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HOLIDAY 2008
ROAD WARRIOR'S GIFT GUIDE
External Storage
There are dozens of
makes and models of external optical drives, from
basic CD-RW to top-end BluRay drives. We felt
that the BD option was a bit too much, considering
the 12.1" display was too small to watch an HD
movie. So the next best thing was a
multi-format CD/DVD burner, and this is what we saw
to be the best bang for the buck:
External Optical Drive:
HP dvd555s
The drive also burns images on the top side of
Lightscribe blanks
Included are an AC adapter, short USB cable, and
weighted stand
Typical slim drive design
Business end shows DC input and USB 2.0 interface
Here is the drive in its vertical mounting stand
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HP
dvd555s Specifications
USB 2.0
DVD+R up to 8X (ZCLV); DVD+RW up to 8X
(ZCLV); DVD-R up to 8X(ZCLV); DVD-RW up
to 6X (ZCLV); DVD+R Double Layer up to
6X (ZCLV); DVD-R Dual Layer up to 6X (ZCLV);
DVD-RAM up to 5X (ZCLV); CD-R up to 24x
(ZCLV); CD-RW up to 24x (ZCLV)
DVD-ROM up to 8X (CAV); CD-ROM up to 24x
(CAV)
Compatibility
Device write media compatibility: CD-R,
CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R,
DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, LightScribe CD-R,
LightScribe DVD+R, LightScribe DVD-R,
4.7 GB single-sided/9.4 GB double-sided
DVD-RAM (2.6 GB single-sided/5.2 GB
double-sided media not supported) media
Device read media compatibility:
DVD-ROM, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R,
DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-Video,
CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA, CD Extra, CD-ROM
(Mode 1 - Yellow Book), CD-ROM/XA & CD-I
Ready (Mode 2/Form 2 - Green Book),
Photo-CD (single and multi-session), VCD,
CD-Text
System
requirements
Minimum system requirements: 1.3 MHz
Intel Pentium-IV processor or equivalent
or higher 256 MB RAM; Minimum hard disk
space requirements: 1 GB free for
included software installation,10 GB
free for DVD video disc creation (18 GB
free for double-layer). Internet
connectivity recommended for software
updates Operating system compatibility:
Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 / XP SP2 /
Vista (32-bit or 64-bit) Available USB
2.0 port
Software
Nero 7 Essentials
Power Adapter
+5VDC 2A, switching |
Among the various units
we've examined, the dvd555s offers the best value
for the money. Spec-wise, it is on par with
similar units, but at far lower prices.
Performance is spectacular, and most of the time,
the power adapter isn't needed! I was able to
burn DVDs, CDs, install XP, and watch DVD movies all
without any problems. Lightscribe is a neat
feature, but we have yet to try it. Full color
labels are what we prefer, but that's just us.
In traveling mode, we leave the vertical stand at
home, and pack the USB cable with us all the time.
As for the power adapter, we're looking for a
slimmer one with the same specs, or perhaps create a
double-USB signal + power cable...
With our internal 320GB WD Scorpio, we've got a
lot of space. But what if we need MORE?!
External HDD:
Oyen Digital EB2 2.5"
Enclsoure + Western Digital Scorprio Blue 500GB
The power adapter is quite big. But there are
slimmer versions available. +5VDC, 1A is more
than enough.
Yes, that's a combo eSATA / USB 2.0 A-type
connector, along with 2x 1394-B connectors.
Perhaps a single 1394-B, plus a USB 2.0 B-type
connector, and the eSATA would have been better in
our opinion.
Aluminum case with plastic end caps
500GB in a 2.5" x 9.5mm tall package
We've talked about the
marvelousness of the
Oyen Digital EB2 enclosure in the past, as well
as the ground-breaking performance and capacity of
the
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 500GB just a couple
weeks back. So it only made sense to marry
the two together into the portable half-terabyte
beast it is together. Lightweight and having
nearly every high-speed interface available, this
monster combo will provide any road-warrior with
more space for all his work files, HD movies, and
possibly even some left over capacity to do some
torrenting while connected to the free airport or
hotel wifi. The only mod needed here is a slim
power adapter.
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