External DVD or internal with Case (replacement of a 3540+Case)

Muageto · 14-03-2006

Hello,

I bought an external dvd burner made of a Nec 3540 and an Advance BX-Combo (apparently same as a BX-509U but with firewire support) for the enclosure. But the whole passed out 2 or 3 months ago. I suspect the case here, considering the fact that the drivers was still able to burn while I was beginning to have some problems with the drive being disconnected.
Today, I finally decided to call the hotline of the shop where I bought it (RueDuCommerce for french people, if there are any here ). Since they don't make/sell (yes both parts were assembled by them) this model, they will give me a refund to spend one their website.

So I'll have around 90€ (or $ approx) to spend. I started to see what they offer, and I found some models. I'm ready to spend a bit more into it.

Currently, I would have to choose between several models :
+ HP 840e => 104€
+ LG GSA-2166D => 80€
- LiteOn 1673SU (well if it's a better choice) => 125€

(internal with an enclosure)
+ NEC 4550A => 45.50€ (no kidding )
+ LG 4167 => 44€
+ NEC 4551A => 47€
- Lite-On SHM-165P6S-09C (don't know it)

As for the enclosure, I was thinking of :
- Advance BX-509U (don't know the chip)
- Advance BX-Combo (same as before => Oxford Chip)
+ ThermalTake Muse A2293

I always burn Verbatim media, so quality won't be a problem.

Do you have any good advice ?
Thanks

*agent009* · 15-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muageto

Currently, I would have to choose between several models :
+ HP 840e => 104€
+ LG GSA-2166D => 80€
- LiteOn 1673SU (well if it's a better choice) => 125€

I would pick 2166D from this list, it's a good performer, a good-looking drive, and the low price makes it simply irresistible.

__________________
Frequently used/favorite: BenQ 1640 1800 LG H22N H42N Sony BWU-100A
Occasionally used/retired: BenQ 1620 DQ60 1655 1680 LG 4163B 4166B H10N H50N H55N Lite-On 165P6S 18A1P 20A1P NEC 3540A Pioneer A09XL 110 111D 112D Plextor 716A Samsung S182D S203B Sony 820A

hermes_vb · 16-03-2006

No love for the NEC's...Interesting. LOL

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*agomes* · 16-03-2006

The external LG is just USB 2.0, so it depends if you want also firewire connection ( as I do).

No ref about the USB chips in the enclosure?
There were some discussions around about chipsets/recording speed, so look at it if this is important and you require the drive can do 16x or close to it.

THe drive you have to choose. I got the NEC 4551 - no problems so far
By the time I bought it I looked also at the LGs, and some people said to me that they got technical problems (requiring after sales repair) - but it eas just that, people's opinion, no personal confirmation.
Therefore it is not so easy to formulate a sound recommendation.

Muageto · 16-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermes_vb

No love for the NEC's...Interesting. LOL

Don't unerstand what you mean. Do you want to say you think NEC are no good ? ^^

Well Agomes, at the moment, the problem is that the only firewire capable enclosure the shop has is the advance one which looks a lot like mine that had crap oxford chips (well for my notebook at least). Firewire was then slower than USB (obtained 19M burst on USB, whereas only 14M on FW). I don't know whether the problem is only the chip of the enclosure, or the controller of my notebook being crap too (don't know its name, "generic" I think). Well the shop sells generic enclosures too, but I don't know which chip they have so ....

By the way, the thermaltake has a Cypress AT2+ chip in it. Oh and here the prices (forgot them sorry).

As for the enclosure, I was thinking of :
- Advance BX-509U (don't know the chip) => 29.95€
- Advance BX-Combo (same as before => Oxford Chip 911 and another oxford (910 I think)) => 43.40€
+ ThermalTake Muse A2293 => 58.54€

Well they offer some Icy Box enclosure too, but I heard they are crap, so I didn't bother mentioning them (plus, they're quite expensive : 41.45€ USB only and 70.47€ USB/FW).

Edit : Yeah find where I heard Icy Box were crap, on "The big enclosure thread". I thought so but couldn't find my post in it until now ^^. IB use Oxford + ALI if they didn't change since late May 2005.

Last edited by Muageto; 16-03-2006 at 13:25.

hermes_vb · 16-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muageto

Don't unerstand what you mean. Do you want to say you think NEC are no good ?

Nope. I was just surprised NEC was not a recommendation because they are good ones and cheap too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muageto

By the way, the thermaltake has a Cypress AT2+ chip in it.

Stay away from that chip. It's total crap!!!

__________________
If I always hear voices surrounding me, does it mean I'm crazy or that I hear in Dolby 5.1?

Muageto · 16-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermes_vb

Nope. I was just surprised NEC was not a recommendation because they are good ones and cheap too.
[...]

Ok, I agree ^^

Well seems like I can choose between crap and crap (about the enclusures I mean) if I go for an internal burner with an enclosure. Well it narrows the choice ^^ Still HP 840e, LG 2166 and LiteOn SOHW-1673SU left.
Too bad, I like Nec drives.

Last edited by Muageto; 16-03-2006 at 23:06.

Muageto · 20-03-2006

Hmm interesting, my brother who bought an external burner made by the shop (based on their cheapest enclosure and a nec 3550) told me the chip in the enclosure (which is made by Heden anyway) is a PL-3507 (05208A).
That brings back the interest in building the whole system, instead of buying an external one (LG2166D I think).
By the way, the shop seems to sell (well soon) Nec 4571A. What about it against the other. I saw it's a new hardware but has good comments on it.

External DVD or internal with Case (replacement of a 3540+Case)

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