Morten wrote:
>
> Hi.
>
> I need to install DVD writers in a CentOS box as part of a backup setup.
> I want as little fuss as possible both with HW recognition and
> functionality. Can any of you recommend a vendor/product ?
Hardware mostly works. However, there are some problems with the
software. See this bug report for details:
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=136665
Mostly, DVD-R media will work fine, DVD+R is the problematic one. Also,
some people experienced kernel panics when attempting to burn any type
of DVDs (while the same hardware burns CD-ROMs just fine).
Long story short, buy somewhere locally where you can walk in and bring
it for full refund if you run into trouble (don't lock yourself with
small store that has restocking fees, or does only exchanges and carries
maybe two or three different models). Returning stuff by mail is
usually too much fuss and usually you need to pay shipping (so, as I
said, choose some big local store with good return policy).
> Performance of the drive is not an issue. I get confused looking at all
> the "+/-RW +R double layer yada yada" when skimming the hardware lists..
Get the one that supports media you intend to use. Most today's models
support both "+" and "-" standards (the older ones supported only one of
them). Newer usually have dual layer support too. If you need DVD-RAM
functionality, make sure the box explicitly says so (for example, newer
models of LG writers will do all currently existing formats, including
DVD-RAM). Most writers can't write to DVD-RAM, and not all readers can
read them (which is shame, DVD-RAM is the ultimate rewritable media).
Said that, at work I have one Sony DRX-710UL burner that simply doesn't
work with 2.6 kernels. First I had trouble with DVD+R media only, than
after couple of kernel updates I started getting kernel panics with any
type of DVD media. Well, at least it seems they are working on the
kernel code ;-)
At home I have LG GSA-5163D. However, I never attempted connecting it
to Linux box (my home Linux box has USB1.1 ports only). It works
perfectly under Windows (but than, all of them do), and does all current
DVD formats (+, -, R, RW, DVD-RAM and dual layer). Very fast, very
reliable. The only media I haven't tested it with is dual layer (too
expensive). It wrote to R, RW, and RAM media nicely.
Both mentioned models can be connected by either USB or firewire to the
PC. Note that by default CentOS kernel does not have support for
firewire, so that shouldn't be deciding factor (unless the writer has
only firewire, in which case skip it, not going to work with default
kernel). I tested my LG (on Windows box) with both USB and Firewire.
Worked fine with both.
