Burn-proof cdrw drives: Any good?

[moebius]

I'm thinking of chucking my creative 6-4-24 and getting one of those burn-proof cdrw's. Are they any good? What's a good (read:cheap) brand? I have a limited budget. I looked on ebay and it looks like i can get one of those lite-on or iomega cdrw's for around $110. Are these good burn-proof drives?

[golfcart]

I have read that the Iomega is a remarked Plextor. Also read that the Lite-On performs just as well as the Plextor. I would not be afraid to buy one at the prices they are now.
The Lite-On 12x10x32x can be had for under $100. Happy shopping.

[moebius]

golfcart- Under $100?? Where?

[golfcart]

newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=5&manufactory=1336) Has it for $98 + $5 shipping. Thats about the going price. Guess I was off by a few dollars. Still a good deal.

[SoopaStar]

I have one of the first iomega burn proof drives (12-4-32) and recently installed an imation 12-10-32 in my GF's PC. They work VERY well. howerver, it really depends on what you are doing and what OS. I have noticed that under Windows 2000 on my PC if I burn at 12x and use EZ CD 4 or 5, the buffer drops to 5-20%, utilizing the BURN proof. This is completely unacceptable when burning a music cd (the burn proof creates gaps in the music). I was pretty surprised that the CDRW did that. I have an 800mhz PIII 800 and 512mb ram.
In my gf's duron 650 with 128 mb ram, the imation burns fine at 12x with the buffer around 75-100% when the PC is not in use.
So, I would reccomend the unit to you, just don't expect spectacular results if your PC isnt fast. The burn proof technology sucks the life out of the processor when the buffer dips too low.
Paul

[Ed_S]

Well, I for one don't think much of the newer drives!
Got a Teac 16-10-40 over Memorial weekend to replace my ancient Sony 2X CDR (no W)
Fought with it for over ten hrs, caused TONS of system probs. Never did get a burn to work.
Finally gave up, took it back as faulty & got another of the same.
This one WILL burn, but has caused new problems!


It's likely I'll reinstall the 2X Sony, it's worked reliably for years.
Regardless of theoretical capability, the one that WORKS is always faster than the one that DOESN'T. One hr burn time may be ridiculous today, but it's far better than several hrs of configuring so the @#$ thing can do it's 5 minute burn!

[Fingers]

Plextor makes the best CD burner... PERIOD, but you're not likely to find a BURN-Proof Plex that cheap. The 12/10/32 can be found for around $150 I believe.

BURN-Proof means that the CD laser can stop writing to the disc if the buffer runs empty and then resume when the buffer is restored, it does not in any way prevent the buffer from running out. A non-burnproof drive can't do this, so if the buffer runs empty... the laser kepts right on burning... and you've got yourself a "coaster".

Sorry, I can't make any recommendations other than the Plextor. I haven't found anybody that owned a Plex 12/10/32 or 16/10/40 that wasn't thrilled with it.

BTW, the PlexWriter 16/10/40A didn't just win PC World's "Best CD-RW Drive" it won "Product of the Year" too.


PS... PC World also reports that CD-R media may triple in cost this summer... so you might want to stock up.

[Smokey]

Yup, I have a Plextor 12/10/32A and BURN-Proof is definately a good thing. Haven't made a coaster due to buffer underruns (ever) with this drive. The drive is just awesome as well - superfast, etc.

[SoopaStar]

Fingers: you got a link for that article? I wouldnt mind reading it.

Paul

[OuTpaTienT]

I have a burn-proof Sony. It has worked flawlessly. Of course I usually don't continue to use the system while it's burning, at most I'll just surf the web. I mean heck, if you can't pull yourself away from your computer for 10 minutes while it burns a CD then you have some serious issues. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[golfcart]

I have the plextor 12/10/32a and I love it. Only time it will write a coaster is if I try to write mp3 directly to cd without converting first. I think it is the fact that I am using a K6-2 333. It only does it with Eazy CD and not NTI, but NTI seems to take all resources so I can't do anything else while burning. Anyways the drive is awesome. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Richard_Cranium72]

You guys hurt my feelings, sniff sniff

Does NOBODY ever read steals & deals ?

www.techbargains.com (http://www.techbargains.com)
$15 off
and
the $20 Rebate

Get a Plextor for about $120.00 , s&h usually runs $5-6.00

But TODAY it's free !!
http://www.us.buy.com/retail/computers/product.asp?sku=10252769&loc=447

[NavyDood_ F/A18_Mech]

A friend of mine here at work has the Iomega "burn-proof" 12x10x32. (I'm pretty sure those are the speeds).

He burns disks all the time while playing Decent3 online. He hasn't made but a couple of coasters doing this.

Jim

[moebius]

Guys. Thanx for all the responses. I guess getting the burn-proof burner is virtually a no-brainer.
Richard_Cranium72 - Thanx for the link. I may go with it. I'm sorry i didn't check out the steals n deals section. This'll teach me to pay closer attention to that section.
NavyDood - i'm not sure playing a cpu/hd intensive game like descent is a good idea while burning a disc. 'Just a few coasters'? To me, even that is quite unacceptable. I want ZERO coasters. I just feel that if i'm going to pay a couple of hundred bucks for something, it should work as advertised.
(BTW, on a side note: these darned 'coasters' don't even make good coasters!! :-()

[Fingers]

Paul, which one the "Best Of" awards, or the CD-R media?

...nevermind, here's all of them.

World Class Awards: Best of 2001 (http://www.pcworld.com/features/article/0,aid,50427,00.asp) - PCWorld.com

- Product of the Year (http://www.pcworld.com/features/article/0,aid,50427,pg,2,00.asp)
- Best CD-RW Drive (http://www.pcworld.com/features/article/0,aid,50427,pg,4,00.asp)


CD-R Media Prices to Triple This Summer (http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,49504,00.asp) - PCWorld.com

[Gomer]

I have an iomega 12x10x32 which I got around Christmas for $99. It is indeed a rebadged Plex. However, they switched to rebadged Sanyos in Feb or so. Burnproof works great, no coasters.

[NavyDood_ F/A18_Mech]

Like I said. He burns while playing games and he knows the risks. If you play games and burn at the same time, well then i guess a few coasters are to be expected.