Best CDRW & DVD R Combo Units?

I am building a computer for my daughter and had initially planned to buy & install a CDRW, but then realized for little or no more, I could buy a combo drive that would allow her to play DVD's. What brand and model would you guys recommend?

If money is no object then Plextor, otherwise Liteon.

SuperSparks, the budget has unfortunately already been overstretched so I will probably go with the Lite-on. I was looking at the Lite-on SOHC 5232K - does anyone have any experience with this?

Not that model combo drive, but I buy Lite-On DVD burners exclusively now, after being a Plextor fan for a long, long time. I believe the Lite-On products are a MUCH better deal for the dollar than Plextor, and have zero problems with them. Highly recommended in general.

For a comprehensive review of this drive specifically, go

here .

Doesn't get just great reviews, but it IS a combo drive, and fairly inexpensive. This link is a great source for optical drive reviews in general by the way...

Thanks for the link Shiva. Based on that review and other recommendations for Lite-on optical drives in general, I will likely go with this model. I am also going to book mark that site for future reference.

Why not check out the price of a Lite on DVDRW, might not be much in it now, and you'll be able to burn dvd's too.

I second the motion...

I don't why you were specifically looking for a combo drive. I'd recommend a LiteOn DVD-+RW drive, can still burn CD's, plus are great for burning DVD's.

On a combo drive you can't actually copy between the two drives can you? This would be the only advantage that I can imagine compared to a DVD burner to begin with.

I'm using the LiteOn model 811(I think!) 8x dvd burner, and LOVE it. Works with everything, fast, quiet, what's not to like?

;)

P.S. the 4x models are under $100.00 now, 8x may still be slightly over $100, but check eBay if you're interested...

P.S.S. just looked on eBay and the latest DUAL-LAYER 8x burners are selling for under $100.00! This is approx. 9gig per disk and is still fully compatible with all single-layer media. Wish I had one...

Actually, I just purchased a NEC Dual Layer DVDRW for my gaming machine for $77 from Newegg. I was going to move my gaming machine CDRW to her machine, but decided to leave it installed and install the DVDRW in an external USB2 case that I have.

That way, if I need to burn a DVD, I can do it on my machine. She will still need a CDRW for music, etc. and I thought since I am buying her a CDRW, I might as well get her a DVD Rom as well. Since the CDRW was not originally budgeted, along with some other unexpected upgrades, my budget is a little stretched. Therefore, I will have to go with the less expensive CDRW/DVD Rom.

From the sounds of your requirements (or your daughters actually), you just need basic cd burning capability and dvd reading (playing) capability. Unless you (she) plans to copy certain games and or otherwise copy protected material, requiring specific capabilities/features in a reader/writer, I'd say you can get darn near any cdrw/dvdrom unit out there. It just really doesn't seem you need anything "special".

DrMDJ, you broke the code, that is exactly my thinking in determining what I need. My intent in starting this thread was to get some idea about which brands or models to either avoid or seek based on the vast experience of the Virtual Doctor membership.

Thanks to everyone for their coments and suggestions.