DVD burner recommendations? Is NEC ND-1300A good?

[Isaac Kuo]

I'm looking for a DVD burner for hassle free data backup.

My cheap Norcent branded DVD burner is messed up, so I'm
considering buying a new DVD burner. (Windows thinks the
Norcent is a Lite-On LDW401s--I tried flashing it with the
latest LDW401s firmware but it failed to flash.)

I'm considering buying an NEC ND-1300A, OEM with software:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-009&depa=0

Has anyone here had bad experiences with this drive, or other NEC
DVD burners? Any other recommended drive models?

I am ONLY interested in DVD-ROM data backup, and my priorities are:

1. Inexpensive (less than $150)
2. Reliable DVD-ROM data backup
3. Works with cheap media

Thanks!

Isaac Kuo

 

[Sooky Grumper]

I'm looking for a DVD burner for hassle free data backup.

My cheap Norcent branded DVD burner is messed up, so I'm
considering buying a new DVD burner. (Windows thinks the
Norcent is a Lite-On LDW401s--I tried flashing it with the
latest LDW401s firmware but it failed to flash.)

I'm considering buying an NEC ND-1300A, OEM with software:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-009&depa=0

Has anyone here had bad experiences with this drive, or other NEC
DVD burners? Any other recommended drive models?

I love my Pioneer 107D, so the remaining 106's and A06's should be
pretty darn good, too. Considering I'm burning on 4x media rather than
8x, I'm wondering if I shouldn't have saved some money and gone with a
A06/106D!

 

[Jan Alter]

I also have a Pioneer 106D and found it a delight to use.

NEC has mixed reviews, but I've found almost simultaeously that the Pioneer
and Plextor brands receive raves.
The Pioneer can be had for less than $150 as well.

 

[Isaac Kuo]

I'm looking for a DVD burner for hassle free data backup.

My cheap Norcent branded DVD burner is messed up, so I'm
considering buying a new DVD burner. (Windows thinks the
Norcent is a Lite-On LDW401s--I tried flashing it with the
latest LDW401s firmware but it failed to flash.) [...]
I am ONLY interested in DVD-ROM data backup, and my priorities are:

1. Inexpensive (less than $150)
2. Reliable DVD-ROM data backup
3. Works with cheap media

Doing some more rummaging around on the Internet, it seems the
Pioneer DVR-106 is well liked (aka DVR-A06). Has anyone had
bad experiences with this Pioneer model?

Thanks!

Isaac Kuo

 

[Dave Navarro]

I am ONLY interested in DVD-ROM data backup, and my priorities are:

1. Inexpensive (less than $150)
2. Reliable DVD-ROM data backup
3. Works with cheap media

I have owned about 6 different DVD burners and I have only had two that
I have loved...

The first is the brand, not any specific drive and that's Pioneer. I
have owned an A03, 104 and A06. Every single one of them have been rock
solid and they have worked with literally *ANY* media type I have thrown
at them. The A06 is around $110 most places and burns DVD's at 4x.

The second is the Optorite 0223. There have been a few media types that
haven't worked with it, but it performs extrememly well and burns CD's
at 24x which makes it at least tolerable for CD burning.

--Dave