Do quiet DVD-ROM/DVD+-RW drives exist?
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Do quiet DVD-ROM/DVD+-RW drives exist?
I recently purchased a couple of DVD combo drives for an HTPC setup with the hope of replacing my aging stereo components. I have so far been dissapointed with the noise levels of the latest fast drives. I would like the drive to be as quiet as my not-so-cheap DVD player.
Who makes the quietest DVD drive?
How quiet are the new DVD-+RW drives?
I currently have two combo drives: Samsung SM-348 and a SM-352. I am also considering a DVD-+RW with the Sony DRU510 and Pioneer A05/A06 at the top of the list. Are these quiet?
EDIT: Quiet operation when playing movies being more important than when burning.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Who makes the quietest DVD drive?
How quiet are the new DVD-+RW drives?
I currently have two combo drives: Samsung SM-348 and a SM-352. I am also considering a DVD-+RW with the Sony DRU510 and Pioneer A05/A06 at the top of the list. Are these quiet?
EDIT: Quiet operation when playing movies being more important than when burning.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Last edited by modman on Wed Jun 25, 2003 11:16 am, edited 3 times in total.
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I searched the site for DRU510, DRU 510, Sony, 510, but can't find mention of it being quiet, or number one. Could you guide me a bit?bonzichrille wrote:The Sony DRU 510 is said to be very quiet. It is highly recommended in this area, over at avsforum.com(htpc forum) it's number one!
ps: Thanks for the link!
Unfortunately, last time I checked, NEC does not have an external/portable version (USB/Firewire), which our lab really needs. If an in-case solution suffices, the NEC looks like a nice possibility right now.Radeonman wrote:I wrote up a thread on the NEC 1300a (around somewhere, I don't feel like digging it up). It's damn quiet and supports both the + and - formats. Plus, the NEC is way cheaper than the sony.
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tragus: consider buying an internal drive and putting it into an enclosure (i.e. this one). I am not quite sure how this will affect the economics of purchasing an internal drive (it has been some time since I've been in the market for one). However, considering that several online retailers carry the well regarded Pioneer DVR-A05/105 for ~$170, the cost of an internal drive and an enclosure will probably be less expensive than a comparable retail external drive. Take care.
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I found your thread. I also found this one complaining about Nec's "policy of not releasing the bios" firmware. Is this still true?Radeonman wrote:I wrote up a thread on the NEC 1300a (around somewhere, I don't feel like digging it up). It's damn quiet and supports both the + and - formats. Plus, the NEC is way cheaper than the sony.
I used to have a Nec Versa laptop that wouln't take a memory upgrade, after trying different brands for the third time I paid $700 to NEC for their memory. After much denial, it turned out to be a firmware problem, that is, after I shipped my laptop to them and they felt like erasing the harddisk.
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There are other reasons to flash a drive. For example, flashing the SM-348 added Mt. Rainier support. I should not have to loose the drive for days or longer, and risk the drive being damaged during shipping just for a firmware update. What if there really is a problem? Why should it cost money (shipping at least) to get it fixed?Radeonman wrote:If it ain't broke I ain't gonna put time into it to fix it.
Yes, the tought has crossed my mind. I am also considering quiet DVD-ROM drives, but I still need the DVD writer, and I've yet to find a DVD-ROM with a large cache.Radeonman wrote:Also, do you really want to read all of your movies in your $200+ drive? That sounds like a good way to burn around the drive. And I know you don't want to do that.
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You don't have to use it, but you might reconsider.Radeonman wrote:Well, I would never use Mt. Rainer support.
CD-MRW (CD Mount Rainier ReWrite)
In Yamaha's own words
This one at CDRInfo is a good read.
Unfortunately, I learned about this after I purchased the drive, but I am glad that Samsung stands behind the product and added this feature at no extra cost for the consumer.I buy a drive knowing it comes supprting everything I want - to buy otherwise is risky beyond belief.
Like software, hardware is not bug free. It is cheaper for a manufacturer to add features to a drive in software than to R&D a new piece of hardware. I think is a win-win for both consumers and manufacurers.I have NEVER had to flash a drive...I think the whole firmware debate is paranoia winning over common sense, but that's just me.
Yes, and I do a ton of other things at the same time. I admit that the error management feaures of the burners I have do work, and the extra memory cache will have little effect if any in burning performance. I think of it as extra insurance while the machine is busy.A large cache on an optical drive wouldn't do much for speed - they are only present to prevent errors during burning.
I agree. IMO one cannot be paranoid about these things. After all, the hard disks are taxed many times more, and we sacrifice cooling for peace and quite, but that doesn't stop us.I have yet to find a DVD-ROM that isn't quiet. And for $35, you can prevent overuse on that $200 drive.
EDIT: spell
Last edited by modman on Sat Jun 28, 2003 9:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Yes; quick post from work.Galvin wrote:Umm, the A06 does DVD -+ RW, thats the big difference between themodman wrote:To sum up what we have so far, the contenders are:
Sony DRU-510A (DVD+-RW)
Pioneer A05/A06 (DVD-RW)
NEC 1300a (DVD+-RW)
Toshiba 1712 (DVD-ROM)
I am hoping for a review
A05 and A06. Check the spec sheets
I remember reading the A06 is meant to alleviate phone support costs from the confusion with the +- formats.