You are correct, the 163 is a read-only device, a DVD-ROM; the 8481B is a CD/RW device, a CD-R & CD-RW burner. You will have to break down and purchase a DVD+/-RW drive. Our Regulars will suggest you keep the DVD-ROM as your work-horse and replace the 8481B. The favorites we see here, are Plextor, Pioneer, Retail NEC and Lite-on; the on-line shopping site, New Egg Also just as a note: Cyberlink software is a decoder, its function is for playing DVD`s, not creating them.
Best Regards!
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link
I saw a couple of those recommended DVD burners on New Egg. They all seem good, & right around the same price. Any preferences, especially considering my computer? Most seem around $40-$50, what's the main difference in one that's higher priced like the Plextor IDE?
Basically I spent yesterday trying to put together a compilation of videos I've taped & downloaded both off another DVD & my new JVC Hard Disk Camcorder (Everio), now I need to burn them to a DVD-R to make copies of this compilation.
I'm looking at the Plextor IDE, Model PX-740A/ XW-BL - Retail. I thought I read in one of the reviews said its not compatible with Windows XP, everything else. Is 8M vastly different from 2M? The cache, that's the speed, right? Oh, and call me stupid, but is this an external of internal unit?
Sorry for all the inquiries, I'm just inexperienced & want to get the right one.
Some people will tell you there is no difference between Plextor (higher price) than any other drive; however from my experience with the drives and my opinion only, difference between a Lexus & Ford Pinto. Now with that said, the NEC (retail) and the Pioneer in that price range do a very good job and well received / trusted by our Regulars.
Best Regards!
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link
Plextor has traditionally used Sanyo chipsets in their drives and have had a reputation of making the "Cadillacs" of drives....and priced accordingly. However, with the Plextor 740 they have produced a "Chevrolet" of drives, one based on the Philips/BenQ chipset. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but the 740 is still priced much more than comporable drives from Philips/BenQ.
So, as I understand it, the Plextor 740A is a good DVD burner for me. I don't need the 8M so I'll settle for the 2M. I guess it is internal, but they give you all you need to self-install.
Last thing, what's the difference between the SW-BL - Retail & the BP-BL - OEM? What does OEM even stand for?
Original Equipment Manufacturer. The original manufacturer of a hardware component or sub-component. OEM drives come as bare drives, no cables, software, or manuals. They are usually cheaper and a good deal if you already have software and don't have a need for the extra cable. Sometimes Newegg will bundle an OEM drive with a software disk, usually Nero 6.
Predator
2 Intern
•
15.3K Posts
0
March 2nd, 2006 09:00
Hi DBcoffee,
You are correct, the 163 is a read-only device, a DVD-ROM; the 8481B is a CD/RW device, a CD-R & CD-RW burner.
You will have to break down and purchase a DVD+/-RW drive. Our Regulars will suggest you keep the DVD-ROM as your work-horse and replace the 8481B.
The favorites we see here, are Plextor, Pioneer, Retail NEC and Lite-on; the on-line shopping site, New Egg
Also just as a note: Cyberlink software is a decoder, its function is for playing DVD`s, not creating them.
Best Regards!
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link
dbcoffee
14 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2006 17:00
Message Edited by dbcoffee on 03-02-2006 01:57 PM
dbcoffee
14 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2006 19:00
I'm looking at the Plextor IDE, Model PX-740A/ XW-BL - Retail. I thought I read in one of the reviews said its not compatible with Windows XP, everything else. Is 8M vastly different from 2M? The cache, that's the speed, right? Oh, and call me stupid, but is this an external of internal unit?
Sorry for all the inquiries, I'm just inexperienced & want to get the right one.
Message Edited by dbcoffee on 03-02-2006 03:50 PM
Predator
2 Intern
•
15.3K Posts
0
March 2nd, 2006 19:00
Hi Dbcoffee,
Some people will tell you there is no difference between Plextor (higher price) than any other drive; however from my experience with the drives and my opinion only, difference between a Lexus & Ford Pinto. Now with that said, the NEC (retail) and the Pioneer in that price range do a very good job and well received / trusted by our Regulars.
Best Regards!
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link
Message Edited by Predator on 03-02-2006 04:09 PM
davejohn
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
March 2nd, 2006 23:00
Plextor has traditionally used Sanyo chipsets in their drives and have had a reputation of making the "Cadillacs" of drives....and priced accordingly. However, with the Plextor 740 they have produced a "Chevrolet" of drives, one based on the Philips/BenQ chipset. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but the 740 is still priced much more than comporable drives from Philips/BenQ.
You can read a review of the Plextor 740 here.
Dave
dbcoffee
14 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2006 00:00
So, as I understand it, the Plextor 740A is a good DVD burner for me. I don't need the 8M so I'll settle for the 2M. I guess it is internal, but they give you all you need to self-install.
Last thing, what's the difference between the SW-BL - Retail & the BP-BL - OEM? What does OEM even stand for?
Message Edited by dbcoffee on 03-02-2006 08:24 PM
davejohn
2 Intern
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2.5K Posts
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March 3rd, 2006 10:00
dbcoffee
14 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2006 17:00
Thank you both for all the help! Ordered the Retail 740A last night, & we'll see how it goes from there.