What's the best external USB disc reader and writer to get?
ANT...@zimage.com
My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB disc
(both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly netbooks)
from http://cdw.com/.
Thank you in advance. :)
--
"We are anthill men upon an anthill world." --Ray Bradbury
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mscot...@aol.com
> Hello.
>
> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB disc
> (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly netbooks)
>
> Thank you in advance. :)
> --
> "We are anthill men upon an anthill world." --Ray Bradbury
> /\___/\
> | |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL):http://aqfl.net
> \ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
> ( )
In my opinion, they are all pretty good.
Michael
Rod Speed
> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
> netbooks) from http://cdw.com/.
I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
Ant
Thanks. I forgot to mention about discs brands and qualities that bugged
me a lot in previous readers, especially older ones.
--
"I don't understand them anymore, these people that travel the
commuter-trains to their dormitory towns. These people call themselves
human, but, by a pressure they do not feel, are forced to do their work
like ants. With what do they fill their time when they are free of work
on their silly little Sundays?" --Antoine de saint-Exup�ry, 'Wind, Sand,
and Stars,' 1939
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Ant is currently not listening to any songs on his home computer.
Ant
>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
Any specific ones from
http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?key=lg+usb+external+dvd&searchscope=All&sr=1&Find+it.x=0&Find+it.y=0
search results? I don't care about Lightscribe feature. I will read and
burn a lot of discs.
--
"I don't understand them anymore, these people that travel the
commuter-trains to their dormitory towns. These people call themselves
human, but, by a pressure they do not feel, are forced to do their work
like ants. With what do they fill their time when they are free of work
on their silly little Sundays?" --Antoine de saint-Exup�ry, 'Wind, Sand,
and Stars,' 1939
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phil/Ant @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
Paul Heslop
me too
--
Paul (we break easy)
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Stop and Look
http://www.geocities.com/dreamst8me/
Paul Heslop
>
> On 9/21/2009 7:29 PM PT, Rod Speed typed:
>
> >> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
> >> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
> >> netbooks) from http://cdw.com/.
> >
> > I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>
> Any specific ones from
> http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?key=lg+usb+external+dvd&searchscope=All&sr=1&Find+it.x=0&Find+it.y=0
> search results? I don't care about Lightscribe feature. I will read and
> burn a lot of discs.
The black and silver one in the middle is mine and it is great.
However looks may come into this as my system is black and silver too,
so it matches in looks.
The DVD RAM capabilities of these drives is weird and I gave up trying
to use it pretty quickly as I didn't really need it, I just had some
discs lying around. It really is a nice solid drive which I have had
for some time.
Now I have to go touch some wood :O)
Ant
> Now I have to go touch some wood :O)
Ew. TMI. :)
Ant
>>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
>>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
>>>> netbooks) from http://cdw.com/.
>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>> Any specific ones from
>> http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?key=lg+usb+external+dvd&searchscope=All&sr=1&Find+it.x=0&Find+it.y=0
>> search results? I don't care about Lightscribe feature. I will read and
>> burn a lot of discs.
>
> The black and silver one in the middle is mine and it is great.
> However looks may come into this as my system is black and silver too,
> so it matches in looks.
>
> The DVD RAM capabilities of these drives is weird and I gave up trying
> to use it pretty quickly as I didn't really need it, I just had some
> discs lying around. It really is a nice solid drive which I have had
> for some time.
I doubt I will use DVD RAM. I read it is not even popular. I just need
to handle all discs for CDs (R and RWs), DVD (-,+,RWs), opeen for
multiple sessions, closed sessions, etc.
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed wrote
>> Ant wrote
>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
>>> netbooks) from http://cdw.com/.
>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
> Any specific ones from
> http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?key=lg+usb+external+dvd&searchscope=All&sr=1&Find+it.x=0&Find+it.y=0
> search results?
I'd check the reviews on newegg for any that appear in that cdw list and buy the one that looks best from cdw.
> I don't care about Lightscribe feature.
Yeah, its pretty useless IMO, but then I have a printer that will print on CDs and DVDs.
> I will read and burn a lot of discs.
What is most of the data etc ?
Rod Speed
> Paul Heslop wrote
>>>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
>>>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
>>>>> netbooks) from http://cdw.com/.
>>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>>> Any specific ones from
>>> http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?key=lg+usb+external+dvd&searchscope=All&sr=1&Find+it.x=0&Find+it.y=0
>>> search results? I don't care about Lightscribe feature. I will read
>>> and burn a lot of discs.
>> The black and silver one in the middle is mine and it is great.
