choosing a DVD burner

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jo-Anne Naples
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Jo-Anne Naples

I've decided, with help from people here, that I can install a DVD burner in
my 5-year-old Dell desktop computer (with Windows XP SP3 and an IDE internal
hard drive) rather than having it done at a local shop.

Newegg sells the "Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-115DBK -
OEM." Is this drive likely to be a good fit with my computer? (I don't need
a slim drive, right?)

Also, does "OEM" mean it's missing something that a non-OEM drive would
have? One of the reviews said the drive doesn't come with software--but the
same was said of at least one other burner that was listed as "Retail." (As
I mentioned in another post, I have the old Easy CD Creator 5, which can
burn data onto DVDs.)

Thanks much!

Jo-Anne
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided, with help from people here, that I can install a DVD burner in
my 5-year-old Dell desktop computer (with Windows XP SP3 and an IDE internal
hard drive) rather than having it done at a local shop.

Newegg sells the "Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-115DBK -
OEM." Is this drive likely to be a good fit with my computer? (I don't need
a slim drive, right?)

Also, does "OEM" mean it's missing something that a non-OEM drive would
have? One of the reviews said the drive doesn't come with software--but the
same was said of at least one other burner that was listed as "Retail." (As
I mentioned in another post, I have the old Easy CD Creator 5, which can
burn data onto DVDs.)

Thanks much!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...


The drive should be fine...
however if your Easy CD Creator was bundled (or included) with another drive
you had previously
purchased...it may not work with your new burner...
so you *might* be better off purchasing a non-OEM drive that does come with
it's own software
 
Thank you, Philo! The program came with my Dell rather than with a specific
drive, so I don't THINK it was bundled. But I should probably get new
software anyway, since the old program is limited in its DVD burning
capability. I'll look at drives that come with software.

Jo-Anne
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided, with help from people here, that I can install a DVD burner in
my 5-year-old Dell desktop computer (with Windows XP SP3 and an IDE internal
hard drive) rather than having it done at a local shop.

Newegg sells the "Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-115DBK -
OEM." Is this drive likely to be a good fit with my computer? (I don't need
a slim drive, right?)

Also, does "OEM" mean it's missing something that a non-OEM drive would
have? One of the reviews said the drive doesn't come with software--but the
same was said of at least one other burner that was listed as "Retail." (As
I mentioned in another post, I have the old Easy CD Creator 5, which can
burn data onto DVDs.)

Thanks much!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
OEM means it comes with nothing. OEM *implies* you have the knowledge
to install and support a product. Like XP OEM software, you would
support the OS and not be able to call Microsoft.
Thus OEM probably does not come with any package software or screws.
Nero and Roxio have changed so much in past years, I'd steer you to buy
a Retail version, not OEM.
 
Thank you, Al! Is it likely the screws from the old drive (I'm replacing a
DVD read-only drive) will work on the new one?

Jo-Anne
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
Thank you, Al! Is it likely the screws from the old drive (I'm replacing a
DVD read-only drive) will work on the new one?

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...

Very good chance. If not, a standard hardware store should have them.
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided, with help from people here, that I can install a DVD burner in
my 5-year-old Dell desktop computer (with Windows XP SP3 and an IDE internal
hard drive) rather than having it done at a local shop.

Newegg sells the "Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-115DBK -
OEM." Is this drive likely to be a good fit with my computer? (I don't need
a slim drive, right?)

Also, does "OEM" mean it's missing something that a non-OEM drive would
have? One of the reviews said the drive doesn't come with software--but the
same was said of at least one other burner that was listed as "Retail." (As
I mentioned in another post, I have the old Easy CD Creator 5, which can
burn data onto DVDs.)

Thanks much!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...

What is actually being replaced? Is the present Dell CD drive a
CD-RW + DVD-ROM? And what applications came with the Dell for using
the CD/DVD drive? OEM stands for "Original Equipment Manufacturer".
An "OEM" drive implies that only the drive is sold, i.e., minus
cables, software, etc. Moreover, Easy CD Creator 5 might not run
well, if at all, with Windows XP + SP3. (We have encountered issues
with Eash CD Creator 6 after the SP3 update.)

