DVD Writer

marceggers wrote on 7/28/2002, 8:21 AM
I'm interested in purchasing the Pioneer DVR-AO4 burner. My question is this: Does it need to be installed inside my CPU or will it work alone? From its pictures it seems to be the kind of component that goes inside, but I have no vacant bays for its installation. I realize that some of you must be shaking your heads in disbelief that such a dumb question is being asked, but I honestly don't know. Thanks for your patience.

Comments

BillyBoy wrote on 7/28/2002, 11:22 AM
Generally DVD writers are internal devices unless they mention they are not and then they are either USB or firewire and also more expensive. If you are running out of bays you could pull your current CD drive and replace it with the DVD writer. All DVD writers should be able to read regular CD's. Check the specs to be sure.

If you haven't done it before, a simple, quick operation most have no trouble doing themselves. Only a ribbon and power cable to connect. Most of the newer drives are "auto" detected and are very easy to configure. About the only thing you'd after to change maybe would be from master to slave or the other way around depending on what else is connected to your system.
soundguy63 wrote on 7/28/2002, 12:12 PM
You can also buy an external enclosure and install an internal drive in that. The best course of action depends on what kind of deals you can find, how easy it is to work inside your computer, how much space you have for external devices in your work area, how many firewire ports your computer has, etc...