 or firewire?

To keep my htpc setup neat, I thought I might put the PC - still in crappy old atx case - round the back of the tv and then have just the dvd drive and m$ remote receiver under the tv.

Quite fancy a lightscribe drive so no longer do I have to arse around with sticky labels or pens.

Any suggestions?

Si

[toomanycooks]

I have this one from Dabs.

Fast and good value - would recommend it.

[dave87]

Yup another vote for that one, just bought one at work and it works straight out of the box on most systems. - weve tried about 5 so far, the only one it didn't work on was a laptop with a dying hdd - so corrupted windows install. Faultless but not quiet when spun up to full speed.

Dave

[simonf7]

Anybody got any experience with this lightscribe malarky?

Si

[Funkstar]

Not used that one in particular, but used the 8x version of it at work. Works well.

Also used a bunch of different writers in external cases. I don't think there is much of a difference between USB2 and firewire these days (even though Firewire is in practice faster and more efficient) what with faster processors, larger buffers and burnproof technologies.

[simonf7]

Going against everyone's recommendation - Scan just happen to have an LG drive on today only - LG GSA-2166D - any opinions?

Si

[dave87]

I've also used the LG Internal drives, and if theyre as good then you shouldn't have any problems. Not sure on the software provided with it though.

Dave

[toomanycooks]

No experience with LG drives. Interested to know how you get on with the lightscribe function, please post some results/piccies?