It does not cost that much more to buy the retail version of the same
DVD drive. Getting the applications that will run with the DVD drive
will be beneficial. The otherwise alternative would be to search for
freeware or shareware applications, especially for burning, from the
Internet, such as CDBurnerXP Ver. 4.
 
Thank you, Ghostrider!

I have two optical drives; both came installed in my Dell Dimension 8250.
According to Device Manager, the drives are

NEC DVD+RW ND1100A
Samsung DVD-ROM SD-616T

What I want to replace is the read-only drive. My understanding from Dell is
that the D: drive is a DVD read-only and the E: drive is a CD writable. I've
been using Easy CD Creator 5 to write to the E: drive even after installing
Windows XP SP3. So far, no problems.

None of the burners at Newegg mention software, even the ones that say
"Retail" rather than "OEM"; I also checked the Pioneer website and noted
that only a couple of the DVD burners indicated that they had software (in
Pioneer's case, they're including Nero). One review at Newegg of a retail
burner said it didn't include software, and another review I read earlier
said the included software was a 30-day trial version.

Thank you again,

Jo-Anne
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
Thank you, Ghostrider!

I have two optical drives; both came installed in my Dell Dimension 8250.
According to Device Manager, the drives are

NEC DVD+RW ND1100A
Samsung DVD-ROM SD-616T

What I want to replace is the read-only drive. My understanding from Dell
is that the D: drive is a DVD read-only and the E: drive is a CD writable.
I've been using Easy CD Creator 5 to write to the E: drive even after
installing Windows XP SP3. So far, no problems.

None of the burners at Newegg mention software, even the ones that say
"Retail" rather than "OEM"; I also checked the Pioneer website and noted
that only a couple of the DVD burners indicated that they had software (in
Pioneer's case, they're including Nero). One review at Newegg of a retail
burner said it didn't include software, and another review I read earlier
said the included software was a 30-day trial version.

Thank you again,

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...

Since you already have a DVD /RW drive,
there would be no need to add another (unless your original is defective)
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
Thank you, Ghostrider!

I have two optical drives; both came installed in my Dell Dimension 8250.
According to Device Manager, the drives are

NEC DVD+RW ND1100A
Samsung DVD-ROM SD-616T

What I want to replace is the read-only drive. My understanding from Dell is
that the D: drive is a DVD read-only and the E: drive is a CD writable. I've
been using Easy CD Creator 5 to write to the E: drive even after installing
Windows XP SP3. So far, no problems.

None of the burners at Newegg mention software, even the ones that say
"Retail" rather than "OEM"; I also checked the Pioneer website and noted
that only a couple of the DVD burners indicated that they had software (in
Pioneer's case, they're including Nero). One review at Newegg of a retail
burner said it didn't include software, and another review I read earlier
said the included software was a 30-day trial version.

Thank you again,

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
I find it a gamble. Some actually write it on the box and in the ad.
Some don't and still supply it, then the latter where they don't say
it and don't supply it.
New Egg has Roxio with free shipping if its an issue.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832110219
But I got a drive about 3 generations back that came with Nero (my
preference) and you know, I've been loading that version 5 for the past
3 years, now on XP SP3 and it still works, even with new drives.
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
Thank you, Ghostrider!

I have two optical drives; both came installed in my Dell Dimension 8250.
According to Device Manager, the drives are

NEC DVD+RW ND1100A
Samsung DVD-ROM SD-616T

What I want to replace is the read-only drive. My understanding from Dell is
that the D: drive is a DVD read-only and the E: drive is a CD writable. I've
been using Easy CD Creator 5 to write to the E: drive even after installing
Windows XP SP3. So far, no problems.

None of the burners at Newegg mention software, even the ones that say
"Retail" rather than "OEM"; I also checked the Pioneer website and noted
that only a couple of the DVD burners indicated that they had software (in
Pioneer's case, they're including Nero). One review at Newegg of a retail
burner said it didn't include software, and another review I read earlier
said the included software was a 30-day trial version.

Thank you again,
Click to expand...

