Decent external CD Writer to Burn CDs
Discussion
I have an Apple MacMini that I have owned for a while, in fact it is officially a 'classic' in as much as Apple no longer supports it now !
A couple of years ago it had to be repaired and was refurbished by an indy Apple shop. The internal Apple CD drive ( which would not accept CDs) was not economic to replace, so I then bought a cheap external CD writer from PC World (!).
This writer is now not able to Burn music to CDs ( I like to have a CD in the car for convenience !)
I am assuming it is the Writer : When I try to burn CDs from my iTunes playlist it goes so far and then puts up a message about 'medium error' and spits the blank CD out.
Is there a decent CD Writer that will do the job for a decent price...or is it a software issue?
As can be seen.... I am not a computer techie!
A couple of years ago it had to be repaired and was refurbished by an indy Apple shop. The internal Apple CD drive ( which would not accept CDs) was not economic to replace, so I then bought a cheap external CD writer from PC World (!).
This writer is now not able to Burn music to CDs ( I like to have a CD in the car for convenience !)
I am assuming it is the Writer : When I try to burn CDs from my iTunes playlist it goes so far and then puts up a message about 'medium error' and spits the blank CD out.
Is there a decent CD Writer that will do the job for a decent price...or is it a software issue?
As can be seen.... I am not a computer techie!
The External Burners always seem a bit flimsy to me. That said, the Liteon I use very occasionally still does the job.
https://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/blu-...
I used to have a 5.25" Desktop DVD Burner in an Enclosure.
https://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/blu-...
I used to have a 5.25" Desktop DVD Burner in an Enclosure.
Medium error could be down to a dying drive, or old media. How old are the CDRs you're burning to?
If you want simply replace the burner, then both slot-loading USB-powered external, or drawer-loading mains-powered burners are available.
I've been using two USB-powered models on different computers (one is a more expensive Samsung SE-208AB, the other is a cheap slot-loading Cybernova model) and have had no burning issues using either with decent media ( Taiyo Yuden Professional media).
The larger, mains-powered ones can be faster at burning due to having access to more power, but I find the power supplies die before the burner.
It's just a personal decision as to which you prefer.
If you want simply replace the burner, then both slot-loading USB-powered external, or drawer-loading mains-powered burners are available.
I've been using two USB-powered models on different computers (one is a more expensive Samsung SE-208AB, the other is a cheap slot-loading Cybernova model) and have had no burning issues using either with decent media ( Taiyo Yuden Professional media).
The larger, mains-powered ones can be faster at burning due to having access to more power, but I find the power supplies die before the burner.
It's just a personal decision as to which you prefer.
Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 28th April 09:06
Thanks for those replies.
I shall get some new CD-R discs first ....seems the cheapest option ! ( Just noticed mine are Tescos finest ....!)
My CD collection is a mixture of older CDs, newer digital remasters and the latest downloads from iTunes..... perhaps it is the mixture of different types of source material that is causing an issue as well?
TBH it was a cheap tray loading CD writer purely to burn the odd music CD so it may have expired anyway !!
It is also USB powered which may be an issue also.
I listen to CDs in the car just because my Volvo ( 2010 C30, only has an aux connection in the armrest, there is no USB in the car for music ( slightly surprising really as it is the R Design model ! )
Otherwise the sound system is excellent, perhaps the best in any car I have owned.
On longer journeys I use the aux in with my iPhone etc, but due to this Lockdown situation I have a shorter commute so its quicker to just switch on the CD, no cables etc, although I do have a Bluetooth adaptor as well but it's all a 'bit of a faff' as we say .
I shall get some new CD-R discs first ....seems the cheapest option ! ( Just noticed mine are Tescos finest ....!)
My CD collection is a mixture of older CDs, newer digital remasters and the latest downloads from iTunes..... perhaps it is the mixture of different types of source material that is causing an issue as well?
TBH it was a cheap tray loading CD writer purely to burn the odd music CD so it may have expired anyway !!
It is also USB powered which may be an issue also.
I listen to CDs in the car just because my Volvo ( 2010 C30, only has an aux connection in the armrest, there is no USB in the car for music ( slightly surprising really as it is the R Design model ! )
Otherwise the sound system is excellent, perhaps the best in any car I have owned.
On longer journeys I use the aux in with my iPhone etc, but due to this Lockdown situation I have a shorter commute so its quicker to just switch on the CD, no cables etc, although I do have a Bluetooth adaptor as well but it's all a 'bit of a faff' as we say .
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