To creative or not creative

[washe]

Well im buying a new drive for my cd-rom needs, so im thinking on getting one DVD, so i was looking for DVD'S readers a i found those creative encore 12X, with decoder card?
Are these drives good? or there is another good brand?
Because creative has a good reputation in the sound deparment.
I already have a soundblaster live value, very good card..

Thanx

[daveleau]

They are not bad drives but I believe I would rather go for a Pioneer or Toshiba DVD-rom. What is your video card? Do you really need a DVD decoder? You can get one of the above drives bare for under $100.

Dave

edit...darn keyboard

[This message has been edited by daveleau (edited 04-30-2001).]

[F4_Hunter]

I've had good success with Creative CD-ROMs in having owned three. Although I don’t think they’re necessarily speed demons the trays don’t jam and they function pretty well. I actually own the 6X version of the Creative Encore. The decoder card that came with it works pretty well but the colors are a little washed out. I’d say go for software decoding if you’re system can handle it.

F4

[This message has been edited by F4_Hunter (edited 04-30-2001).]

[NDD]

I used ASUS DVD drive (x12,x40) and it worked fine for me, also very fast CD performer (and quiet). And you don't need decoder card if you got good videocard (V3/GF/GF2/ATI128/RADEON/MATROX G series)

Best Regards ...

[thekingofpain]

I recently purchased an Aopen 16XDVDPro retail for under a 100$ and love it, quiet and fast...

[washe]

I forgot system specs:

Pentium III 800
Voodoo 5500
Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live Value
128 Mb ram
20 gig maxtor drive
If i go for software decoding there is a Ovation for 100 bucks

[NDD]

Your system fine enought not to buy decoder card, go with ordinary DVD drive, and use the soft which comes with it, WinDVD (most popular) gives you everything you need ...

Best Regards ...