Best CD writer?

sporkpimp · Feb 5, 2003, 09:57 PM

My sucky Sony 24x10x32 is starting to suck. Well, it always sucked... so at least it sucks reliably (though loudly).

Anyway, I'm in the market for a new one... a new CD writer, that is. Something in the sub-$100 range (though that covers most everything, huh?)

Here's what I had in mind:

1) Very consistent, reliable reading and writing... minimal coasters (other than those caused by user stupidity) and good reads (gritty music even at 1x *SUCKS*).

2) Can burn in RAW mode, write weak sectors, etc. For, um, reasons

3) Quiet would be nice, but I'll settle for anything that doesn't take down birds in a three block radius.

4) RELIABILITY! No RMAs, no crappy firmware, no random malfunctions (other than those caused by Windows XP...).

As a sidenote, I run a dual-boot XP/Linux box... so compatability = teh rock.

(Oh, and I have done a little research, but all I can find is the typical "PLEXTOR IS TEH BSTEST THER IS" without any real backup... if Plextors -are- the best, no one can explain why.)

-SporkPimp

Necrosis · Feb 5, 2003, 10:12 PM

TDK
Lite-On
Yamaha
LG

DarkFoss · Feb 5, 2003, 10:16 PM

I'd say Lite-on would be a very good product to look into. I love mine it's fast quiet reliable. Lite-on also updates their firmware frequently adding new media support and occasional bug fixes. I picked up their latest the LTR 52246S 52X24X52 . I bought it for 63 retail version from Googlegear oem's are even cheaper. Lite-on also make the components for other company's, Buslink being one.

sporkpimp · Feb 5, 2003, 10:16 PM

I believe TDK drives are just remarked Lite-On drives, and I've never heard of LG... is Lite-On really as good as is advertised? I've heard very good AND very bad about them (as in... they're cheap and fast, but they sound like leaf blowers... haven't heard anything about their coaster-count, so I'll assume it's pretty good). Also, do you own one of those drives, or are those secondhand recommendations? (Don't wanna be rude, but I'm too po' to buy something I won't be happy with.)

Edit: How quiet is quiet? I've heard that Lite-Ons are just the opposite... very loud on spin-up. Anyone else have a Lite-On and wanna comment?

-SporkPimp

Mikeluv · Feb 5, 2003, 10:19 PM

I have a TDK burner and its sweet as hell also very nice price to it.

Dom · Feb 5, 2003, 10:38 PM

Lite-On! I've owned two, one 32x12x40 & 52x24x52. Never had a single problem w/ either, never had one disc mess-up while writing.

sporkpimp · Feb 5, 2003, 10:41 PM

Okay, so Lite-On's rock... but a 52x34x52? I can't see that one listed anywhere! What's the model number (I'd KILL for a 34x RW speed).

Dom · Feb 5, 2003, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sporkpimp
Okay, so Lite-On's rock... but a 52x34x52? I can't see that one listed anywhere! What's the model number (I'd KILL for a 34x RW speed).

I'm sorry, I ment 24 (pressed 3 be mistake).

sporkpimp · Feb 5, 2003, 11:10 PM

And here I had my hopes up

Anyway, I found a 52246S... with black bezel... for $60 (shipping included). GODDAMN that's cool! Thanks for the help and all!

Dom · Feb 5, 2003, 11:16 PM

It's a excelent drive, you won't regret it.

sporkpimp · Feb 5, 2003, 11:17 PM

(shakes fist at Dom)

HsuGotaQ · Feb 5, 2003, 11:50 PM

!Plextor!

Damn fast and stable burners, but slightly more expensive. For cheaper burners, the recent LGs are actually very stable and effective.... crap I got here too late.

sporkpimp · Feb 5, 2003, 11:52 PM

"Slightly more expensive" they are not... the plextors I saw were over double the price of an equivalent Lite-On model... I mean, I want quality, but I don't wanna pay $110 for a burner that is just a little better than the $60 lite-on...

