zt3000 dvd burner

I will FINALLY order the zt3000 this weekend and I will buy a different DVD burner than what HP is offering. I have narrowed it down to two. What do you guys think?

Toshiba Internal Notebook DVD±RW Drive, Model SD-R6372, OEM
Model# SD-R6372
Item # N82E16827130026

Specifications:
Write Speed: 4X DVD+R, 4X DVD-R, 2X DVD+RW, 2X DVD-RW, 16X CD-R, 10X CD-RW
Read Speed: 24X CD-ROM, 8X DVD-ROM
Interface: IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: 4X DUAL DVD FORMAT support
Packaging: OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-130-026&depa=1

AND THE OTHER ONE.....

Panasonic Slimline Slot Loading Multi DVD Writer For Notebook, Model UJ-825-B, OEM


Model# UJ-825-B
Item # N82E16827133004

Specifications:
Write Speed: 2.4X DVD+R, 2.4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD-R, 2X DVD-RW, 2X DVD-RAM, 16X CD-R, 8X CD-RW
Read Speed: 24X CD-ROM, 8X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: DVD MULTI Read/Write Support. Buffer Under Run Protection. DMA66 support. Mounting Orientation Horizontal or Vertical.
Packaging: OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-133-004&depa=1

I'm really feeling the Panasonic because of the slot loading, but it has a slower DVD+R speed. Is 4X that much faster than 2.4X? I'm of the opinion that if I'll just be burning one or two DVD's in one sitting, the extra speed is negligible. Am I mistaken? Also, I've read somewhere that the slot loading burner is recessed about 3/8". Is that too far in? Will it look crazy??

 

I checked out the links and I must say, the thought of haveing a slot load drive rather than a tray is pretty appealing for a notebook. I'd probably go for the Panasonic myself.

Regarding the speed, will you be buring a lot of DVD's using the + media? If not, you have nothing to worry about. I personally will porbably be burning only - media, with the occasional + if I have to. You will probably notice a speed difference between 2.2X & 4X. Notebook drives seem to operate slightly different than a desktop drive. The DVD/CDRW combo drive I used to have stated it was a 24X CDR, so normally it would take no more than 4-4.5mins to burn a CD. Well, with this drive, it took 6-10mins. The reason that I was told from support, was because the drive in desktops burn at a CAV (constant angular velocity), which rotates the CD at the same speed from start to finish. But the drive I had was a Z-CLV (Zoned Constant Linear Velocity), this method will increase speed at set zones of the CD, looks something like stairs on a graph. After a few minutes, it'll go faster, burn for a bit & then faster, and so on. So, to make a long story short, make sure you verify the specs with Newegg or Panasonic otherwise you may notice a bigger speed difference than you expected.

Oh, burning a DVD at 2.4X should be approx 25mins (+/- 2mins), and a 4X should burn in 15mins (+/- 2mins) in normal cases using a desktop burner (reference burn, 1X = 60mins approx).

While your checking the specs on the drive, also get the complete measurments, just so you know how much of a recess you will have.

-Vb-

 

If the zt3000 has the same thick, curved bezel as the zx5000 and zv5000 series, any drive with a standard bezel is going to be recessed about 3/8" into the case. I have the Toshiba in my zv5000z that I took that measurement from. If I were buying today I'd give the Panasonic a try. I prefer the - format that the Panasonic does at 4x. The Toshiba doesn't like the Ritek 4X DVD-R blanks that Newegg sells, and I don't think Toshiba has released a firmware update that fixes that yet. (I've had great success with Riteks on my Pioneer desktop drives.)

 

I will probably be burning "-" mostly because I have "+" on my desktop. So I guess 2.4X is no big deal to me.

I checked the dimensions of the burners and it appears that the slot loading Panasonic is deeper than the Toshiba.

Toshiba
128mm x 12.7mm x 126.1mm
Panasonic
128.0mm × 12.7mm × 129.0mm.

That's the opposite of what I read. hmmmm. Does anyone know the size of the DVD's in the zt3000? I will probably go with the Panasonic tho.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by brianstretch

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Venombite

 

The depth of the drive should be similar to the Toshiba drive. HP uses mainly Toshiba, QSI & Teac drives in these models. The Toshiba drives SHOULD all be the same size and if the QSI & Teac drives are also used in this system, they should also be the same size.

The best thing to do, is wait until the notebook arrives, after that, pop the drive out and then measure it yourself to be sure. Then order the drive that fits. It's better to be safe than sorry, so waiting a bit longer shouldn't cause too many problems.

Just check for dead pixels (solid white or black background color), burn some CD's to make sure the CDRW works, play some games, listen to some music, watch a movie, plug something into the USB ports, etc... This will give you an idea if things are working or not. Just don't nit pick, you may start to find issues with the unit that aren't really problems.

-Vb-