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General discussion

new DVD+/-RW

Aug 9, 2004 9:51AM PDT

I have a question about buying a new DVD Burner drive.
Also about hooking up audio devices to my sound card.
Ok here is the first question
Is the Plextor PlexWriter PX-708A a good deal for $129.99? It looks like a top-end drive, I know it's older but I know it used to be the top. Would it be a good drive?

Here is question number two
Do I need to hook the audio output from the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drives into the Audio Inputs on my soundcard? (I have the Audigy 2 ZS Plat.) The booklet from Creative says yes, and someone told me that if my OS is older I need to but if I have a new OS I don't need them.
Any input on either of these?

Discussion is locked

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Re: new DVD+/-RW
Aug 9, 2004 11:17AM PDT

this is in response to question 2

i have a dvdrom and cdrw drive with the cdrw drive as master so i hooked the audio output from the cdrw drive to the sound card. everything is great.

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Re: new DVD+/-RW
Aug 9, 2004 11:36AM PDT

Hey ozos- this dual format single layer dvd burner is probably the best on the market, but there's now dual layer burners on sale for 1/2 the price or even less. My 'bro in law just bought an LG dual format burner for $79- think off of tigerdirect or newegg; he's very happy with it. I have a single layer multi format dru-430a Sony I'm happy with.

As to hooking up audio cable- it depends; I have the first model Soundblaster Audigy, and the instructions say to hook up the audio cables to the bay. As to hooking audio cables to say a cd-rom device, I've read that on newer systems, you don't, older systems you do- why, not exactly sure; could be the motherboard chipset or something- that's where the "depends" part comes in. I think I read this in MaxPC. In your case, if the instructions say you need to hook up the audio, I'd say you should do it, no matter what the age of your system, especially if you have the internal bay as I do. Hmm...but wait, now that I think of it, I'm sure I don't have an audio output from either of my optical drives to my Audigy bay, but an output from motherboard to bay. If you don't have the bay, I'd think you'd have to connect the audio out to your soundcard...guess the proof is in the pudding. How your system setup now, with audio output to card? Pull it and see what happens? Wink

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(NT)Opps. "Dual format"=Multi Format.
Aug 9, 2004 2:57PM PDT

.

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Great name.
Aug 9, 2004 11:50AM PDT

And you pay for it. If you need a longer warranty, support and such, then the extra 100+ bucks may be worth it. 12X single layer all format DVD recorders are in the 79 buck range for those that know how to install a drive.

As to the audio output of the drive, I didn't bother since I didn't plan on using the analog playback of said drive.

Bob

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Re: Great name.
Aug 12, 2004 12:08AM PDT

ok, so I think I will shop around for a less-expensive alternative.
I sent Creative an e-mail and they said that WindowsXP will extract digital audio from the PCI slot, basicly it was saying that only if you want recording for editing and stuff you needed to connect it to the card...at least that is how I understood it. I think I will keep them plugged in...since I like the way its working, how ever that is...
I will just find a less-expensive DVD-Burner and set it up, but if the audio thing fails the 56X CD-ROM will go first.
And should I be using the Digital Out's on the drives, or the Analog's? I am using the Analog right now because the Digital said CD_SPDIF on it, and I don't want the playback to SPDIF, I want it into the computer and then out to speaker, not the SPDIF ports on the front...any more advice/warnings/suggestions...?

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Just FYI.
Aug 12, 2004 12:42AM PDT

With the dive of all format single layer LG/Teac/others DVD recorders to near the 50 buck level (the office got a pair of Teacs for 42 bucks each!), the pressure is certainly from the new dual layer recorders which dropped promptly to the 89 and 99 buck level unless you get a plextor.

What I want to share is that you can't expect these drives to last more than a couple years in most cases since the price comes at a cost. They usually skimp as much as they can so take it for what its worth that even Plextor doesn't give you a 3 to 5 year warranty.

Bob