[kmarketing]

Hi,

I am contemplating upgrading my dvd burner, but I just don't know which route will be more economical and worthwhile?

What do you think?

Can you recommend any particular models? I see them cheap everywhere, even the external ones are reasonable now?

I've heard that pioneer is reliable since macs usually come with those drives. Any other brands are good (sony, memorex, etc.)? I know lacie makes compatible ones.

What do you think about an internal one, and then putting it into an external case. Are those good?

I apologize if this should be in the Peripherals forum.

By the way, I have a g5 single 1.8 1st gen with a pioneer 4x burner.

Please let me know,
Thanks!!

[Lateralus]

The only reasons to get an external optical drive are:

1) You're deathly afraid of getting inside your own machine.
2) Your machine is not capable of being upgraded internally.
3) You like burning cash and hampering drives on FireWire busses.

If you do not fall under those three criteria, there is no reason to get an external.

And if you want to ensure current and future compatability, get a Pioneer. The DVR-107 is the newest model that is currently supported by Apple. But it has been confirmed that Tiger will have full support for the DVR-108.

[CharlesS]

Originally posted by Lateralus:
The only reasons to get an external optical drive are:

1) You're deathly afraid of getting inside your own machine.
2) Your machine is not capable of being upgraded internally.
3) You like burning cash and hampering drives on FireWire busses.

4) You want to share an optical drive among several different machines.
5) You want a fast 52X CD-RW drive but don't want to give up the DVD reading/writing capabilities of your internal drive (or vice-versa)

BTW, how much is an optical drive hampered on a FireWire bus, really? The things don't exactly transfer data as fast as hard drives, after all...

[kmarketing]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. I've been looking at a couple of models, mainly pioneer (internal) and lacie (external).

Is this the correct pioneer model?
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...etailComponent

I see that lacie dual layer 16x drives are about $180.

Which do you think is a better buy? Or is there another model that you would recommend.? Could you please give me links/prices and where a good place to buy is.

And if the majority agrees that an internal drive for the powermac is better, then that is the way I will go.

I wa just thinking external because I also have a 12" powerbook and an ibook. But my powerbook does have the superdrive, and I don't really plan on doing too much burning on it if I have it in my g5.

And I do burn quite a bit of dvd's for my family so I would need something dependable and of good quality.

Thanks for your help!

[Lateralus]

Pioneer DVR-108, free 5-pack of DVD-R media, FedEx shipping = $79.

[SSharon]

I agree, get the above mentioned drive from newegg. Put it in the tower if you can and if you have to do it external it will be cheaper than buying from lacie so you win either way. Bottom line is don't spend more than $100 because there is no need to.

[kmarketing]

Beautiful!!!

Thanks for posting such a great deal!

Is this drive good, and will it work perfectly in the g5? I've heard of issues like not booting, not working with idvd, or the drive tray could get stuck.

Will this exact model have any of these issues?

Thanks again!!