>> However looks may come into this as my system is black and silver
>> too, so it matches in looks.
>> The DVD RAM capabilities of these drives is weird and I gave up
>> trying to use it pretty quickly as I didn't really need it, I just
>> had some discs lying around. It really is a nice solid drive which I
>> have had for some time.
> I doubt I will use DVD RAM.
Yeah, I dont, basically because of the cost of the media.
> I read it is not even popular.
Correct.
> I just need to handle all discs for CDs (R and RWs), DVD (-,+,RWs), opeen for multiple sessions, closed sessions, etc.
They'll all do that fine.
Not clear what you are writing so many disks for. I used to do that
with the overflow from the PVR, essentially because I record quite
a bit more than I get around to watching. Makes more sense to buy
1.5TB drives and write those files to those instead of to DVDs.
I put the drives in a USB/eSATA hard drive docking station. Much better
than writing DVDs and very easy to change the drive as one fills up etc.
Paul Heslop
>
> Ant wrote
> > Rod Speed wrote
> >> Ant wrote
>
> >>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
> >>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
> >>> netbooks) from http://cdw.com/.
>
> >> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>
> > Any specific ones from
> > http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?key=lg+usb+external+dvd&searchscope=All&sr=1&Find+it.x=0&Find+it.y=0
> > search results?
>
> I'd check the reviews on newegg for any that appear in that cdw list and buy the one that looks best from cdw.
>
> > I don't care about Lightscribe feature.
>
> Yeah, its pretty useless IMO, but then I have a printer that will print on CDs and DVDs.
some compatible discs I would try just for fun.
Ant
> They'll all do that fine.
> Not clear what you are writing so many disks for. I used to do that
> with the overflow from the PVR, essentially because I record quite
> a bit more than I get around to watching. Makes more sense to buy
> 1.5TB drives and write those files to those instead of to DVDs.
Mainly computer datas like ISOs, etc. to install, copy, etc.
--
"Don't even step on an ant." --Greek
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Ant
> > > disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
>
> > I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>
> me too
Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for power and
usage?
Rod Speed
>>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
>>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
>>>> netbooks) fromhttp://cdw.com/.
>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>> me too
> Just curious.
Dont forget what that did to the cat.
> Can these drives only require USB cables for power and usage?
Nope.
Paul Heslop
no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they have
a power pack and a usb connector
Ant
>>>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
>>>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
>>>>> netbooks) fromhttp://cdw.com/.
>>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>>> me too
>> Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for power and
>> usage?
>
> no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they have
> a power pack and a usb connector
Thanks. I borrowed a Lenovo portable DVD burner (doesn't read medias
well though) and it only had a USB cable (no power AC cable). Very nice
for portability!
--
"Thanks for giving me the courage to eat all those ants." --unknown
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/ /\ /\ \ Phil/Ant @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
Paul Heslop
>
> On 9/29/2009 12:21 AM PT, Paul Heslop typed:
>
> >>>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
> >>>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
> >>>>> netbooks) fromhttp://cdw.com/.
> >>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
> >>> me too
> >> Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for power and
> >> usage?
> >
> > no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they have
> > a power pack and a usb connector
>
> Thanks. I borrowed a Lenovo portable DVD burner (doesn't read medias
> well though) and it only had a USB cable (no power AC cable). Very nice
> for portability!
wow, I would be concerned about it pulling power from the machine. I
have a small hard drive which uses usb power but it was designed that
way. still not happy with it though. Even an old usb hub I had which
worked solely by usb power sucked compared to using a powered one.
Ant
> > >>>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
> > >>>>> netbooks) fromhttp://cdw.com/.
> > >>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
> > >>> me too
> > >> Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for power and
> > >> usage?
> > >
> > > no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they have
> > > a power pack and a usb connector
> >
> > Thanks. I borrowed a Lenovo portable DVD burner (doesn't read medias
> > well though) and it only had a USB cable (no power AC cable). Very nice
> > for portability!
> wow, I would be concerned about it pulling power from the machine. I
> have a small hard drive which uses usb power but it was designed that
> way. still not happy with it though. Even an old usb hub I had which
> worked solely by usb power sucked compared to using a powered one.
Why is pulling power bad? Aren't most USB devices like that like mice,
wireless network, etc.?
--
"I'm not afraid of insects taking over the world, and you know why? It
would take about a million ants just to aim a gun at me, let alone fire
it. And you know what I'm doing while they're aiming it at me? I just
sort of slip off to the side, and then suddenly run up and kick the gun
out of their hands." --Jack Handy from Saturday Night Live
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Mike S.
