HELP!: External DVD+/-RW...is USB enough?

I'm thinking about getting this as a second DVD drive for my new computer. the modular offered by HP is too much, so i'm thinking this is my best alternative. i know i can get it cheaper elsewhere, but i have coupons i'm going to use on this one to knock it down to about $50 after the sale price and coupons. plus I'll finally be able to try out lightscribe.

Anyway, if I wanted to put...lets say...a CD in this drive and play Oblivion off of it or watch a movie, would the USB bandwidth suffice? I'd try a virtual CD emulator, but i've never had successes with them or copying ISO files to the HDD.

 

Fixed executables are the best!! gameburnworld.com saves me from having to use cd's for all my games. I am using the oblivion one right now and it works beautifully.

 

Alcohol 120% works great for me. I have FarCry, Civ4 and C&C: Generals all working with images on that. Had to use a SafeDisc hider program for FarCry and Civ4, but it works well, and it's much nicer than trying to carry those discs with and keep track of 'em. They're all in a pile at home right where I know where they are all the time

 

120 is the reason my DVD+/-RW drive on my m140 doesn't burn now. I'll have to reformat to even do that.

anyway...will the USB bandwidth be enough?

 

Did the fixed ex's work for you? I would assume that the usb bandwidth would be enought since the game does not access it very much (aka only for the startup hence alcohal 120 and fixed exes work).I understand your apprehension here though. Would be nice to hear from someone who has it working.

 

If you have it firewire tends to be a little more stable.

 

i only firewire port i'll have is just in the wrong place, and the docking station doesn't have it (I plan on using the dock for everything)

plus, the DVD drive is USB only

how do you mean a little more stable. are there problems with high-bandwidth USB operations?

 

All you need is USB 2.0. I have been using ext LG burner for the last 6 month with 3 of my PC's and now also with my Toshiba Satellite.

I tried USB 2.0 and FW---there is no difference so now I only use USB 2.0

Games, DVD back-up, movies, whatever you want it to do --it will do it with great speed. NOtebook slim burners start at 3.8-4.0X and finish at 7.2-7.7X on 8X media. Ext. LG starts at 6.0X and in 20 seconds jumps to 8.0X. Much faster than my toshiba super multi burner.

Lightscribe is slow by nature---I used LightScribe burner for les than a month, sold it and bought LG insted. Great product, not one coaster in 6 month.