Drives > Hewlett-Packard Drives > DVD writer

Advantages: Fairly simple to install (sorta)...
Disadvantages: Be careful why you want a burner.

...reason I went with the HP is that is what my computer is, an HP. I am a very firm believer that like brands work better with like parts. O.K. I got the burner. Now what?? Well if you knew me you would think I know an awful lot about computers. You would be wrong! I put up a good front but I know enough about computers to get me in trouble! When I opened the box I was .. oh what’s the word?... INTIMIDATED!!!! Yup that’s the word. I had no clue what ...
...but in case there wasn’t, HP included another IDE cable with an extra connector to replace one in computers with only the one connector. On with the burning. WHAT DO YOU MEAN I NEED ANOTHER PROGRAM TO COPY DVDS????? ARGHHHHHH!!!! Yes although the burner included three different programs to play the DVDs, copying them required me purchasing a copy of DVD xcopy express. Which I had to buy used as the ones on store shelves have been stripped of the ... Read review

Advantages: Very easy to use
Disadvantages: I can't think of any

A brilliant piece of kit.Very easy to use. Transferring videos to Dvd a doddle. The software takes you though each step. You can add music and titles giving the end result a professional finish editing as you go. Video's that do not need editing can be left to transfer unattended. The time to transfer is the length of the video and nearly the same time to transfer to disk but the results are worth the wait. Each frame of the film can be viewed independently ...
...the frame can be kept for editing in most photographic packages. You can also use it as and external dvd writer for any transfer of files, pictures etc.The only down side really is the price but if this is the type of thing you require the price is of no concern as the results are excellent. You do need a usb2 port. ... Read review

Advantages: Affordable, works well, cutting-edge home consumer product.
Disadvantages: Firmware updates somewhat confusing, software lacking.

...originally purchased to replace the HP CDRW in a HP Pavilion XL946 that belonged to the business of a friend of mine's (is that proper English? Heck if I know! ;-), a computer that I recently inherited and am enjoying greatly. The drive was originally used under WinME, and is currently being used under Win2K Pro SP4. It works great, I have NO complaints about it sofar. The included software is not what I'm used to, it takes a little to get to know ...
...or DVD burner before. ArcSoft's Showbiz DVD makes it very easy to author DVDs and VCDs, although the interface is too simplistic and menu-driven for my taste. I prefer using either Roxio EZ-CD Creator 5 Platinum or Nero Burning ROM 6, which gives a lot more options. CyberLink PowerDVD is an excellent software-based DVD player that works without hiccups. VERITAS' RecordNOW and Simple Backup software packages make it easy to back up and store your ... Read review

Advantages: "works" with Mac and Windows
Disadvantages: Too many to list.

...work... (using Taiyo Yuden media bought from Microboards authorised retailers) >Manuals... inexistent! After days of bugging their support, a PDF was emailed over... > Support - rude and unhelpful most of the time. Takes days to get anything out of them In short? Stay well clear from this product! ... Read review

Advantages: Fast Write speeds, wide compatibilty, 20 speed dvd writing and CHEAP
Disadvantages: Not any that i've experienced!!

I found this to be an excellent drive as i picked up one for around £30 and that was when it came out(last year, june). I think that this is an excellent drive for the fact it has a wide range of DVD and CD writing features; 20 speed writing, my favourite feature is the light scribe feature which allows you to design your own cd labels on a special 'lightscribe disc'. The Drive was also quiet, but not too quiet. I found the OEM Box that the drive ... Read review