New to CD-RWs

I am looking to expand my data storage devices and have all but ruled out Zip drives because CDs are much more practicable for distribution and use (i.e. showing pictures to family). But, I am totally ignorant when it comes to CD burners. I've got the basics down (i.e. difference between CD-R & CD-RW), but I don't know (1) what brands are suggested, (2) what speeds are best, (3) what type to get (EIDE, SCSI, Firewire).

I'm upgrading to WinXP and switching to RAID controllers on my KR7A, so I'll have 2 free IDE slots, but what is SCSI (pros & cons) and how good is the Firewire connection (I've got this from my Audigy purchase). I would like to have it as an internal drive, I assume that rules out the Firewire.

Any help and suggestions is appreciated!

Get a Lite-On CD-RW.

Firewire is a good interface to connect external devices, generally used for Mac's. However USB 2.0 is faster allowing nearly 500MB/s.

As far as SCSI is well its faster but too expensive. The only people who really use it are corporate companies where 5 extra seconds saved really matters...

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Originally posted by ellert
I am totally ignorant when it comes to CD burners. I've got the basics down (i.e. difference between CD-R & CD-RW), but I don't know (1) what brands are suggested, (2) what speeds are best, (3) what type to get (EIDE, SCSI, Firewire).

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EIDE is fine for most everybody and is probably easier to install (more common). Lite-on seems to be the local favorite (its both good and affordable). As for speed, 24x, 32x, 40x not much difference to the average user. the increased speed is not enough for most people to justify the price increase. If you DO burn alot then consider the higher speed (it will add up) but otherwise go with the best price/speed ratio.

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I am looking to expand my data storage devices and have all but ruled out Zip drives because CDs are much more practicable for distribution and use (i.e. showing pictures to family). But,

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Avoid Iomega like the plague. Between the cost, availability, and the imfamous "click-o-death" it's probably worst then spanning a compressed file over 20 floppies :D

Also, I'd stay with CD-R disks (regardless of drive) because CD-RW are more expensive and much slower to burn. You'd be better off using mini-cd's for small file transfers if that's your need.

liteon IS the best

"Avoid Iomega like the plague. Between the cost, availability, and the imfamous "click-o-death""

click-o-death with cdroms? hes already ruled out the zip drive so i dont know why you would be talking about them...

and i have a an iomega cdrw and its been through hundreds + hundreds of burns and it works fine, ZERO bad burns.

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Originally posted by Indus
As far as SCSI is well its faster but too expensive. The only people who really use it are corporate companies where 5 extra seconds saved really matters...

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My SCSI drive didn't cost much more than the equivalent IDE whn I bought it (only extra cost was for a SCSI card - minor). But I agree there no longer is a need for it. I got it then because that was before burn-proof or buffer-under run protection was heard of. My SCSI has saved many coasters :)

As for the original post.

1) People with have their own views. Listen to them all and decide on a few brand which you'd like. Then when you decide which burner to get you can decide proper.

2) 1x means 150KB/s - REMEMBER THAT! It's important cos a 40x burner may cost a lot more than a 24x say (just an example, not necessarily so). However, for a 650MB CD @ 40x it will take just under 2mins, but @ 24x it'll take just over 3mins - hardly orth the extra bucks!

3) EIDE, no doubt.

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Originally posted by patssle
click-o-death with cdroms? hes already ruled out the zip drive so i dont know why you would be talking about them...and i have a an iomega cdrw and its been through hundreds + hundreds of burns and it works fine, ZERO bad burns.

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I was responding to his post about Iomega Zip Drives

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Originally posted by ellert
I am looking to expand my data storage devices and have all but ruled out Zip drives because CDs are much more practicable for distribution and use

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I wasn't referring to Iomega CD-RW or any of their other products for that matter - just the Zip Drives, which were still under consideration (it seemed). I'm glad you're satisfied with your CD-RW and hope it brings you many more successful burns. Nobody here wants to see someone get screwed by defective products, which is probably why we tend to get so passionate about are recommendations.