which dvd writer to keep?

my dv6736nr has a optiarc ad-7561A dvd writer. the grinding sound is just driving me nuts that i requested for a replacement from hp.

they sent me a DVDRAM GSA-T20L, HL-DT-ST with FW: NC08.

my question is,

1. did they send me a better replacement or is OPTIARC better?
2. i noticed the manufacture date for the replacement drive is october 2007 whereas the stock (optiarc) drive was manufactured november 2007

3. i do notice though that the replacement drive has not made a grinding sound yet. im testing it right now with the DVD MOVIE that had a grinding sound and CRC error with the previous drive.

would really appreciate any inputs as i only have 2 weeks to determine which one is a keeper.

thanks.

 

If your definition of "better" or "worse" suggests a difference in the feature level, then there is no difference between the two; they are both DVD-RW drives.

However, I've never heard of HL Data, while pretty much every laptop drive I have is an Optiarc. Of course, HL Data could be just as good an ODM as any other.

In your case, I'd keep the HL Data drive. I mean, if it's working, and working better than the apparently flaky Optiarc, there's no reason not to, right?

 

yup. but am worried about the support ill be getting from hp with this drive. support being firmware/driver updates because as i know, hp laptops use OPTIARC dvd drives?

ive mentioned that manufacture date wise, the optiarc is older compared to the GSA-T20L. could it be that hp units had problems with the older, replacement drives that they dumped it for the OPTIARCS and that im ending up with a lemon?

just an update. i was able to finish my dvd movie project with the replacement drive with no problems.. will try to burn now and see if ill have problems.

 

The replacement drive is an LG. They make solid if unspectacular drives. If your Optiarc is making those noises, I would rather have the LG.

 

OEM reserve the right to use different devices during production from different manufacturer's they just have to meet OEM specs. You have no idea what they put in, you should be fine on driver updates as they are brand specific when needed but not really ever on basic stuff like this (GPU yes, DVD no). So you are making way to much out of this. Not to lay on you but many people like to complain about customer service, yes? Well if you tie up their time on a non issue like this it will in no way help them to serve others, would you agree? Your DVD works and you ask about returning? Maybe they had issues with failure rates of the original, don't argue to get the same that failed. Unless you sense an issue be happy it works.

 

???? you probably got my head spinning i now have a headache. anyways, think i failed to mention that besides the irritating grinding sound with the OPTIARC drive, it too was selective in reading DVD MEDIA. it fails to read some media (way too often) when these same media is read by my desktop dvd drive (plextor btw.) with no problems.

in contrast, the LG (as goofball has mentioned) has both made a COPY and was able to BURN to a DVD MEDIA from a DVD MEDIA SOURCE that the OPTIARC failed to read (crc check).

so i guess the LG drive will be a keeper for me. one thing that made me confused and wary about this replacement drive is its being OLDER in terms of manufactured date compared to the OPTIARC drive.

and no, i dont think im the only one having issues with HP customer service. and no, this is not the first time ive dealt with them, moreso with the dvd drive issues i have raised with them (chatted to them at least 3 times)

dont think i have a problem with the product i get from hp (ive purchased a lot) its when things go wrong and you call them up and you talk to somebody who barely speaks english and much worse, does not even know what you are talking about. (they gave me wrong specs/part no. for a memory module inquiry i made for my laptop. they gave me a desktop part no.)

now time for MOTRIN.

 

You fail to see my point, the replacement works? What is the problem? You want to go into supplier books? Received dates? I mean I did explain and now I think I need a MOTRIN! If I am missing something please tell, but the original failed, they sent a replacement it worked. You now want a replacement that is the same as the one that failed? Because you have no idea what that date stamp means! Give me a MOTRIN.

 

Motrin is for wimps. A real man takes a fistful of Extra Strength Exedrin with a hot cup of coffee.

 

You are a bad Mfkr (know what I mean) the rest of us just take St Joesph children's aspirin (orange flavored) and tea!

 

Yeah, pp, that's me alright.

 

1. C'mon lads, please keep on-topic or I will have to get my stick out!

2. I wouldn't worry about the date on the burner if it is a current model. The replacement parts inventory probably has a lower turnover speed than the new production line where burners (and other parts) go straight from their factories to the final notebook assembly line. I would keep that LG burner - it works.

John

 

thanks for the input guys running nero infotool now. noticed significant difference in write speeds.

LG REPLACEMENT DRIVE:

Nero InfoTool 5.2.3.0

Drive Information
------------------
Drive : HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-T20L
Type : DVD±R/RW DL Recorder
Firmware Version : NC08
Buffer Size : 2 MB
Date : ?
Serial Number : K207AOA5253
Vendor Specific : 
Drive Letter : E:\
Location : 0:0
Mechanism : Tray
Read Speed : 24 , 20 , 16 , 10 X
Write Speed : 24 , 16 , 10 , 4 X

OPTIARC DRIVE:

Nero InfoTool 5.2.3.0

Drive Information
------------------
Drive : Optiarc DVD RW AD-7561A
Type : DVD±R/RW DL Recorder
Firmware Version : GH09
Buffer Size : 2 MB
Date : ?
Serial Number : 30647850 1491942Q111
Vendor Specific : Aug08,2007
Drive Letter : E:\
Location : 0:0
Mechanism : Tray
Read Speed : 24 , 20 , 16 , 10 X
Write Speed : 24 , 20 , 16 , 10 X

now my apologies, but is this something i have fret about? now, id really appreciate your .02 cents but please, if this means you will blowing a gasket off your head, then please dont hurt yourself. i dont want to be held accountable. im just trying to clarify if im getting a fair deal here.

thanks..

 

No, I wouldn't worry. CD burning is normally done at 24X. That slow speed on the LG should mean that it is compatible with some older rewritable media which are only rated at 4X or 8X. The Optiarc might struggle to support them.

John

 

I apologize, I over expressed. In my defense I did say "don't want to lay on you" but does you little good. The drive you have as a replacement is good, LG is a top notch company. They in fact make my cell phone. And many other consumer electronics. I believe HD TV's are one of their biggest markets. They are not a fly by night company. No known issues with this product so you should feel comfortable with the replacement. Good luck and if I made you feel uncomfortable I apologize and was my mistake.

 

apology accepted. i just thought your day probably just did not go the way you wanted it to be.

anyways, im keeping the replacement. i did chat with HP CS and i dont think i need to discuss what came out of it.

also i did notice printing on a lightscribe disc is way much faster compared to the OPTIARC drive that sealed my thoughts on the replacement drive.

again thank you guys for your inputs.