PC Hardware → What to look for in a regular optical drive

Okay, so I'm looking at a good reader drive (already settled on a burner) and checking their specs. I should be looking at the following info besides brandname, correct?

Cache: the higher the better? (512K the limit it seems)
Read speed: 16x for DVD, 48x (or 52x) for CDs
Data Trasnfer Rate: the higher the better?
Access Time: the lower the number the better?
Type of Media it can play: the more the variety the better I imagine.

Thanks for your help.

Personalyl - I would not really care about the above except for maybe the name and price. They are pretty much the same anymore - you can't go wrong with a Mitsumi drive (that make a LOT of OEM drives).

This is the one a lot of us use and love it. (NEC ND-3520A)

Yes, I'm gonna use that as the Burner. Just looking for another drive to do much of the reading heh.

Why not get 2?

Currently I prefer the Lite-on SOHD-167T (note that it's a bit noisy though), which has just been EOL but you might still be able to find it at some retailers. At the current firmware it's better than it's new replacement from Lite-on. Also the AOpen and Asus DVD-ROM drives are also very good, the AOpen also has the advantage of not having a rip-lock on the official firmware.

Not sure what you will find in just a READER type drive, read that as READ ONLY type drive, as they really don't make them anymore. With the price of a dual layer DVD-RW/-r/+r - CDRW type drives of under 60-70 bucks what market would want just a DVD/CD-ROM read only drive. Whatever you find will be a dinosaur because they haven't made CD-ROM only drives in a couple of years if not longer.

They have NOT stopped making CDrom/DVD readers - there are many still on the shelves and I just bought one less than 2 months ago.

I have a regular cdrom/dvd and have a burner because I do not need 2 burners and spend the extra money on the burner. The readers are cheaper than the burners.

I use the burners to burn and the reader to read the disks (everyday use in other words).

In addition, in many instances, the DVD-ROM actually does better in reading jobs (like bad quality disc) than their DVDRW counterparts.

...because I do not need 2 burners and spend the extra money on the burner. The readers are cheaper than the burners.

Yes, that is exactly the reason why I am buying a regular reader. I'm on a limited budget with this new machine so not willing to take off $20 buck s from another part to buy 2 burners when 1 can do the job.

Thanks all for the advice. Think I'm just going to grab whatever seems to eb in good favor with the masses and has good access time.

If you can't afford the extra 20 or so dollars then maybe you shouldn't be building a new system at all. You can save a lot more by using the PC you now have.

don't some drives have better error correct then others?

Yep, it varies from drive to drive.

yeah i've had drives that just about lock up on a little sratch, and some just pass by it like it's a new cd.

If you can't afford the extra 20 or so dollars then maybe you shouldn't be building a new system at all.

Thats a fine attitude to have. I have an $800 limit. I prefer to keep it that way.

Yes it is a fine attitude. I never restrict what I'm going to spend on anything. If I can't afford what I want then I don't buy it at all. I don't settle for less.

Having just one DVD-RW is quite enough for most people. There are only a few cases where a second burner would be useful. One is using a secondary burner (mainly a Lite-on) for the sole purpose of disc quality scanning (which isn't applicable in this case since the NEC with new or upcoming firmware should do). The other is for users who burn a lot of media but don't want or need to invest in a duplicator.

Having a separate DVD-ROM is great because you're not wearing out your (more expensive) burner for everyday reading/ripping task. Also for the occasional problem disc you have a greater chance of reading it simply because even if one drive fails the other possibly can handle it.

VERY true in my experience...i have a DVD rom read only drive for read only/dvd ripping only, and an NEC3520a for burning....and a lite-on CDRW 52 for every day CD work...

the DVD rom drive reads faster, and rips faster than the NEC...

Shootist, your not being very nice. There is nothing wrong with being frugal and wise with one's money when building a system, and it isn't your right to criticise him for what he feels are **his** priorities.

Honey attracts more flies than vinegar, and I must say as well, maybe *YOU* have plenty of expendable cash, but many/most guys don't. Many of us are married and support families and those are other priorities.

One should consider being supportive of what a fellow builder here wants to do, it isn't fair or in good manner to jump on someone for not wanting the same things or failing to think in lock-step with you. I am not trying to make an enemy here, but I think that you are outaline.

I also think, and I KNOW others will back me up on this: Everyone has a right to try and build a new system, NO MATTER their budget, so long as they are rational with their expectations and accept good advice with good manners. Friend, it is ALL ABOUT GOOD MANNERS.

So making this personal attack on me and demeaning my manners makes you feel better. Isn't that special. I'm glad you FEEL better.
I looked at NewEgg last night and did NOT FIND ONE DVD-ROM drive. All they have are burners of one type or another. So just where do all you people buy READ ONLY type CD drives, excuse me that should of been NEW READ ONLY type CD drives.

Here is help for the clueless:

»www.bestbuy.com/site/ols ··· cat01042

»www.compusa.com/products ··· e=200000

And you did not look very hard at NewEgg:
»www2.newegg.com/ProductS ··· egory=55

There is NOTHING wrong with having a cd/dvd reader so back off from the OP and just answer the question without the smart alleck remarks about not wanting to spend another $20.... Getting your facts straight before you post some "facts" also helps...

»www2.newegg.com/Product/ ··· 27131410

You should look harder, and really.. most people don't need two burners. I have nothing against anyone who wants to build their system the way they want to build it. I personally have one reader and one burner. I don't need to burn two discs at once, so that would have been a waste. And that $35 of extra money is half of a grocery store trip or several lunches. Many of us are on limited budget and have to save where we can. We have to prioritize and spend the money where it's important. I chose to buy a less expensive video card and use some of that towards a good PSU, so I got a 6600GT video card and an Antec Truepower 430. The rest of the extra money saved paid bills.

So I suppose you're going to rip on me for this "personal attack" and for only having one burner and having bought "only" a 6600GT video card and not spent $300 more for a 6800GT? Personally, I'd rather have the upgrade done *and* have auto insurace and electric bill paid.

Ignore the detractors. There's nothing wrong purchasing a burner and a regular dvd-rom drive. If you would like a recommended model, you can go with Sony's DDU1613 (built the same as the Liteon 167s alot of people speak highly of).

»www2.newegg.com/Product/ ··· 27101124

What about Pinoneer?