My DVD-RW died in my computer the other day so I need to get a new one. I really would like to get one that could read the hidden first track data that i have on several of my CDs, but I'm having trouble finding any kind of list of compatible drives that is current.

I can get my hands on a Plextor PX-810SA and I was wondering if this would do the trick. I'm having trouble figuring out what i need since there seems to be very few drives that hook up SATA in the first place.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Buy a Plextor PX-760A. It has all the capabilities you want. Go to eBay if you have to.
http://www.daefeatures.co.uk/search.php

Robert

But i don't think it has a SATA interface, does it? My computer doesn't have any IDE channels at all.

Plextor 760sa (Google is your friend)
JXL

Are Lite-On drives still a good "entry-level" option for audio ripping?

I mean, whether it's SATA or PATA aside...

Just curious.

I think spoon mentioned that he is using a Lite-On drive, and so far he is very happy with it. André Wiethoff, EAC developer, is also using one. I myself have one, but I still didn't test it. But CDFreaks said it was an excellent drive for ripping audio

And these days, more or less, any drive would do the job. By the way, the only non-entry level option in the market is Plextor

Well i have been trying to find a PX-760SA for a few weeks now. I thought i had located one, and i got sent a PX-800A.

Does anyone have a clue as to where i could pick one of these drives up at? I'm getting discouraged!

How do the other model PX-7##A's (such as the PX-716a) compare to the PX-760A. From dae drive features, it seems to be able to read the lead-in and out and also read hidden tracks.

Thanks.

Please don't waste money on a Plextor. They are, and always have been, pure marketing hype. Plextor is the Bose of burners.

I have multiple LiteOn drives that have all performed great over the years. One in particular has ripped hundreds of albums and movies nonstop and keeps going strong. Recently I bought an Optiarc 7170 because I wanted a SATA interface, and it's proving to be a great performer as well.

My good old LG GSA-4082B has never let me down =)
I can recomend it if you could find one ^^

The Plextor PX-708A is far quieter than the Lite-On LTR-52327S, and just as trouble-free. Lite-Ons have a reputation for noisiness.

And c2 error detection is where your best ripping experience can come from, Plextors seem to have better than average c2 (obviously each drive is different).

My LiteOn LH-18A1P is pretty noisy too during high speed extraction. I've got a piece of paper wedged between it and the case to reduce the vibration of the drive. My Plextor PX-W4012TA was also noisy. I removed the front facia panel from the loading tray to reduce that noise. My PX-708A is a quieter drive than both.

All have been very good at their job and I'd find it hard to objectively rate one above another.