Hi, so my dvd drive is worn out, and because Im using a laptop, it would be difficult for me to replace it. So, i am thinking of making an external dvd drive instead. however, im not that educated in this area of computers.
can anyone help me by telling me if these two are compatible?
also, if anyone has any other suggestions for a better dvd drive that is dual layer also, or a better external enclosure, please suggest them to me, since i do not know that much about dvd drives and enclosures.
*Don't cheap out on the enclosure - good enclosure = good burning
*If it's an IDE drive it should be compatible with any IDE enclosure.
*You will need a power supply too, obviously.
If you're willing to pay a bit more then you can buy "ready made", so to speak, external drives. About the $70 region for a decent one, I think. DOn't hold me to that though.
thank you for your response
the drive is a lite-on LH-20A1H-186
the external enclosures i was thinking of were:
Macally PHC-500B 5.25" USB 2.0 Solid Aluminum External Enclosure - Retail
and
SABRENT SBT-ESU52 Aluminum 5.25" USB 2.0 External Enclosure - Retail
sorry about those links, and thanks for your advice! please let me know if my decision on the dvd drive is a decent on, and i am looking more towards the macally phc-500b enclosure.
any suggestions for an alternate external enclosure or dvd drive? just looking for a good dvd+-R and dual layer reader and writer that is reliable and with a firmware which is updated regularly
Hi ;-)
Firstly some enclosures aren't suitable for DVDRW's, but HD's only.
Secondly the Lite-On is fine. The fact that it is UDMA 4 when used internally should see read speeds > 16x. With reasonable results writing > 12x. (Assuming your USB controllers are up to it.)
Thirdly both the enclosures should be OK. The Sabrent is one that I have used personally for some time now.
thank you very much for your helpful reply. when you say "(Assuming your USB controllers are up to it.)" what exactly are do you mean here? the only thing that i can think of is if my usb controller is usb 2.0. im sorry, i don't know that much about usb controllers or dvd drives. thank you in advance! how has the sabrent enclosure been for you? anything that should be known before purchasing? any problems with the fan?
Hi ;-)
USB controllers. Need to be 2.0 to stand any chance of getting the speeds referred to in my previous post.
As far as the built in fan. Slight noise, but nothing excessive. Had two of these enclosures for a couple of years now. No problems.
BTW the versions I have are USB/Firewire. But use USB most of the time.
