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View Full Version : DVD-Rom Drives? ADVICE PLEASE?!?

njchan
Mar 5th, 2005, 10:31 AM
I recently put together an HTPC ...

and I guess I never noticed, but the DVD-Rom Drive I have (spare) doesn't read DVD-RWs ... although it is region free.

Anyone have recommendations on a good DVD-Rom drive that will read everything (DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW) ?!?! One that is also region free would be nice as well.
willy
Mar 5th, 2005, 10:39 AM
Why not getting a DVD burner instead ? I am almost certain it reads all RWs ...
Canadianpsycho
Mar 5th, 2005, 11:20 AM
Should pick up a NEC DVD+/-RW... They've gotten pretty cheap, and my 2500 firmware flashed to 2510 is probably the quietest drive I've had in a long time.
njchan
Mar 5th, 2005, 12:01 PM
Should pick up a NEC DVD+/-RW... They've gotten pretty cheap, and my 2500 firmware flashed to 2510 is probably the quietest drive I've had in a long time.

I have a pioneer DVR-108 ... but that's in my main drive ...

was thinking about a DVD+/-RW ... but this is an HTPC, and likely not used for much else ...

was hoping to have some $$$ since it's unlikely I'd be burning from it.
Riflem@n
Mar 5th, 2005, 01:14 PM
http://usa.aopen.com/products/dvd/DVD1648AAPPRO.htm

This is probably the best dvd-rom out there, it has the fastest speeds ever.
deep
Mar 5th, 2005, 01:25 PM
Since the first thing you do after installing a DVD drive into your HTPC is install DriveSpeed and slow it down as far as you can, I doubt that he cares if his new DVD drive is the "fastest ever".

I also use a DVD burner in my HTPC, the LG-4163 (since it was a steal) and have it cranked down to 4x for DVD and CD reading.
mp328
Mar 5th, 2005, 01:34 PM
i just grabbed the cheapest one from CC and works beautifull.

i have custom winxp on a dvd and needed the drive to install it on my pvr. bought the cheapest one there $28 or so and works perfect.
njchan
Mar 6th, 2005, 12:02 PM
Since the first thing you do after installing a DVD drive into your HTPC is install DriveSpeed and slow it down as far as you can, I doubt that he cares if his new DVD drive is the "fastest ever".

I also use a DVD burner in my HTPC, the LG-4163 (since it was a steal) and have it cranked down to 4x for DVD and CD reading.

Curious ... why do you "slow down" the DVD reading on the drive?
njchan
Mar 6th, 2005, 12:03 PM
i just grabbed the cheapest one from CC and works beautifull.

i have custom winxp on a dvd and needed the drive to install it on my pvr. bought the cheapest one there $28 or so and works perfect.

do you have the model number?

I've seen a couple >$30 DVD drives at Ucomputer and Chiplogic ... no one's gotten back to me on their compatability though. :(
mp328
Mar 6th, 2005, 08:00 PM
do you have the model number?

I've seen a couple >$30 DVD drives at Ucomputer and Chiplogic ... no one's gotten back to me on their compatability though. :(

i got that comp downstairs but i think it was an NEC or a LiteON i forgot now. but here http://www.canadacomputers.com/cdrom.html#rom they even have sony's for under $30

and im pretty sure every single one of those will play anything u throw at it.
deep
Mar 6th, 2005, 08:19 PM
Curious ... why do you "slow down" the DVD reading on the drive?

Because if I want to play a CD on my system, I don't need my drive to spin up to 40x to do so. That's audible! DVDs are pretty quiet at 16x, but to play a disc of either type, 1x will do, so I go safe and quiet with 4x.

You cannae hear a thing but the sweet sound of soon to be illegally copied music/movie. Er.....oops.
njchan
Mar 8th, 2005, 10:19 AM
Because if I want to play a CD on my system, I don't need my drive to spin up to 40x to do so. That's audible! DVDs are pretty quiet at 16x, but to play a disc of either type, 1x will do, so I go safe and quiet with 4x.

You cannae hear a thing but the sweet sound of soon to be illegally copied music/movie. Er.....oops.

ahhh ...

thanks for the info. I'll look into that ... but need to get a drive that READS DVD+/-R RW first. :D