In article <EbqdnTS9-aB0xV_X...@earthlink.com>,
Ant <ANT...@zimage.com> wrote:
>> > >>>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
>> > >>>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
>> > >>>>> netbooks) fromhttp://cdw.com/.
>> > >>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>> > >>> me too
>> > >> Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for power and
>> > >> usage?
>> > >
>> > > no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they have
>> > > a power pack and a usb connector
>> >
>> > Thanks. I borrowed a Lenovo portable DVD burner (doesn't read medias
>> > well though) and it only had a USB cable (no power AC cable). Very nice
>> > for portability!
>
>> wow, I would be concerned about it pulling power from the machine. I
>> have a small hard drive which uses usb power but it was designed that
>> way. still not happy with it though. Even an old usb hub I had which
>> worked solely by usb power sucked compared to using a powered one.
>
>Why is pulling power bad? Aren't most USB devices like that like mice,
>wireless network, etc.?
Check the specs of some of the drive mechanisms used in these external USB
thingies. They may use an ampere or more when writing - yet the USB port
is spec'ed only to provide half that amount of current.
Rod Speed
>>>>>>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external
>>>>>>>> USB disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs
>>>>>>>> (mainly netbooks) fromhttp://cdw.com/.
>>>>>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
>>>>>> me too
>>>>> Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for power and usage?
>>>> no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they
>>>> have a power pack and a usb connector
>>> Thanks. I borrowed a Lenovo portable DVD burner (doesn't read medias
>>> well though) and it only had a USB cable (no power AC cable). Very
>>> nice for portability!
>> wow, I would be concerned about it pulling power from the machine. I
>> have a small hard drive which uses usb power but it was designed that
>> way. still not happy with it though. Even an old usb hub I had which
>> worked solely by usb power sucked compared to using a powered one.
> Why is pulling power bad?
Because the device stops working properly when it cant get the power it needs.
> Aren't most USB devices like that like mice, wireless network, etc.?
They dont take enough to matter.
Ato_Zee
> >Why is pulling power bad? Aren't most USB devices like that like mice,
> >wireless network, etc.?
Pulling power risk blowing the USB fuse and they are hard to source
and replace, so for most users and laptops that port is a write off.
Also some USB chipsets may be a bit picky about working with
some external USB HD's.
Because of this I gave up and went for eSATA.
Paul Heslop
>
> > > >>>>> My client would like to know what's the best portable external USB
> > > >>>>> disc (both CD and DVD) reader and writer/burner for PCs (mainly
> > > >>>>> netbooks) fromhttp://cdw.com/.
> > > >>>> I prefer LG drives myself, less picky about the media.
> > > >>> me too
> > > >> Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for power and
> > > >> usage?
> > > >
> > > > no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they have
> > > > a power pack and a usb connector
> > >
> > > Thanks. I borrowed a Lenovo portable DVD burner (doesn't read medias
> > > well though) and it only had a USB cable (no power AC cable). Very nice
> > > for portability!
>
> > wow, I would be concerned about it pulling power from the machine. I
> > have a small hard drive which uses usb power but it was designed that
> > way. still not happy with it though. Even an old usb hub I had which
> > worked solely by usb power sucked compared to using a powered one.
>
> Why is pulling power bad? Aren't most USB devices like that like mice,
> wireless network, etc.?
I just feel with this kind of gear a nice steadypower supply is better
and less likely to cause problems. With that usb hub things just
worked when they wanted. It could be an age thing of course, I am
talking quite a while ago. I think if you want to connect this HD to
an older system you have to use a special lead which has two usb
connectors
cjt
with (so far); it plugs into _two_ USB ports to get the requisite power.
Paul Heslop
>
> FWIW, I recently bought an ASUS drive at Best Buy that I'm quite pleased
> with (so far); it plugs into _two_ USB ports to get the requisite power.
yeah, that is how this little HD would work. as is it plugs into a
port on this computer as the two are built for each other. I am still
not happy about it.
Ant
>>>>>> Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for power and usage?
>>>>> no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they
>>>>> have a power pack and a usb connector
>
>>>> Thanks. I borrowed a Lenovo portable DVD burner (doesn't read medias
>>>> well though) and it only had a USB cable (no power AC cable). Very
>>>> nice for portability, especially for a netbook!
>
>>> wow, I would be concerned about it pulling power from the machine. I
>>> have a small hard drive which uses usb power but it was designed that
>>> way. still not happy with it though. Even an old usb hub I had which
>>> worked solely by usb power sucked compared to using a powered one.
>
>> Why is pulling power bad?
>
> Because the device stops working properly when it cant get the power it needs.
