The one....

[bbq_bill]

I am in the market to buy a DVD drive for my latest project. I only have one slot to use - so I need an solid all-around performer. The NEC ND-3550A looks like a possible candidate - but from previous postings it looks like a slow reader. It also looks like firmware isn't available for it yet and any drive I get I'd like to make it region free via firmware.

I'd like to make sure that the drive can handle problem dvds. I have no issues slowing down the drive to get a good rip/read of a problem disk, as long as "clean" disks rip/read at a decent rate. It would be good if it was quiet - but I may be able to get around that...

If it matters - I also plan on using linux as the primary OS.

Any suggestions? My budget is <$100.

Thanks in advance!

bbq_bill

[mill]

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?postid=347505#post347505

http://www.micheldeboer.nl/firmware/355x.html

http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com/page/3550/

[Gary D]

I just love this burner!!!!!!!!!

After upgrading with liggydee's "1Y5" firmware, I burn all my DVD's as DVD-ROMs (using DVD+r's). I have yet to find a player that won't play a disc burnt this way. My scans are awesome now with 97's. This burner is one of Chewy's favourites.

[bbq_bill]

Guess that about does it! 3550A it is!

Thanks y'all!!!!!!

[Chewy]

Well people trying to make them into 4551's almost blew it for us, the man responsible for adding bitsetting to the modded firmware(Liggy) was ready to quit doing it. The 3550 is an awesome burner at 8x but needs firmware maturity for faster burns.

[NightTran]

I got phylip 8631 and change it to benq 1620 ( Thank to Chewy) now it burn at 8x with 97-99 quality with sony 8x+ from JP,