External DVD writer

[TigaSefi]

Can anyone recommend a External DVD Writer ? Dad wants a portable one for his many computers. Thanks in advance.

[Tricky]

I've used the Sony one in the past (DRU105x or something like) which was OK - Just don't use the PC for anything else whilst writing!

[abailey152]

I'm using a Lacie one (not sure of the number, but it's actually a Panasonic drive). It runs on either Firewire or USB2. I'm running it on Firewire...no USB2 on my PC.

It's pretty slow but has never failed even writing when I'm running other stuff.

[Theodoric]

Are external drives usable when connected via USB 1.2?

Also, I only have one spare USB port which I can't tie up permanently as I use it for downloading my digital camera. Are there any known problems with plugging and unplugging an external DVD drive fairly frequently?

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by Theodoric

Are external drives usable when connected via USB 1.2?

Also, I only have one spare USB port which I can't tie up permanently as I use it for downloading my digital camera. Are there any known problems with plugging and unplugging an external DVD drive fairly frequently?

I dont know of any DVD writers wich can opperate on USB1.1, basicly your maximum throughput on USB1 is 1,375KB/s wich is just about equal to a 1x DVDR, however due to overheads and such you never reach maximum speeds, would probably cause a lot of buffer underruns (Not nescesarily impossible though).

Have you considdered upgrading to USB2.0?? It would add a lot of new sockets (You said you where running short of spare USB sockets) plus I have found some USB1 products work better on USB2 ports.

From Ebuyer.... (I could have sworn I heard bifta hiss when I typed that lol)
USB 2.0 for PC Here £7.04
USB 2.0 for Laptop Here £12.92


As for an external DVD, It could be cheaper to D.I.Y.....
USB 2.0 Drive enclosure Here £57.57
8x DVDR Dual Mode & RAM capable Here £66.57

Total = £124.14
Very easy to assemble and you will probably find you will write better quality discs (Most externals I have found to be not so good quality at writing)

Or....
Pre Assembled Here £106.99

hmm, I wasnt expecting the pre-packaged one to be cheaper, the D.I.Y one is higher spec though so that may be worth takin into considderation.
Also according to the reviews the pre-packaged one has trouble writing to Orange Bulkpaq discs (BEst Ive used in terms of quality to price)