Is there an external alternative?

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Is there an external alternative?

Hey everyone,

After an "accident" involving a 2 year old and multiple objects being forced into the optical drive, the release mechanism for the drive has become intermittent at best. My local Apple Store quoted me a new Matshita DVD-R UJ 846 at around $329.00. I want to replace it, but first want to check on if there may be a cheaper comparable external unit on par with the Matshita.

Thanks

iMac Duo Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jun 17, 2006 6:21 AM

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Answer 1

qavvik

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Jun 17, 2006 7:40 AM in response to XTC

I have about the same setup and have been using a LaCie external DVD burner (a refurbed 16X DL DVD+/-RW d2 FireWire) for at least 90% of my disc use. It can be a bit loud, but it was only $100 inc. postage and I feel more confident putting discs in it than the built in.

I got it at the lacie.com web site.

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Answer 2

XTC Author

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Jun 17, 2006 8:05 AM in response to qavvik

Thanks so much,

I've been looking at the LaCie stuff, and already have an 160GB external HD from them that I'm very happy with. What model burner do you have? I've noticed two priced below $200. One with both USB and Firewire ports, and one with just Firewire which is oddly priced for more. Also, have you been able to configure your external DVD drive with Front Row?

Thanks again.

iMac Duo Mac OS X (10.4.4) 1gb RAM

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Answer 3

qavvik

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Jun 17, 2006 10:14 AM in response to XTC

Well, i wasn't sure about external DVD drive and FrontRow, but just tried it and it worked fine.

My model is a "16x Double Layer d2 DVDRW USB2 & FW V2" it was item # 300983

the drive itself is fairly standard - the enclosure is metal - somewhat large and built like a tank

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Answer 4

qavvik

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Jun 17, 2006 10:18 AM in response to qavvik

might want to add - i was not interested in the light scribe version or adding toast software, so along w/ it being reconditioned, that is why i was able to get it for around $100

I am using the firewire connection - haven't tried the USB - LaCie also included both cables....

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Answer 5

XTC Author

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Jun 17, 2006 1:57 PM in response to qavvik

Thanks again...

Yes it looks like I'm going to go with the LaCie d2 with both the USB and Firewire. I can only guess that the reason the Firewire only model costs more is that it comes with Toast 7.0. I've got version 6.1 and Popcorn 2.0 so I don't care about Toast 7.0. I am curious about Light Scribe though. Do you need special DVDs for that or can you use any brand of DVD media?

I also figure I can just daisy chain it with my external HD via Firewire. From what I can surmise from the specs it even appears to be a better burner than the Matshita, and for much less than the $329 Apple wants to charge me for a replacement. That's not including labor. For all I know the drive could be fine, and only the tray could be slightly bent. Maybe in a few years when the prices go down I'll spring to have it fixed and then I'll have a "perfect" iMac again. Darn kid. Stuck a blank DVD in along with two plastic DVD covers that come when you purchase a stack of blanks.

Anyway thanks for the advice. You've been very helpful.

iMac Duo Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1GB RAM

iMac Duo Mac OS X (10.4.4)

iMac Duo Mac OS X (10.4.4)

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Answer 6

qavvik

Level 1

15 points

Jun 17, 2006 8:54 PM in response to XTC

You are welcome - slot loading discs always make me nervous - my tibook has hung in there for over 4 yrs, but i still get squeamish putting in a disc

not too knowledgeable of lightscribe - writing w/ a sharpie is fine w/ me - but this may help you out - http://www.lightscribe.com/

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Answer 7

Jun 17, 2006 9:05 PM in response to XTC

"I am curious about Light Scribe though. Do you need special DVDs for that or can you use any brand of DVD media?"

You can burn any standard CD or DVD in a LightScribe burner, but if you want to etch that label, then you do need to buy LightScribe disks.

They look really nice when finished. The only downside IMO is that the label can often take longer to burn than the disk itself.

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Answer 8

XTC Author

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Jun 18, 2006 12:55 PM in response to Eric Kracinski

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Just ordered a new LaCie d2 FW/USB burner for $124.99 from Mac Mall. The Light Scribe sounds cool, but it sounds like something I'm probably only going to use a few times and forget about! I think this was the way to go, especially since I'm looking to back up my music library with data DVDs. An external burner just seems more reliable for heavy duty usage. Just looking at these discussions it seems like every other post is someone not being able to eject or mount a disk. I love my iMac, just wish it had a manual eject for the optical drive. That would have solved all my problems to begin with! Just one last question...how much of a speed difference can I expect from this unit using the 400 Firewire port as opposed to the built in ATAPI connection I enjoyed with the Matshita? Probably slightly slower, right?

iMac Duo Mac OS X (10.4.6)

iMac Duo Mac OS X (10.4.4)

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Answer 9

Jun 18, 2006 6:58 PM in response to XTC

It should be faster. ATAPI is at 133 MB/sec - tops - and FW is 400 MB/sec. The main bottleneck is still the preparation of the image.

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Answer 10

XTC Author

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Jun 19, 2006 6:53 AM in response to Eric Kracinski

Great,

I'm sold. When you say the only bottleneck is the preparation of the image, you mean the whole Lightscribe thing, and not preparing disc images for burning, right?

iMac Duo Mac OS X (10.4.4)

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Answer 11

XTC Author

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Jun 19, 2006 7:19 AM in response to Eric Kracinski

Forgot to ask one more thing...

Have you ever booted from this drive? If so, any issues there?
Is it the same keyboard command or a specific command in Disc Startup prior to rebooting?

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Answer 12

Jun 19, 2006 9:05 AM in response to XTC

When I refer to the "image" I am referring to the data that your computer prepares before it burns that data to the DVD, not the visual image that it etches into the disk using the LightScribe. Sorry for the confusion.

It usually takes as long to prepare the data for burning as the act of burning that data itself takes.

The LightScribe label image can take a long time to etch into the disk, but that time will vary based on the complexity of the label you create.

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