Buslink DVD+/-RW external drives

[ScottW3]

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[ECA]

IMHO=In my Honest opionion........

Buy either quality, or a good deal from a name brand.
I dont know this company, or WHOSE DVD they are using, only 3-6 companies make them.
With internal DVD writers from Plextstor going down, They are the #1 brand most times, I would suggest watching there prices.

[Ioman]

Chances are the Buslink writer is made by someone else. Try to find out who makes the optical drives for them.

[ECA]

Its better to wait for 1-2 years and get a Good product then to buy a piece of garbade that will be broken in about 1 year, wont do what you want, and you cant get customer service for.

[ScottW3]

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[Ioman]

Originally posted by ScottW3
Thanks for all the input. I appreciate it. I'm looking for an external drive for my laptop. What are your opinions on buying an internal drive and then buying an external enclosure? Thanks

Is size an issue?

If it is I would consider the Pioneer DVR-SK12D: http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review748.html

And if it isn't the Pioneer S606: http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review611.html

[ECA]

did you forget the Plexstor...
They do have an external model also.

[ScottW3]

size isn't really an issue. My main concern is the price/quality trade off. Since internal drives are much cheaper, I was thinking of getting a good quality one and mounting it in an external enclosure. I just don't know how hard that is and if its a viable option.

[ECA]

WELL, it wont be very portable as you will need to run the internal cable outside the case, with an adaptor for the IDE.

External Plextor is $225 USB and Firewire.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-131-306&depa=0

Its only about $50-75 cheaper then internal.

[IronSerif]

Let me offer a differing opinion here...

Yes, the buslink drive is made by someone else...BUT

for $130 (after rebates and instant savings, if he is referring to the CompUSA special), thats one hell of a deal. Yes there might be some small differences in build and performance quality, but come on, that's one heck of a deal.

You're external solution idea isn't a bad one, it definitely is possible, and this way you can also choose your dvd burner. But if you're looking for a solution right out of the package the Buslink is a hell of a deal.

Good luck man!

[ECA]

DEAL yes.
Buying cow manure is cheaper then buying fertilizer.

cow dung, you have to load up in a truck and despence with a shovel and about 1 days work, and then clean your truck, then water 24 hours later, or have a BURNT lawn.

A good time released fertilizer, you spread on and go away and it works. Also adds other nutrients that cow dung dont.

Good deal, but what are you buying... something that will give you everything and do almost everything. Or something you may NOT like.

the 504,401U, and others have $50 rebates...
http://www.plextor.com/english/products/product_promotions.html

[IronSerif]

Hehe I love your whole cow dung thing :)

So yes...if you want a good deal, then jump all over it :)

Also check outt he link that ECA posted.

My friends have used Buslinks external HD's before and haven't had a problem...so thats a good sign :)

[ECA]

Iron;

Thats good.
We been posting for a week, and finally you say something GOOD about the product.

Any incompatiblities? What formats it DONT do.
What is the master rate? How many coasters have they made?

2 things also to remember ALSO. A great burner dont many coasters(bad burns).
And GOOD quality DVD's burn better then those CHEAP ones.
I think Matsu****a (If I heard correctly) is one of the better ones, but the Burner should have a list of the ones it burns BEST to. BULK price is around $1 each, in 100's.

[IronSerif]

Well I haven't talked to anyone that has used the same burner, but I know people who have Buslink products, such as other external drives.

But it seems that this external burner is a very compatible burner, and it's 8x4x12...

Not sure who actually makes the drive though...so that is something to take into consideration as everyone has been saying.

So just remember, with this burner you may end up having more coasters compared to some other burners.

But I have a Pacific Digital DVD burner, which is actually made by NEC...and I did about 15 burns so far without any coasters....so thats a good sign so far :)

[jimiWonta]

In response to Buslink external writer, whic i have, it works fine but consider driver issues like which have been posted it appears.
The bundled software is garbage but the Buslink DVD disc is necessary. I think. I've uninstalled all of it a few times and each time I get a unknown device message. Which led me here - I was looking to download one once and for all. There are so many other good versions of burners, players and codecs out there this stuff is a waste of time.
The writer is good though. I've burned VCD and MP3 and it is fast. I did have a problem with an avi to DVD due to format reasons however. Just remember to use a RW until you get the kinks out of how to use what you have. I am trying to burn a DVD right now but have this driver issue which is completely annoying.

[IronSerif]

Welcome to Designtechnica jimiWonta!

Good call on using RW until you're familiar with everything and you've gotten your feet wet.

What software does the drive come with?

My burner came with EZ DVD creator or something like th at...but I Totally botched it :) I use Alcohol 120% and DVD X Copy Platinum instead. I might try the bundled software one day...when I'm really bored lol

[jimiWonta]

It came with MY DVD 5 ( I believe ) and arcsoft showbiz. Both very average I think. Authoring limitations.
It does the job if you're not looking to do much more than encode and burn an already good looking format. No resize ability and the arcsoft software usually freezes up the OS after about 30 min. of encoding. Maybe it is my processor, I don't know. I want to upgrade somewhere which I am looking into now. I have an AMD Athlon XP - any ideas on AMD64 or a card of some type that will ease the load on this processor?
This video editing can be cumbersome.
I did burn a nice DVD RW movie that played well in standalone dvd player though. That's the good news. Thanks.