DVD Drive Suggestion

[Planefreak]

Hey.
I own a dvd drive that is on its last leg and need a new one. I want a DVD burner that is dual layer, sata interface, either black or two tone with the primary color as black, 20x DVD+ and - R, and a 20x dvd-rom (if it exists). (What's the point of being able to write at 20x if you can't read at 20x?)

Thanks

[pam123]

Take a look at this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072

(What's the point of being able to write at 20x if you can't read at 20x?):confused:

I think you're confusing several things here.
The best explanation is here : http://www.pcguide.com/buy/des/compOptical-c.html
It puts the "X" in it's place.
Check out the whole thing but the "Magic Numbers" is the section you should pay the most attention to.

[Planefreak]

How come the drive can write at 20x, but only read at 16x. Is "X" different for read and write?. The article mentioned that "X" was based on the original data transfer rates. Could 16x reading speed be like 10x writing speed (not that it is but like it)?

P.S: That was the drive I was considering purchasing.

[pam123]

Don't tie yourself into knots here.
The tech does as it can!

[not important]

The new Lite-Ons have some issues with some DVD burning softwares. If you are going to be making backups of your DVD's, I would suggest looking at this LG (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136120) unless you want a Lightscribe.

[pam123]

The new Lite-Ons have some issues with some DVD burning softwares. If you are going to be making backups of your DVD's, I would suggest looking at this LG (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136120) unless you want a Lightscribe.

What software?
The 20X drive, OEM, I bought in December has worked with everything I've tried on it.

Edit : OK found it but the problem is with the combination of Nero and DVDShrink ( which is aging but still much used) not with Lite-On.
Solution here : http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=3896