16 replies to this topic

[Zzozzach]

I've had an enquiry from a colleague about what's a good DVD drive to install into her computer. Pioneer has traditionally been the best of the lot, and the DVR219L can be procured for $23. Is this still the best one on the market?

Another one to consider would be the LiteON SATA DVD-RW 24X Black (no model number for this one) which is available for a dollar less. I recall hearing good things as well about LiteON in the past.

[Xen]

I've had an enquiry from a colleague about what's a good DVD drive to install into her computer. Pioneer has traditionally been the best of the lot, and the DVR219L can be procured for $23. Is this still the best one on the market?

Another one to consider would be the LiteON SATA DVD-RW 24X Black (no model number for this one) which is available for a dollar less. I recall hearing good things as well about LiteON in the past.

LiteON used to be the beezneez, Still pretty good from what i hear.

Pretty much now given that the drives aren't really improving in quality or speed (Different formats withstanding).

IMO just go the LiteON.

[bushi]

Liteon over Pioneer? Really? I thought Liteon was down there with Samsung drives.

[unco_tomato]

Why does it matter? It will be used once or twice in the next decade.

[Xen]

Liteon over Pioneer?

Really?


I thought Liteon was down there with Samsung drives.

I Always found that the Liteon drives out performed and outlived any of the Pioneer or Sony drives i ever bought, back then being an assload cheaper was a good bonus too.

[bushi]

It matters because their the same price. If it doesn't matter, lock the thread.

[unco_tomato]

My point was it's like comparing Floppy drives. It's cheap legacy technology, made largely by one or two OEM companies with different stickers. Just my view on it anyway :P

[twents]

do people still use those thin round things in their computers?

[aliali]

For burning the Sony Optiarc and only that model from Sony, is supposedly the best DVD burner around. Pioneer went to the same cheapy chipset as Samsung et al which is not as good as the Optiarc one apparently.
However for a BD burner the Pioneer BDR-206 is the one to get according to the Speedlab boyz.

do people still use those thin round things in their computers?

Yes because I am not going to give someone one of my flash drives to take a couple of files home. I would never get it back, or be chasing it for weeks.

[Zzozzach]

Thanks aliali, that's the sort of advice I was looking for. If my research is correct then the Optiarc will be this one at Umart for only $19.

The person I'm researching it for will be using it quite heavily to burn photos to disc. I discussed with her about going to Blu-Ray instead so she could take advantage of the greater capacity, but she's concerned about the compatibility. At this point, DVD is far more ubiquitous than BD, and will play in more devices.

I'm also going to suggest to her to stick with Taiyo-Yuden media. Unless I'm mistaken, there's still nothing to compare to it for reliability.

[aliali]

Thanks aliali, that's the sort of advice I was looking for. If my research is correct then the Optiarc will be this one at Umart for only $19.

The person I'm researching it for will be using it quite heavily to burn photos to disc. I discussed with her about going to Blu-Ray instead so she could take advantage of the greater capacity, but she's concerned about the compatibility. At this point, DVD is far more ubiquitous than BD, and will play in more devices.

I'm also going to suggest to her to stick with Taiyo-Yuden media. Unless I'm mistaken, there's still nothing to compare to it for reliability.

Umart links generally don't work and this one doesn't., so I assume you mean the Sony AD7280SGB?
I assume it is an Optiarc chipset but can't confirm it.

[nobody813]

I use disks all the time :-P I prefer Pioneer drives, but not now if the above is true :-/

Edited by nobody813, 03 May 2012 - 10:08 PM.

[aliali]

I use disks all the time :-P

I prefer Pioneer drives, but not now if the above is true :-/

The difference between drives is not all that great IMO, so for the vast majority of people any brand will suffice, it's just that the Optiarc apparently has slightly better write strategies on place that does a better burn. At least according to the mob at Speedlabs.

[ReapermanRS]

I use disks all the time :-P

I prefer Pioneer drives, but not now if the above is true :-/

Me too but I have a BDR-206 so apparently it's all good :)

[bushi]

I use disks all the time :-P

I prefer Pioneer drives, but not now if the above is true :-/

Me too but I have a BDR-206 so apparently it's all good :)

+1

[Zzozzach]

Thanks aliali, that's the sort of advice I was looking for. If my research is correct then the Optiarc will be this one at Umart for only $19.

The person I'm researching it for will be using it quite heavily to burn photos to disc. I discussed with her about going to Blu-Ray instead so she could take advantage of the greater capacity, but she's concerned about the compatibility. At this point, DVD is far more ubiquitous than BD, and will play in more devices.

I'm also going to suggest to her to stick with Taiyo-Yuden media. Unless I'm mistaken, there's still nothing to compare to it for reliability.

Umart links generally don't work and this one doesn't., so I assume you mean the Sony AD7280SGB?
I assume it is an Optiarc chipset but can't confirm it.

Yes, that's the one. (I didn't realise the Umart link didn't have the full URL. Here it is again, and it should work this time.)

I've done some searching and it looks like the AD-7280S is definitely an Optiarc product. However, note that this one is missing the 'GB' on the end of the model number, and I know that sometimes it can be significant. I'm unable to find the former, all stockists in Australia seem to only have the latter one. So, I'll take a stab and get that model. It can't be any worse than either Pioneer or LiteOn, and there's certainly nothing in it price-wise.

[zebra]

Hi. All a matter of perspective and if you care about write quality. It's generally widely considered that the Pioneer BD technology is a little more advanced than LiteOn IT's. Not so much the case these days with DVD drives - but eh, who the hell wants a DVD burner in this day and age? BD or it's not worth it, imho ;). z