External Dual Layer DVD burner - replacement for Matshita?

[noetus]

Hi, just wanted to let people know that I took delivery of Plextor's new BUS-POWERED portable DVD burner a couple of days ago, and I think it's a decent replacement for the internal 9.5mm Matshita which doesn't burn dual layer, has no significant firmware updates, and has difficulty with accepting non-localized DVD movies. The specs on the Plextor are interesting - the drive is silver colored and quite tiny, has a flip metal or metallic lid (it's not a tray loader - reminds me of the Sony MPD-AP20U, though it's not quite as pretty), is BUS POWERED from the USB (no need for an adapter, though one is supplied - be warned it will use up both of your precious USB ports - though it is possible to buy a cable which will allow a pass-thru USB port for the one that supplies the power only - Plextor should really supply that with the unit), and is significantly faster than the Matshita. It BURNS at the following rates: DVD+R 8x, DVD+R DL 4x, DVD-R 8x, DVD-R DL 4x, DVD+RW 8x, DVD-RW 6x, DVD-RAM 5x, CD-R 24x, CD-RW 24x. So far, I like it (and you get a copy of Plextools with the unit). My plan is to swap the Matshita with an internal hard drive and dispense with an internal DVD burner altogether. (If anyone wants a nearly brand-new 9.5mm IBM T42/p DVD burner, I have one for sale ) Great for ultralights.

One downside is that it's not available in the US yet - if that's where you are, you'll have to order it from Europe. (Mine arrived in the US from the UK in about 5 days with no issues, not VAT, and no customs charges.)

[rssb]

Even though the drive itself is capable of burning at 8x, did you test if it actually burnt at 8x when powered on USB ? It would be interesting to see if it did, as the external usb slim drives which are powered by usb seem to burn only at 4x.

[noetus]

I haven't tested it extensively yet. I will though, and i can post the results here. Do you remember what the registry settings is to get Nero to display the ACTUAL burning speed?

[dorin]

nope, i can burn with 8x, but need to use the both usb cables for that. it seems that only one cable is not enough for providing enough power to write.

that's valid for both my enclosures (once lacie and....the one recommended in a different thread ~the perfect external dvd writer)