Well, I had major CD-RW recognition/writing problems with my SD-R5372, and sent it back for repairs. The new one that Toshiba returned SEEMS TO BE WORSE! Right now, with TU56/55/53, it tends to have a thing for burning quite a few errors on Philips (CMC) 12x CD-RWs. Also, it either fails to burn some Verbatim (CMC) CD-Rs (hangs at lead-in) or burns them slowly (4x), OR burns them fast, but with C2 errors and worse...
Also, 4x burning of Verbatim DVD+RW gets me a nice barrage of read errors too (when Nero verifies the disk).
I've had none of these problems with the SD-R5372 3 months ago, and the previous Toshiba that I used, the SD-R5272, STILL has no probs.
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I'd consider this post a work in PROGRESS, as I will test the current repaired SD-R5372 with some more CD/DVD media I have around. The important thing to note, however, is that I DID NOT have these problems when the I had the new SD-R5372... that pretty much sums it up
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I have quite a few Verbatim 16x DVD+Rs and DVD-Rs (from sales), and am now kinda considering the Lite-on SOHW-1693S, but still have to call Toshiba (and have them tell me that I won't get a refund). Btw, BenQ's drives have cought my eye (for quality AND quality testing), but am still unsure what to go for if I end up buying a new drive.
I am considering the $50 range (say, at newegg.com) for a drive that offers good CD and DVD writing quality, and (if possible) is at least a 2 sheep CD burner...