CD-RW reliability and recommendation?

[PaulSinclair]

Choosing a CD-RW...since it's expensive, can anyone help with advice on reliable, durable writers which are well built, more likely to keep going in the long-term and don't make coasters by the dozen if the system setup isn't perfect /forum/smile.gif

(There's almost *no* up-to-date user reviews on the web that I can find for most of these. Looked on sysopt, anandtech, sharky, reviewbooth, cnet... Where are they?)

Manufacturers/models I'm considering include: HP 9110i, Plextor, Yamaha, possibly sony or phillips. Spec is about (24-32)x(4-8)x4x. Low R/RW use but needs all std features you'd expect. Price - well, let's call it pretty budget...

And if anyone knows where products like these are being reviewed on the web, spill the beans please! /forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by PaulSinclair (edited 11-27-1999).]

[codybear]

http://www.cdpage.com/

I;m kinda brain dead tonight and this is all I have at the moment...all the rest of my links are on my other system and its doing some long overdue maintance

[johnpaul]

Hi Paul,
Here's (http://www.hostclub.net/reviews/hp8110i.html) a review on a HP, and also one on a Yamaha (http://www.hostclub.net/reviews/yamaha4416.html).
While no one can guarantee how long a product will last, I have found Yamaha products to be well-built and reliable. I recently purchased a Yamaha CRW6416SX SCSI from BUY.COM. I'm still straightening out the learning curve, I'm very pleased with it.

JP

[This message has been edited by johnpaul (edited 11-26-1999).]

[pickel]

If you hurry and I mean hurry, go to CompUSA they have a Philips Model# PCRW40 4K01 on sale for $129.95 plus tax. Just bought one about an hour ago. Better hurry if you can. Good Luck /forum/smile.gif

the pickel

[PaulSinclair]

Thanks everyone. FYI there's now a CD-RW review of current models at:
"http://www.pcworld.com/top400/article/0,1361,13900,00.html" (if it moves, search their site!)

Now I'm narrowed down to HP 9110i (replaces 8210), Yamaha 4616 or Plextor 8432TI. The HP and Plextor are 32x8x4 IDE whereas Yamaha's is 16x6x4 SCSI. Prices here in the UK are identical.

I'll probably go for the Yamaha - everyone (and I mean everyone) I spoke to likes Yamaha. Maybe they're not the absolutest top speed dog, but every dam' dealer I asked named them as #1 for build and reliability. Well, ok, a few dealers actually put them joint #1 (with Plextor or in one case HP). If true, that's worth missing out on a touch of performance, isn't it?

Are they right? Or am I missing out on some free 32x8x4x performance and excellent software bundles by being over-cautious?

[This message has been edited by PaulSinclair (edited 11-27-1999).]

[Target]

I have had experiences with Richo, Plextor, Yamaha, HP, and Phillips burners.......all of them SCSI though.

Out of all those, I would say that only the Phillips was a mistake. Absolutely not a good product.

Best of the bunch hands-down was the Plextor! Very high MTBF (mean time between failures), great mastering software bundles, and fast. Yamaha, HP, and Richo were good as well, but the Plextor was the cream of the crop.

If the price is the same or close, I'd definitely recommend the Plextor. You won't be sorry.

[CocoPops]

Don't know if I'm too late, but I would go with the other guys who recommended the Yamaha 4416/6416/8416 etc drives.

I have the external SCSI version, which in theory should have ben the hard one to set up, but it was one of the easiest things to get working, even easier than my USB Webcam, DOH!!!!

Lee
aka CocoPops

[Underclocked]

See also http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/002484.html for more ideas. I have the HP 9110i and am pleased. The S&F represent good value if you get the right models.

[PaulSinclair]

Thanx Coco - not too late /forum/smile.gif

Any final votes between Plextor 8432TI (32x8x4x IDE) and Yamaha 6416 (16x6x4x SCSI), same price?

I've already figured both are reliable, well-built etc etc as well as that SCSI may make fewer coasters or run smoother.

Does anyone else have experience with these brands/models...is there a difference in **build/driver quality**, **longevity** or **reliability**? If none then I'll go for the faster drive ie Plextor. If there's a hint that Yamaha is better built or more durable/reliable I'll sacrifice 32x8x and play safe.

Votes/opinions please?

[This message has been edited by PaulSinclair (edited 11-27-1999).]

[codybear]

I have a yamaha ide and have made over a 1000 cds with at the most a dozen coasters..I also have a HP that I've yet to make a coaster with...it is a scuzzy...and a phillips ide that is as good as the yamaha and it is also an ide....alot depends on your software...your memory...your harddrive speed...and your understanding of the burning process....I would go with Yamaha and would not spend the extra for scuzzy...you will find the ide to be as reliable
http://www.gamecopyworld.com/

go look around here..they have some great links
dont let speed be the determining factor...Yamaha has been around awhile and their track record speaks for itself...go for the Yamaha


[This message has been edited by codybear (edited 11-27-1999).]

[Underclocked]

A tiny factor you might consider is the price of media. Right now you'll pay a little more for the 8X stuff. 6X Sony discs are everywhere.