Personality to Burn! HP 640i DVD Writer with LightScribe Software Add your own personality and flair to your photo, video and music collections. HP’s dvd640i DVD writer, with LightScribe software included, allows you to create labels adorned with professional looking images and text for each DVD or CD your burn. This internal, double-layer DVD±R/±RW drive gives you a simple, affordable way to conveniently preserve, transport and share you videos, photos and music. You can store up to 8.5 GB of data, video, music and more on one double-layer disc! That’s almost twice as much as single-layer DVDs hold. And if you want to personalize your DVDs and CDs, simply flip your LightScribe disc over and burn your label! It’s as simple as that! No more pens, printers or peeling paper. HP’s dvd640i DVD writer - giving you personality to burn at an incredibly low price.
1 Burn DVD "Labels"? Oh really?
I've yet to see any blank DVDs for sale that are compatible with this Lightscribe system. CDs, yes, but DVDs? Not even on HP's website. Search Amazon and you'll find a product from Memorex that is, suspiciously, not available. Wish they'd change the promotional copy, or, if I'm missing something, I wish they'd make it clear where to find inScribeable DVDs.
I've used it for a couple of CDs, and it does look kinda cool, but it takes a long time, particularly at the advanced quality setting (don't bother, you'll hardly notice a difference), but I wouldn't base a computer purchasing decision on it. It came standard on my new Pavilion A1039n, which is doing great so far, no complaints-- unlike the lemon A630n which I purchased 1.30.05 and am STILL fighting with HP about.
2 Great drive
Especially for the money. Easy to install, great software bundle to boot. I simply love the drive. Now, a little skinny on the media. As of now (3-23-05) the dual layer DVD's are about 3-4 bucks a piece. They are convenient, but as of right now, you pay for that. The light scribe technology is also not free. Light scribe cd-r's, which you must use to get the light scribe to write a label, adds about .40 cents per cd-r. Does not sound like a lot, but buy a 100 cd-r's and this adds up!!! The technology is cool, it takes about 20 minutes and you have a really cool (greyscale) label imprinted on the cd. No labels, using sharpies etc. The speed of the drive is fantastic. 16X for a DVD is really flying as of now. You can't beat this drive, just don't get too excited about the technology it uses at this time, you pay for convenience. All that being said, the short falls of the drive are not the actual drive's fault, it will just take some time for the media to drop in price, and it will.
