i have both the NEC and the PIONEER that you listed there, both of them are VERY solid burners for the price of them nowadays. :) i find the pioneer FASTER than the nec, but the nec is a close 2nd. i have an older liteon as in my sig, but, im sure the newer one is just as well built~ :) the choice is yours really...i got both my nec and the pioneer from newegg.com; it's incredibly cheap right now...i think the nec is less than $50 shipped and the pioneer is only a hair more expensive~ :) good luck and happy burning
Taiyo Yuden 4x dvd-r TYGO1/ 8x dvd-r TYGO2/ 8x dvd+r YUDEN000T02/ 16x dvd+r YUDEN000T03
Verbatim 8x dvd+r MCC003
Verbatim dvd+r DL (MKM001)= flawless no compression backups
"Do Yourself A Favor, Use The Good Stuff
TY & Verbs 4 Life~ :)" ~docTY~
"Its better to be quiet and appear stupid, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
I am always prepared to recognize that there can be two points of view - mine and one that is probably wrong - John Gorton
Taiyo Yuden 4x dvd-r TYGO1/ 8x dvd-r TYGO2/ 8x dvd+r YUDEN000T02/ 16x dvd+r YUDEN000T03
Verbatim 8x dvd+r MCC003
Verbatim dvd+r DL (MKM001)= flawless no compression backups
"Do Yourself A Favor, Use The Good Stuff
TY & Verbs 4 Life~ :)" ~docTY~
"Its better to be quiet and appear stupid, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
I am always prepared to recognize that there can be two points of view - mine and one that is probably wrong - John Gorton
i don't know the REAL reason why he didn't go w/ the 3540, BUT, my guess is that there is SO much more support and firmware revisions (official AND hacked) for the 3520 that he went that route.
the 3540 is completely diff. hardware than the previous model, i'm not saying it's "better" or "worse"; it's just NEW...im sure someday over the course of the next few months, MORE and MORE people will be using it and support and firmwares will be updated for it, but, many people feel much more comfortable KNOWING the support is there NOW and only the brave few go into uncharted waters and take the dive for the benefit of others in the future~ :)
Taiyo Yuden 4x dvd-r TYGO1/ 8x dvd-r TYGO2/ 8x dvd+r YUDEN000T02/ 16x dvd+r YUDEN000T03
Verbatim 8x dvd+r MCC003
Verbatim dvd+r DL (MKM001)= flawless no compression backups
"Do Yourself A Favor, Use The Good Stuff
TY & Verbs 4 Life~ :)" ~docTY~
"Its better to be quiet and appear stupid, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
I am always prepared to recognize that there can be two points of view - mine and one that is probably wrong - John Gorton
@klicck
The NEC3520 has proven to me to be a great burner.
Here is the official NEC firmware site. You may want to upgrade since I think your drive comes off the shelf with V1.04 and V3.04 is the latest official firmware. See site below to download.
http://support.necsam.com/oem/downloads/flashfirmware/
If you are interested in modified firmware which will greater improve media compatibility, remove riplock and add bitsetting capability try this site. I recommend Liggy and Dees V1.UG. See site below to download.
http://www.micheldeboer.nl/firmware/3520.html
