DVD RW Recommendations

I got done re reading the DVD RW swap that Toughbook posted, and when I went looking for the Sony Optiarc model 5540a, it appears to have been discontinued. Can anybody recommend another model that is comparable, if not better?

Scott

In case there has been a thread about this already, could somebody please direct me, as I did not find anything when using the search function.

 

I have always used the panasonic /matsh ta drives

Alex

 

If you buy the Samsung drive from Newegg they give you Nero Essentials with it! All for $45 each I think!

 

Thanks for the replies, gents........just wondering, does anybody use the slot load style optical drives? It seems like they would be more preferable, over the tray that slides out, as you do not have to have the extra space, but it does not seem that anybody really uses those much.

Scott

 

It's the same size as I recall... You could give it a try... I almost tried it once...

 

I also was going to go with a slot load when I did my DVDRW mod but never bought one.

I thought the same thing as you it would be much better not to have to have the tray slide out and possibly get broken off.

If you try it let us know how it went i am interested in this.

-James

 

They don't have ejector buttons I don't believe... You may want to look this up... It may have been discussed before.... I think it needs to be ejected by software... Not hardware....

 

I used this Sony Optiarc:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118006

in a build about 2 weeks ago and it works fine....

 

I just looked at the Sony Optiarc slot load dvd rw here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118021&Tpk=sony%20optiarc%20slim%20slot%20dvd%20rw[/URL]

If you look at a closeup, it shows an eject button.

This model is compatible with the cf 29, is it not?

Scott

 

Looks like it would work to me. If i had a drive to mod i would buy it and find out

-James

 

Does anyone know why the Panasonic drive is nearly $300.00 compared to these other ones you guys are talking about for $50.00 or so. Is the Panasonic drive built rugged as well or what?

Thanks, Mike G.

 

Grif,
No, they do most of their selling to governments who apparently can afford to spend our money in a way we find scary. There is nothing about a CF-30 media bay caddy to make it worth more than about $10 except you can only get it from Panasonic. The drives themselves are the ones we buy on eBay or NewEgg etc.
CAP

 

The panasonic $300 drive includes the drive slide-in caddy

The Mod that we are doing is taking a $60 used panasonic cd drive/caddy and soldering a jumper on the connecter to allow the use of a $60 standard dvd writer ,in exchange of the cd drive



Alex

 

hi guys, i'm using a matsua dvdrw dual layer slot loader in a cf-48 and it works great, yes it has an eject button. it is also had the firmware set to master right out of the box for a fast boot. i think i got it for $85.
chuck
if anybody want the model # i can get it and pictures if needed.

 

Sure that would be great info if you could get it. Thanks


-James

 

If you have patience enough and keep refreshing, you can buy a cd rom pack for only $30.00 and then a dual layer Dvd for only $15-20.00



ohlip

 

Just wanted to give an update on my DVD RW installation: Got the new Sony Optiarc Slot Load today, and installed it (of course after soldering the R2 box on the circuit board.) It works marvelously and the slot load is so nice, as compared to having a tray slide in and out. I paid about $25.00 more, to have this option, and I believe it is worth every dime.

Also, wanted to thanks Tomcat57 for his most excellent help via pm in my mini conquest. Also a big thanks to Toughbook for the step by step on how to make an aftermarket DVD player work with this TB. Thanks to the rest of you guys for your knowledge and advice.

Scott

 

But can it handle a miniCD? Or worse yet, one of those weird "Business Card" CDs? (At least I hear miniCD>CD adapters exist, no idea on "Business Card CD">CD though.)

Every once in a while things I've bought will have their drivers come on a miniCD it seems...

 

Oh, by the way, any idea if a Sony BC-5500A would work in a CF-29?

 

It might work for data only , not for playback of blueray as the video card does not have enough ram, and you have to make sure is pata interface not sata
Download the blueray advisor from this link

http://www.cyberlink.com/prog/bd-support/diagnosis.do

When you run that program it will confirm that your hardware is compatable


Alex