What new cd/dvd writer/reader drive for GX 270?

Have come to the point where we are not able to play/access a significant
amount of info sent us because it is on DVD discs or is in the form of promo
video on such discs.

What should we be considering for an upgrade for our OptiPlex GX270?

This has the 'desk top' rather than tower format which only seems to provide
space for one drive unit, so it may be that an external drive of some kind
might provide more functionality than a straight upgrade of the onboard
slot.

Ideally we would like to kill two birds with one stone and get something
that would work through both the pc and the tv: Are there external drives
that can be used to read/write all discs and view commercial 'films', and
plug into either the pc/laptop or tv for example? Or is this a silly idea
and we should be looking at two different devices - or even three (ie
upgrade internal, and still get an external drive AND a new unit for the
tv/entertainments area as well?)?

I expect this is a well aired subject already, but what are the latest
options, (I am writing from the UK). I spent an evening browsing hardware
at Amazon, but there is altogether too much out there for me to take in -
even just looking at Amazon!

Helpful suggestions much appreciated,

Regards,

S

> -----Original Message-----
> From: spamlet [mailto:spam.morespam@spamola.invalid]
> Posted At: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 2:08 PM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: What new cd/dvd writer/reader drive for GX 270?
> Subject: What new cd/dvd writer/reader drive for GX 270?
>
> Have come to the point where we are not able to play/access a
> significant
> amount of info sent us because it is on DVD discs or is in the form of
> promo
> video on such discs.
>
> What should we be considering for an upgrade for our OptiPlex GX270?
>
> This has the 'desk top' rather than tower format which only seems to
> provide
> space for one drive unit, so it may be that an external drive of some
> kind
> might provide more functionality than a straight upgrade of the
onboard
> slot.
>
> Ideally we would like to kill two birds with one stone and get
> something
> that would work through both the pc and the tv: Are there external
> drives
> that can be used to read/write all discs and view commercial 'films',
> and
> plug into either the pc/laptop or tv for example? Or is this a silly
> idea
> and we should be looking at two different devices - or even three (ie
> upgrade internal, and still get an external drive AND a new unit for
> the
> tv/entertainments area as well?)?
>
> I expect this is a well aired subject already, but what are the latest
> options, (I am writing from the UK). I spent an evening browsing
> hardware
> at Amazon, but there is altogether too much out there for me to take
in
> -
> even just looking at Amazon!
>
> Helpful suggestions much appreciated,
>
> Regards,
>
> S


The easiest and simplest solution is to just put a DVD burner in the
machine. It will read/write both DVD and CD. An external is more and
really won't do the 'TV too' you want.

Here's a nice retail version for $32. Should come with at least a
stripped down copy of some burning software. Take out the CD drive,
make sure the DVD drive is jumpered Cable Select (should be from the
factory), plug it in. Done.

Tom

Does the smallish GX270 have the smallish notebook style CD-ROM drive? If so,
you can find a CD/DVD-RW with flat front bezel to install in its place, but this
is a little bit of a crapshoot because the bezels vary widely among notebook
brands and models. Also a little bit pricey. If the CD-ROM drive is a
standard one, replacement is easy with any of the usual decent brands: Liteon,
Sony, HL Storage (Hitachi & Lucky Goldstar).

I have no expertise on how to share a unit between TV and computer... Ben Myers

On Wed, 09 May 2007 18:08:22 GMT, "spamlet" <spam.morespam@spamola.invalid>
wrote:

>Have come to the point where we are not able to play/access a significant
>amount of info sent us because it is on DVD discs or is in the form of promo
>video on such discs.
>
>What should we be considering for an upgrade for our OptiPlex GX270?
>
>This has the 'desk top' rather than tower format which only seems to provide
>space for one drive unit, so it may be that an external drive of some kind
>might provide more functionality than a straight upgrade of the onboard
>slot.
>
>Ideally we would like to kill two birds with one stone and get something
>that would work through both the pc and the tv: Are there external drives
>that can be used to read/write all discs and view commercial 'films', and
>plug into either the pc/laptop or tv for example? Or is this a silly idea
>and we should be looking at two different devices - or even three (ie
>upgrade internal, and still get an external drive AND a new unit for the
>tv/entertainments area as well?)?
>
>I expect this is a well aired subject already, but what are the latest
>options, (I am writing from the UK). I spent an evening browsing hardware
>at Amazon, but there is altogether too much out there for me to take in -
>even just looking at Amazon!
>
>Helpful suggestions much appreciated,
>
>Regards,
>
>S
>