Suggestions for external DVD burner

[wparsonsgisnet]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I managed to croak my 4 or 5-year-old Sony DVD burner. I guess it's time to get a new, dual-layer one.

 

Any suggestions for an external dual-layer, multi-format DVD burner, from the Forum monsters?

 

Many thanks,

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[stunsworth]

I have an multi-format double layer external LG unit I bought recently for about £30 that I've been very pleased with.

 

Double layer discs are expensive though.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Thanks, Steve.

 

I'm looking at a Turboplex at US$ 130. This is part of a production chain, of course; that's why it's busted.

 

And, yes, I don't need dual layer at this time, but it only makes sense to buy it this way. No sooner would I buy it in single layer format than someone would have to have their disk in dual layer format.

[stunsworth]

Bill, I bought my dual layer recorder because I'd recorded some Wagner and didn't want to split the operas across discs.

 

The unit I bought was this one...

 

dabs.com - LG Electronics 20X DVD+/-RW/12X RAM Ext Lightscribe USB2 SECURDIS (GSA-E60L)

 

This is a UK vendor, but I'm sure the same unit is available in the States.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Steve, except for the Wagner part .... .... I think the idea is great.

 

Actually, I like this, it gives me a new long-interval recording medium. Thanks for the info.

 

I'm actually a bel canto guy, myself.

[stunsworth]

Bill, I've no problem with Bel Canto either, but the BBC broadcast the Ring in full and it seemed silly not to record it.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

A few weekends ago, I was listening to the Met (as in NY) broadcast on Saturday and they were doing Gotterdamerung (I think). During the interview in the half-time show one of the singers said that all the Wagner operas are done by the same set of singers and that it's always old home week when one of the operas is performed.

 

Of course, most of the problems revolve around props (8 foot spears, and the like).

 

What did you use for recording? Do you have your FM directly in your PC?

 

Thanks,

[stunsworth]

Bill, if it was a few weeks ago it was Die Walkure. I didn't hear the broadcast, but it got pretty poor reviews over here - we get the Met matinee broadcast live early on a Saturday evening.

 

The Ring thing was on the TV, I have a good tuner card in the PC and recorded it directly to disk, I then burned the DVDs from the edited recording. For recording the radio I have the tape output of my pre-amp feeding a laptop that sits in the same room as the hifi. So I listen to the tuner and use the laptop as a glorified tape recorder.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Steve, I have a line-out into the audio card from my office sound system. Was wondering if you has some spectacular audio card in the pc.

 

I've got a spare vcr -- maybe I'll run that into the audio system so I can do what you did.

 

Neat idea. I've been sitting around on my thumb trying to figure out how to do this. We 'Muricans are too slow.

[philipotto]

Bill,

I just installed the Sony DRU840A in my PowerMac G5. As it turned out I'm pleased my drive failed as the major increase in speed across the board was well worth the upgrade.

 

If you insist on an external, the MacBook Air Superdrive is handsome.

[ceflynn]

The MacBook Air Superdrive works only with the MacBook Air. The photos do not quite do it justice.

[philipotto]

ceflynn,

 

Right you are. Sorry for my oversight. Apparently the MBA usb port provides above usb spec power, which is required for the usb powered superdrive. Perhaps this is a cause for reports of usb hubs not working properly with the Air.

[ALLESPACH]

I've got an almost unused LaCie external DVD/CD burner - no LightScribe™ though - that I'd give away for a song - if that's something you'd be interested in. Tough as a tank.

 

All my external stuff is LaCie.

 

Let me know if it might be of use to you.

 

David

[ceflynn]

Philip,

 

Thank for the details. It makes sense that some devices using the USB protocols might require more power than USB typically provides.

[wparsonsgisnet]

David, thanks for the offer. I tried one of these, as I am a LaCie fan, but the Roxie crap blew away my DVD mastering software's ability to burn DVD's. I sent it back to the LaCie guys. I have lots of their hard disks (4 TB, and counting). Nice disks by my lights.

 

On my way home tonite I picked up a Plextor PX-810UF, external multi-everything burner -- EXCEPT that it's particular about media!

 

I have succeeded in reading CD's and DVD's that I have created, burning a CD of my mastering, BUT cannot burn a single-layer DVD on either Verbatim DVD-R or Maxell DVD-R white ink-jet printable disks -- which I have been using for a couple of years (and have a good stock of!).

 

The web site for Plextor says they only like to burn to Sony or Taiyo Yuden DVD blanks.

 

Of course, the only Sony media I can find is Blu-Ray.

 

I ordered a pack of Taiyo Yuden DVD-R white ink-jet printable media tonite from Supermediastore. I've been using T-Y CD-R wijp media for quite a while now.

 

Patience, patience, ... That's what I get for having only one burner in my production line. Sigh.

[ALLESPACH]

Whatever works is always the best.

 

David

[wparsonsgisnet]

Well ... I surely hope this one will work when I get new media! However, the LaCie device was problematic for me.

 

Naturally, I have work backed up while I'm waiting for the new media. I think I will look into getting the Sony repaired as a backup (I could then use my stock of blanks, too).

 

I am simply delighted to have taken suggestions from bulletin boards that praised Plextor and to find this particular problem. Funny that a drive that is supposed to be so good has such particular tastes.

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions,