I/OMagic’s 16X DVDRW/R simplifies DVD ReWritable Technology with one unit that does it all; giving you the ability to read and write to popular formats including DVD+R(DL), DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, CD-R, CD-RW.
Dual Format technology gives you the freedom to choose the media format (-R, -RW, +R, +RW) that is most compatible with your computer or home DVD player, while the Double Layer technology allows you to store twice as much data on DVD DL media; that’s up to 8.5GB of storage!
You can create your own DVD movies and music CDs, then view or listen them from your computer. Includes FREE black faceplate. Now you can change the faceplate of your drive from standard beige color to the included black faceplate to match your computers appearance.
Features: - Buffer Underrun Technology Included
- Create DVD movies that are compatible with most home DVD players
- Firmware Upgradeable
- Includes software to author your own home movies, and store data or music files on DVD or CD
- Operating System supported: Windows XP/2000/ME/98SE
- Stores up to 8.5GB of data (using DVD DL media)
- Watch all your favorite DVDs from your computer
1 Writing with errors after 3 months
It was great for the first 3 months. I use Nero Ultra 6 (not OEM from this product) and is up to date. After 3 months of use, it wrote with errors and cannot use those discs. Nero can varify whatever writing with it. Now, it's just a DVD-ROM, not DVD-RW double layer!
2 IO Magic Products...
First let me say that I do not work for IO Magic nor do I own one of their DVD drives but I do own one of their CD R/RW drives which I have had for 18 months. This has been the best little machine I have attached to my computer. It is a 52x24x52 drive and I have had absolutely no problems with it. I've actually had more problems with my Iomega Zip drive. I purchased it from Best Buy, actually it was a gift and I've grown quite attached to it. Not once have I had to contact IO Magic for anything regarding this drive and I am considering purchasing their DVD R/RW.
I haven't always had this much success with other electronic devices. I have worked in manufacturing where the boards for electronic devices are built and where they are put together. I've even worked for a company making the chips that go into most computers. While they all strive to produce the highest quality product they can, and quality control is pretty strict, there are still a few chips, boards, and thus finished products that slip through and end up getting shipped out and sold to the consumer. It does not mean that the company itself is producing a defective product as a rule. They can't afford to.
I've purchased Sony products, one of the most reputable companies in the electronics business, that didn't work once I turned them on. I've had to return two or three products before I got one that worked. I gave my sister a GE toaster oven for Christmas. It caught on fire after the second time she used it. GE has been producing electrical appliances forever. So just keep this in mind when you get a defective product.
3 Unreliable, expensive
First, let me point out that you can get a namebrand (NEC, Toshiba, etc.) internal DL/all-format DVD burner for under $80; try Amazon and Newegg. I found this I/O Magic at my local computer store so I bought it. Big mistake. The drive reads DVDs slower than my 3-year-old Iomega (no relation!) and write speed (on DVD-Rs) is nowhere near as advertised. Worse, about half the time it would not recognize my DVD-Rs when first inserted. This is a terrible product. Luckily I returned it for a full refund. Then I found out I could buy a better brand on Newegg for less.
This was my first I/O Magic product. I just read online reviews of their hard drive products and looks like this company's products suck big-time. They also sell under the Hi-Val brand, so beware.
4 Good value for the money
I've got this device from Staples store for little over $60 and I like it. I've seen many bad reviews for this item, mostly due to reasons that are not related to the device itself, such as bad media or bad "INTERFACE" BETWEEN the CHAIR AND the KEYBOARD. As funny as it may sounds, many reviewers just do not know how to use DVD Recorder.
Once you will get full version of Nero Burning ROM, and will update firmware (update software comes with the device), you will be settled.
Bottom line - if you need cheap and good quality DVD Burner - IDVD16DD is a good choice.
5 Slow writing, has format issue too.
I bought this DVD burner and installed it on my PC (HP workstation xw4100 , 2.0 GHz CPU, 512 MB Memory). Even though I can use this DVD burner, but I am dissappointed for the following reasons:
(1). Slow writing speed: Usually I can only have 0.4-0.8 x speed for CD-R media, far less than the 16 x advertised.
(2). Format Isuues: I used Nero Express to make some DVDs, I found they can not be read by some DVD ROM, such as my Dell Dimension 4100's NEC DV 5700A DVD/CD ROM . While DVD made by my friend using other DVD burner can be read by it.
Thus I don't want to recommend this product. Checking the cnet.com for DVD burner review to buy another one.
P.S. I saw good rating of this product on circuitcity.com , so I bought it. But when I tried to post this same information I found (with the low rating) to circuitcity.com, the site would always reject my low rating posting. It is like their policy. I think Amazon it much better than circuitcity on this.