Dom · Feb 6, 2003, 12:02 AM

My friend has a 48x24x48 Plextor was $110 at the time(months ago, and still is). It works fine but IMO it is in no way better than my Lite-On. I paid $77 at the time (2 months ago) for my 52x, now it's $54. Plus Lite-On drives come w/ Nero, Plextor's come w/ EZ CD 5 non-pro.

Vampyromaniac · Feb 6, 2003, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sporkpimp
My sucky Sony 24x10x32 is starting to suck. Well, it always sucked... so at least it sucks reliably (though loudly).

Ah, but does it suck like my Sony 8x4x32x ?

I'd give a vote to Lite-On, some of my friends have them, and they really like 'em.

vk2amv · Feb 6, 2003, 09:27 AM

I vote for the Lite-On too. Very high quality And QUIET drive for a realistic price. AREA_51

Necrosis · Feb 6, 2003, 11:41 AM

I meant to vote for Lite-On as well since that is what I use for my own PC and for ones I build. The only way I know it's burning a CD is the light turning red. However, you might of heard about their DVD-Rom which are so - so for quality.

merry · Feb 7, 2003, 06:32 AM

No one for TEAC? I have an 8x8x32, 18 months old - never spoiled a CD, and w/out BURN proof. Most of my friends have TEAC writers. I guess they're a bit more expensive than Lite-On, though.

jkayca2 · Feb 7, 2003, 08:27 AM

I have an HP 8200 in my other rig. Its slow but then its a couple of years old. Never had any problems with it though I've heard some complaints from others about HP's quality.

I know they're a little more expensive but have you considered skipping a CD writer and getting a DVD writer? All the present models suport CD-R and CD-RW formats. I have a Pioneer A05 which is awsome.

~~WyreTheWolf~~ · Feb 7, 2003, 09:55 AM

Here is another thing about the LiteON drives..............

Get the slowest one that you can that has a 12x CD-RW speed...
Now here comes the fun part! Get the FASTEST FirmWare that has a 12x CD-RW speed...
Flash the slow drive with the faster firmware... and TADA... you get that drive! But at a lower cost.

Lite-ON has been building some of the highest quality drives on the market... I have used LG Electronics, Sony, LiteON, Plextor, and Ricoh... I have always gone back to LiteON.... Great drives, and a better price

I have done that particular trick numerous times and I have never had a problem. It may take a while to find the correct firmware... but well worth the looking

Also on a side note... If the firmware is incompatable with the internal parts of the drive, it simply wont flash.

Good luck!

sporkpimp · Feb 7, 2003, 10:17 AM

The diff between a fast and slow lite-on drive is.... $10? A lot of work for not so much speed

. As for DVD writers... yeah, they're just a little more expensive... like, 6 times as expensive. That's not a lot!

~~WyreTheWolf~~ · Feb 7, 2003, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sporkpimp
The diff between a fast and slow lite-on drive is.... $10? A lot of work for not so much speed . As for DVD writers... yeah, they're just a little more expensive... like, 6 times as expensive. That's not a lot!

Actually the differences at the time that I flashed mine was nearly 60 dollars!

Started with a 24x12x40! OEM, White, Bland... Now it is alumi-coated, and spins at much faster speeds

sporkpimp · Feb 7, 2003, 10:26 AM

If it was $60 cheaper than the fastest lite-on, it would have to be free

Mikeluv · Feb 7, 2003, 01:28 PM

Where can you get these hacked firmwares at?

~~WyreTheWolf~~ · Feb 7, 2003, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sporkpimp
If it was $60 cheaper than the fastest lite-on, it would have to be free

A year ago the fastest liteon was nearly 110 dollars, and it was only available in full retail. With OEM packaging, and it being an older drive... it was far less exensive, around 50 dollars.

~~WyreTheWolf~~ · Feb 7, 2003, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mikeluv
Where can you get these hacked firmwares at?

It isnt a hack, just straight firmware off of the liteon website!