>
>> Aren't most USB devices like that like mice, wireless network, etc.?
>
> They dont take enough to matter.
Interesting and thanks (and everyone else who replied). I wasn't aware
of drives using that much power. I thought by now, USB can handle well.
Does USB3 fix these power issues?
--
"Antacid: What ants use to get high." --unknown
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phil/Ant @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
Rod Speed
> On 9/29/2009 12:19 PM PT, Rod Speed typed:
>
>>>>>>> Just curious. Can these drives only require USB cables for
>>>>>>> power and usage?
>>>>>> no, probably not a good idea anyway due to the power strain. they
>>>>>> have a power pack and a usb connector
>>
>>>>> Thanks. I borrowed a Lenovo portable DVD burner (doesn't read
>>>>> medias well though) and it only had a USB cable (no power AC
>>>>> cable). Very nice for portability, especially for a netbook!
>>
>>>> wow, I would be concerned about it pulling power from the machine.
>>>> I have a small hard drive which uses usb power but it was designed
>>>> that way. still not happy with it though. Even an old usb hub I
>>>> had which worked solely by usb power sucked compared to using a
>>>> powered one.
>>
>>> Why is pulling power bad?
>>
>> Because the device stops working properly when it cant get the power
>> it needs.
>>> Aren't most USB devices like that like mice, wireless network, etc.?
>>
>> They dont take enough to matter.
>
> Interesting and thanks (and everyone else who replied). I wasn't aware
> of drives using that much power. I thought by now, USB can handle
> well.
> Does USB3 fix these power issues?
Doesnt fix them, but the detail has changed, particularly on max power the device can take.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb3#USB_3.0
Ant
Thanks again. I guess I will avoid using these portable USB external
non-Flash drives, without power cables, then.
--
"Bother," said Winnie the Pooh, as he stepped on an ant.
Rod Speed
It does work pretty well with the 2.5" portable USD external hard drives
that have two USB cables. The extra one is just used for the extra power.
ohaya
Rod Speed wrote:
Hi,
Sorry that this is just a little off-topic, but I have a question
related to this that I've been curious about.
I have a number of 2.5" USB2 drive enclosures. Most of have been for
IDE drives, but I've gotten a couple of newer ones lately for 2.5" SATA
drives more recently.
As far as I can remember, in all cases, I've not had problems running
with a single USB cable with the 2.5" IDE enclosures, but, in contrast,
I've had problems running every one of the 2.5" SATA enclosures
(=enclosures that take 2.5" SATA drives instead of 2.5" IDE drives) with
just a single USB cable.
I've been wondering, for awhile now: Have I just been unlucky with the
2.5" SATA enclosures (I've tried several)? Or, is there something about
the USB2-to-SATA interfaces, in general, that requires more power than
the USB2-to-IDE interfaces?
Thanks,
Jim
Rod Speed
> Sorry that this is just a little off-topic, but I have a question related to this that I've been curious about.
Dont forget what that did to the cat.
> I have a number of 2.5" USB2 drive enclosures. Most of have been for IDE drives, but I've gotten a couple of newer
> ones lately for 2.5" SATA drives more recently.
> As far as I can remember, in all cases, I've not had problems running
> with a single USB cable with the 2.5" IDE enclosures, but, in contrast, I've had problems running every one of the
> 2.5" SATA enclosures (=enclosures that take 2.5" SATA drives instead of 2.5"
> IDE drives) with just a single USB cable.
> I've been wondering, for awhile now: Have I just been unlucky with the 2.5" SATA enclosures (I've tried several)?
Maybe the SATA drives have been bigger, because they are newer.
> Or, is there something about the USB2-to-SATA interfaces, in general, that requires more power than the USB2-to-IDE
> interfaces?
Thats possible. You'd have to measure the current used with no drive installed.
ohaya
Hi,
It doesn't seem like it's due to drive size. For example, I have two
320GB 2.5" drives, one IDE and one SATA. I tried the IDE in several
enclosures, all with no problem on one USB cable. With the SATA, I
tried 3 (I think) different enclosures (luckily, we have a local
Microcenter that I drive past everyday, so I could go back and get a
different one), and none of them would work with just the single USB
cable.
I have some "thick", presumably heavier gauge USB cables, and it
wouldn't work with just those either. Also, out of curiousity, I think
that I checked the drive mfr sites, and, unfortunately, the drive specs
for power were kind of vague/not precise.
Oh well, another "mystery of life" :)...
Thanks, Rod,
Jim
Rod Speed
I guess its possible that the electronics in the box does
take significantly more power with the sata versions.
Dont have any handy to measure.