[Ham-Computers] Adding a DVD burner (questions)

[Philip, KO6BB]

Hi All,

Well, after all this time of resisting the urge, I think that I'm going to 
bite the bullet and soon get a DVD burner for my computer (probably next 
month).  When I had the machine built a year and a half or so ago I didn't 
get one as I didn't think I'd need one, and had heard of 'compatibility 
issues' with various burners.  Instead I had the machine built with a 52x CD 
burner AND a 52x ROM reader (both Sony units).  With my old time radio files 
etc. I use a 'lot' of mass storage.

Here are the specifics of the machine:
Systemax with Intel MoBo, 3.4GHz Pentium 4, 1GB RAM, 3 SATA hard drives (70, 
70 and 320GB, though 1 70GB drive is only connected when backing up the main 
drive) and the two CD ROM drives.  The MoBo has 4 SATA hdd ports and two IDE 
Ports that can handle 2 IDE drives each.  Both CD drives are on the same IDE 
cable. Power supply is a 550 Watt unit and the full tower still has empty 
drive slots.

Primary purpose of the drive will be for mass data storage of OTR (Old Time 
Radio) by genre or program, NOT watching videos.  Examples, Your's Truly 
Johnny Dollar consists of 756 files occupying 7GB, Lux Radio Theater 393 
files on 5GB, Theater 5 has 256 files on 4.6GB and so forth.  Many programs 
only occupy a couple hundred MB or so and could be "grouped".

I seem to recall many "compatibility" issues with early DVD burners, which 
is why I avoided them like the plague. It wouldn't do any good to burn a 
couple hundred GB of files and then be unable to access them later.  Hence 
my dependence on an external hdd for total backup of the shows.

Here are my multiple questions.
1.  For this application, what should I look for in a burner?  Keep in mind, 
this is for DATA storage, NOT for movies etc.

2.  Would I be better off with an Internal unit, adding it on the 'other' 
IDE bus as a master, or removing one of the present drives and putting it 
there?  Or would an external drive be a better (though probably more costly) 
choice.

3.  I still have more USB slots open as well as a USB hub sitting on the 
shelf.  The present 320GB external hdd runs on the firewire port, but can 
also be moved to a USB port. This external drive 'seems' a little slow when 
I copy a hundred gig or so to it, is that normal for external drives?

4.  How 'good' are laser scribe drives and DVD's?  Are they worth the extra 
cost to avoid having to make paper labels?  (many of my "bulk" downloaded 
shows include labels in .jpg format).


73 de Phil,  KO6BB
http://www.ko6bb.com
DX begins at the noise floor!
Ten Meter CW Beacon KO6BB/B, 20 Watts 24/7 on 28.248MCs.
Merced, Central California,    37.3N  120.48W  CM97sh