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Top 10 DVD Drives

Seven new models take positions on the chart, including the fast Plextor PX-716UF external drive.

Melissa J. Perenson

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Plextor PX-716A PCW Rating: 70.4PCW Rating: 70.4PCW Rating: 70.4

Last Rated:

1. Plextor Plextor PX-716A

16X DVD+R, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD+R DL, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD-RW write speeds, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 8MB buffer, Internal IDE drive, Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.1 Basic software, Price when ranked: $125

Bottom Line: Feature-rich drive provides fine overall performance. A firmware update adds support for 6X +R DL and 2X -R DL.

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Toshiba SD-R5372 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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2. Toshiba Toshiba SD-R5372

16X DVD+R, 16X DVD-R, 5X DVD+R DL, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD-RW write speeds, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 2MB buffer, Internal IDE drive, Nero Express 6.3 software, Price when ranked: $130

Bottom Line: Swiftest drive on the chart at burning a single-layer disc. Nero software is jam-packed with components.

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DVR-A09XLB Dual Layer DVDRW Writer (16x/4x/16x DVD+RW, 16x/6x/16x DVD-RW, 6x DVD+R DL, 40x/24x/40x CD-RW) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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BEST BUY!

3. Pioneer DVR-A09XLB Dual Layer DVDRW Writer (16x/4x/16x DVD+RW, 16x/6x/16x DVD-RW, 6x DVD+R DL, 40x/24x/40x CD-RW)

16X DVD+R, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD+R DL, 4X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW write speeds , 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 2MB buffer, Internal IDE drive, Ulead DVD Movie Factory 3.5 Studio Suite Deluxe software, Price when ranked: $115

Bottom Line: Couples terrific DVD write performance with a stellar software bundle. Took 25 percent more time on CD-R writes than did the leader.

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SOHW-1693S PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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4. Lite-On SOHW-1693S

16X DVD+R, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD+R DL, 4X DVD-R DL, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW write speeds, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 2MB buffer, Internal IDE drive, Nero Express 6.3 software, Price when ranked: $65

Bottom Line: Update to previous model (the SOHW-1673S) adds dual-layer support to an inexpensive drive; has older Nero version.

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DRU800A Double Dual Layer DVD?RW Writer (16x/8x/16x DVD+RW, 16x/6x/16x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 48x/24x/40x CD-RW) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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5. Sony DRU800A Double Dual Layer DVD?RW Writer (16x/8x/16x DVD+RW, 16x/6x/16x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 48x/24x/40x CD-RW)

16X DVD+R, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD+R DL, 4X DVD-R DL, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW write speeds, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 2MB buffer, Internal IDE drive, Nero Express 6.6 software, Price when ranked: $130

Bottom Line: Like its predecessor, this model is a speedy single-layer writer. Well-rounded, updated Nero software completes the package.

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16xDVDRW 6x Double Layer Speed PCW Rating: 79.2PCW Rating: 79.2PCW Rating: 79.2

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6. ASUS 16xDVDRW 6x Double Layer Speed

16X DVD+R, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD+R DL, 6X DVD-R DL, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW write speeds, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 2MB buffer, Internal IDE drive, Nero Express 6.3 software, Price when ranked: $70

Bottom Line: Great overall performer with top specs, at a terrific price. Comes with an older Nero bundle that lacks some components.

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Samsung TS-H552U/RSWN Double Layer DVDRW Drive (Beige) PCW Rating: 78.0PCW Rating: 78.0PCW Rating: 78.0

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7. Samsung Samsung TS-H552U/RSWN Double Layer DVDRW Drive (Beige)

16X DVD+R, 16X DVD-R, 5X DVD+R DL, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD-RW write speeds, 40X CD-R, 32X CD-RW write speeds, 2MB buffer, Internal IDE drive, Nero Express 6.3 software, Price when ranked: $60

Bottom Line: Bargain drive is a solid single-layer writer, but lagged on DL writes behind the Toshiba SD-R5372, also rated at 5X for +R DL.

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PX-716UF External Dual Layer DVD?RW Writer (16x/8x/16x DVD+RW, 16x/4x/16x DVD-RW, 4 DVD+R DL, 48x/24x/48x CD-RW) PCW Rating: 79.0PCW Rating: 79.0PCW Rating: 79.0

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8. Plextor PX-716UF External Dual Layer DVD?RW Writer (16x/8x/16x DVD+RW, 16x/4x/16x DVD-RW, 4 DVD+R DL, 48x/24x/48x CD-RW)

16X DVD+R, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD+R DL, 6X DVD-R DL, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD-RW write speeds, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 8MB buffer, External FireWire and USB 2.0 drive, Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.1 Basic and Toast Lite 6.1 software, Price when ranked: $230

Bottom Line: This drive has it all: stylish curves, Mac and PC software, and stellar performance. Comes in assorted vivid colors.

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DVD Writer 640e PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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9. HP DVD Writer 640e

16X DVD+R, 8X DVD-R, 2.4X DVD+R DL, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD-RW write speeds, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 2MB buffer, External FireWire and USB 2.0 drive, Sonic Record Now 7.22 and ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD 2.2 software, Price when ranked: $160

Bottom Line: Double-layer writes were poky, as expected given the drive's speed rating. Has LightScribe labeling technology.

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d2 Lightscribe External Dual Layer DVD?RW Writer (16x/4x/16x DVD+RW, 8x/4x/16x DVD-RW, 40x/24x/40x CD-RW, LightScribe) PCW Rating: 73.0PCW Rating: 73.0PCW Rating: 73.0

Last Rated:

10. LaCie d2 Lightscribe External Dual Layer DVD?RW Writer (16x/4x/16x DVD+RW, 8x/4x/16x DVD-RW, 40x/24x/40x CD-RW, LightScribe)

16X DVD+R, 8X DVD-R, 2.4X DVD+R DL, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD-RW write speeds, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW write speeds, 2MB buffer, External FireWire and USB 2.0 drive, Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.1 Basic and Toast Lite 6.1 software, Price when ranked: $160

Bottom Line: Although unit is a slow DL writer, it has both LightScribe labeling and Mac software. The chassis is made of aluminum.

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We test drives under Windows XP Home on PCs with 1.67-GHz Athlon XP 2000+ CPUs and 512MB of SDRAM, using media supplied by the vendor or Verbatim. Some vendors may change drive suppliers without changing their model designations; our results reflect the configuration tested at review time.

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