Hi Steve,

Good decision. Not only is it much cheaper to do what you want but with a
DVD-RW you'll be a few steps ahead of most of the computing world at this
point in time. The DVD-RW drive is an "all in one" drive in that it's also a
CD/DVD-ROM and a CD-RW. Many new computers now have then pre-installed.

The NEC is a good drive. They manufactured and sold more DVD-RWs in 2003
than any other manufacturer. The model ND 2500A is a 4x +R format drive. I
highly recommend you get a dual format drive, one that reads / writes to the
two popular formats of +R and -R disks. Other name brands are also good. I
have a Lite-On that performs just as well as my NEC. Both were bought at
CompUSA under the brand name "Buslink". Unless it's packaged by the
manufacturer (Lite-On for one) you probably won't know who made it until you
open the box and look at the drive label. Sales clerks are (generally) a
waste of time unless they need to check the stock room, so do the
homework...

The only negative feedback I've seen on any of the DVD-RW drives was on a
message board in reference to an I/O Magic (by Optorite). Several people had
to update the firmware to get it to work properly and some had problems with
the update.

I suggest you "shop around". OfficeMax has an 8x dual format drive on sale
this week (ends today) for $69.99 after rebates. Starting tomorrow they'll
have one (8x dual format) for $79.99. Shop for blank disks the same way.
You'll find drives and blank disks on sale somewhere almost every week.
Software is included and if you have a preference there, that could
influence your decision on which drive to purchase. I'm not familiar with
your Sony model but if it doesn't have the i.link 1394 (FireWire) port
you'll need a 1394 PCI card to transfer the video from your camera. Still
got a pocketful of money? Add another 512 MB RAM, or whatever the Sony will
take. You can't have "too much" memory, especially when working with video.

I hope this has been helpful...
Sven Swanson, Sr.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Leonard" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 10:40 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] DVD burners


I took some video (mini DV) at a family wedding and after seeing how much
the local camera store wants to make dvd copies, it is time to install a DVD
R/RW drive. Any recommendations and advice would be appreciated. The NEC
2500A seems to be a reasonably priced solution(?) My computer is a Sony
RX-650, XP home, 512 RAM.
Steve Leonard
Malden, MA
[log in to unmask]

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