USB DVD drives

[ef37a]

I need to get one for my son. I have sent him a shedload of snooker DVDs (last W chshp) but he tells me his laptop won't play them. I have had similar trouble with internal players myself.

I have seen scores online at the 20quid point which is about what I would like to pay. Burning ability is not important. Advice on good, bad, ***t please.

I do understand that some of you will sniff at this talk of old technology but he likes to watch snooker whilst practising classical guitar. No need for sound!

Dave.

[pk.roberts]

It might be worth checking first why he's having problems with his internal drive. Is it a) just a CD drive, b) the fact that he just doesn't have the correct software to play DVDs or maybe c) It's set to the wrong region?
If it's b or c, you could save yourself 20 quid!

[wireman]

I would normally suggest looking at reviews of a site that caters for a more specialist user base like Scan as it is more likely you can trust reviews.
However they moslty have models above the price you mentioned apart from one model that is cheaper than the postage cost will be.

[ef37a]

It might be worth checking first why he's having problems with his internal drive. Is it a) just a CD drive, b) the fact that he just doesn't have the correct software to play DVDs or maybe c) It's set to the wrong region?
If it's b or c, you could save yourself 20 quid!

Thanks PK, his laptop is a Lenovo T430 and the drive used to work. As I said, I have had problems myself, another Lenovo actually, and I usually find uninstalling the drive and rebooting solves it. He tells me not so. I suspect the LASER in his drive is weak or mucky. He in Le Havre, me here so if I get a USB drive and it works for me there is a very good chance it will work for him?

In the absence of negative reports I shall take a shot at something mid priced...might see a name I recognise? Ugreen kit generally works OK.

Dave.

[sonics]

I'd stick with a known brand. I see you can still buy Hitachi and Asus drives. I've also had good luck with Memorex units.

[ef37a]

I'd stick with a known brand. I see you can still buy Hitachi and Asus drives. I've also had good luck with Memorex units.

Super sonics! Asus ordered, 30 quid with postage.

Dave.

[James Perrett]

I need to get one for my son. I have sent him a shedload of snooker DVDs (last W chshp) but he tells me his laptop won't play them. I have had similar trouble with internal players myself.

It may be worth checking that your son's drive still plays DVDs that it used to play. If it does then I'd suspect you have problems with your DVD writer rather than your son's DVD player.

It is very easy to accidentally tick the wrong box in your software when writing which can make discs unreadable on some players. Write lasers are also more susceptible to failure than read lasers as they have to work at higher power.

[ef37a]

I need to get one for my son. I have sent him a shedload of snooker DVDs (last W chshp) but he tells me his laptop won't play them. I have had similar trouble with internal players myself.

It may be worth checking that your son's drive still plays DVDs that it used to play. If it does then I'd suspect you have problems with your DVD writer rather than your son's DVD player.

It is very easy to accidentally tick the wrong box in your software when writing which can make discs unreadable on some players. Write lasers are also more susceptible to failure than read lasers as they have to work at higher power.

The "writer" James is a Panasonic HDD/DVD Freeview recorder so there are no "boxes" to tick, it just copies at the quality of the hard disc recording.

Should be here Wednesday so I shall give it a quick test and ship it out. Be another week until I know anything.

Dave.

[Mike Stranks]

I have one of these, Dave...

https://www.asus.com/uk/motherboards-co ... d2su_lite/

For watching DVDs, I use VLC...

[ef37a]

I have one of these, Dave...

https://www.asus.com/uk/motherboards-co ... d2su_lite/

For watching DVDs, I use VLC...

That's the one I have coming Mike. VLC yes, a very handy player, we both have it.

Dave.