You are probably OK since the Pioneer is replacing the Samsung and
there is already the NEC DVD+RW drive present. If Easy CD Creator 5
is running OK, then it should also be able to see the new Pioneer DVD.
No new software seems to be really needed unless Adaptec/Roxio had
crippled the version of ECDC 5 that is being licensed to Dell as an
OEM, limiting it to the Dell-supplied NEC. If this is the case, then
there are more current versions of ECDC (present revision is 10) and
others, depending on the functions you want. I found CDBurnerXP Ver. 4
to be pretty decent.

Good luck.
 
Hmm... I never checked, but what Dell said was that the NEC drive burns CDs
but does not burn DVDs. Is that incorrect? I've never bought DVDs to play
with, since I assumed all I had was a DVD reader.

Jo-Anne
 
I've decided, with help from people here, that I can install a DVD burner in
my 5-year-old Dell desktop computer (with Windows XP SP3 and an IDE internal
hard drive) rather than having it done at a local shop.

Newegg sells the "Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-115DBK -
OEM." Is this drive likely to be a good fit with my computer? (I don't need
a slim drive, right?)

Also, does "OEM" mean it's missing something that a non-OEM drive would
have? One of the reviews said the drive doesn't come with software--but the
same was said of at least one other burner that was listed as "Retail." (As
I mentioned in another post, I have the old Easy CD Creator 5, which can
burn data onto DVDs.)

Thanks much!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
WHAT DVD unit you buy has NOTHING to do with the OS and the topic is
out of place HERE.

Ask elsewhere
 
Thank you, Al! I'll get a batch of DVDs and try it out. If it's as slow as I
think it'll be, I'll probably still replace the drive. But it's good to know
I can use it if I have to.

Jo-Anne
 
Thank you again, Al! I guess if I don't get software with the new burner and
my current software works, great. If not, I can always buy another program
or download one of the free ones.

Jo-Anne
 
| Hmm... I never checked, but what Dell said was that the NEC drive burns
CDs
| but does not burn DVDs. Is that incorrect? I've never bought DVDs to play
| with, since I assumed all I had was a DVD reader.
|
| Jo-Anne
|
|

The NEC 1100A Is a writer. In fact I have that very model in my Dimension
8200. It's a real klunker. (the NEC drive that is) It is/was an early
generation drive from when DVD writing was very new.

It only writes +R and +RW DVD media. It will not write to -R or -RW. It is
not dual layer capable and it's slow. (4x write speed) Current models are in
the 20x range, write to both formats and do double layer. It was even
finicky about what brands of media it liked. TDK worked Memorex didn't.

The + vs. -R distinction isn't nearly as important as it used to be but, is
need to know if your drive only supports one or the other. (so you don't buy
the wrong blank media)

(some stuff on DVD formats http://www.videohelp.com/dvd )

What you've got will work but for very little money you can get a much
better drive.

I guess if it were me I'd get a small number of DVD +R discs and give it a
go. If it does what you want then save the trouble. If you start right off
getting disc write errors, lockups, media not recognized etc.. it's probably
the drive.

PS I hesitate to do product/brand recommendations as what works well for me
may not be to your liking. Read the user reviews and make a judgment. I see
NewEgg has some Liteon drives for cheap with free shipping. Those have
worked well for me.
 
": >
: WHAT DVD unit you buy has NOTHING to do with the OS and the topic is
: out of place HERE.
:
: Ask elsewhere
:
Bullshit.
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided, with help from people here, that I can install a DVD burner
in my 5-year-old Dell desktop computer (with Windows XP SP3 and an IDE
internal hard drive) rather than having it done at a local shop.

Newegg sells the "Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model
DVR-115DBK - OEM." Is this drive likely to be a good fit with my computer?
(I don't need a slim drive, right?)

Also, does "OEM" mean it's missing something that a non-OEM drive would
have? One of the reviews said the drive doesn't come with software--but
the same was said of at least one other burner that was listed as
"Retail." (As I mentioned in another post, I have the old Easy CD Creator
5, which can burn data onto DVDs.)

Thanks much!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...

One good retail example.
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=4321192

The "OEM" designation is up to the seller or manufacturer. What's in the
box, you have to research before buying, don't assume anything. Other flaky
packaging includes "white box" and "brown box" designations.
 
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