I need some cd burner help guys.

[Dave]

I'm about to take the plunge and buy a new cd burner.

Does brand name really matter all that much as I'm going to be using EAC anyways?

The price differences are huge. I can buy an Ace for about $150.00 but the bottom end Plextor is $250.00 (Canadian dollars guys).:confused:

[Claviusb]

Originally posted by Dave
I'm about to take the plunge and buy a new cd burner.

Does brand name really matter all that much as I'm going to be using EAC anyways?

The price differences are huge. I can buy an Ace for about $150.00 but the bottom end Plextor is $250.00 (Canadian dollars guys).:confused:

It's not a MUST that you use a Plextor. You can use pretty much any burner with EAC, just keep in mind that you *may* not be able to take advantage of all of EACs features (read: get very fast extractions) such as Surestream and C2 error correction-- which are nicer features, but they must come at some price. I know the Sony doesn't have C2 error correction and if the disc is scratched it will take EAC quite a while to read *some* discs (but I also know someone who uses a Sony together wth EAC with excellant results). When I originally installled EAC I didn't tweak it to my drive and some extractions took a long time. I enabled the C2 correction and EAC does Secure Mode extractions as fast as every other software I've used. Just my 2¢.

Hopefully someone who uses another brand that has Surestream and C2 Error Correction will respond to this thread.

[Dave B]

Dave - I noticed that on the EAC website they recommend the Plextor drive. I assume the software has been tested and optimized for this drive. If you plan to burn alot of CD-Rs it might be worth the extra money in the long run. On the other hand I have burned several discs on my sony drive using EAC with no problems. So I guess it's your choice and your money.

[pigmode]

As an alternative to Plextor I would consider Teac or Lite-On. Both have had great reviews and user comments. If you shop around online they can be found way cheap.

http://www.cdrlabs.com/

[mcow1]

I do believe (from some pc tech sites) that the Teac and the plextor are one and the same drive with a different name tacked on.

[Sckott]

Certain models, yes.

For 2nd placers, I would rank most HP CD Writers as well as recent Sonys to also be very reliable.

Keep away from most recent Yamaha, Acer and Samsung (No-name brands, AKA Pacific Digital). I've seen so, so many writers, and the Plextor is tops, generally. HPs and Sonys come as a close 2nd and 3rd, but in most places, you can get a Plextor for the same price as most Hps (non SCSI).

[Claviusb]

Originally posted by Sckott
HPs and Sonys come as a close 2nd and 3rd, but in most places, you can get a Plextor for the same price as most Hps (non SCSI).

When I researched purchasing CD burners I thought one of the things I discovered were that the HPs were made by Sony. But I might be misremembering that too!

[mcow1]

Take a look at tomshardware.com under storage. There is an article there comparing different burners. Tom's usually has very reliable articles and comparisons with tough benchmarking.

[Craig]

Originally posted by Claviusb


When I researched purchasing CD burners I thought one of the things I discovered were that the HPs were made by Sony. But I might be misremembering that too!

I know my HP8100 has a Sony mechanism and some other HP's use Sony's too. Probably varies from model to model. If my HP ever dies, I'll probably try a Plextor.

-Craig

[Evan]

You can't go wrong with a Plextor! Some of the best money I have ever spent.:)

[Dan]

Stay away from Iomega.

[Dave]

Thanks alot guys. I'm going to get the Plextor 12/10/32A :D

[mcow1]

oops! meant TDK not TEAC

[Tony Caldwell]

Dave,

I just bought a 12/10/32A about a month ago, and I love it!! I think that you made a good choice! Let us know how you like it!

Good luck,

Tony