Roundup: Three External Burners : Buffalo Technology DVSM-PN58U2
2. Buffalo Technology DVSM-PN58U2
Burning
Naturally we tested the drives in burn mode. Buffalo Technology bundles CyberLink software for burning CDs and DVDs, but we stuck with the same application for all our tests - the free-of-charge CDBurnerXP Pro.
The results were unexpected. Buffalo Technology came out ahead of the two Korean-made products. On our test machine, it took just around 9 minutes to burn a 3 GB image file, compared to a little over 11 minutes with the Samsung.
According to Buffalo, The DVSM-PN58U2 portable DVD burner is designed for professionals and people on the go who use a netbook. They've put a glossy housing around it for some extra pizazz. That type of finish is almost standard these days - you find it used on monitors, TVs, and notebook computers - so this peripheral will blend right in with whatever else is on your lap or desk.
For power, Buffalo provides a USB "Y" cable, with one connector going to the drive itself, and two going to the computer. Of course the burner can operate with a single USB connector. The second one is used only if the USB port doesn't supply enough amperage. We'll see if it's really necessary to connect both USB cables to your netbook.
Read-write rates
| Buffalo Tech. DVSM-PN58U2 LG GSA-E50L Samsung SE-S084B |  |
The data-rate test was run on a Hercules eCAFE EC-900 XP, a European netbook very similar to the Asus Eee 900 series here in the U.S. The transfer rate was no different with one USB cable than it was with two. Also, our test results for copying files from the DVD to the computer were very close from one unit to another - the difference was negligible. The results for ripping an ISO image of our test DVD, however, gave the Samsung a clear advantage.
Noise level
| Buffalo Tech. DVSM-PN58U2 LG GSA-E50L Samsung SE-S084B |  |
| Buffalo Tech. DVSM-PN58U2 LG GSA-E50L Samsung SE-S084B |  |
To test energy consumption, we measure the computer's power use with the external optical burner operating. We multiply that measurement by the average time (in hours) taken to create a disk image and burn a DVD. Our result worked out to 2.9 Wh for the Buffalo. The Samsung did a lot better. Under the same conditions, its score was 2.7 Wh. That result translates into better energy efficiency for the Samsung.
| Buffalo Technology DVSM-PN58U2 | |
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| Pros | Cons |
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The Buffalo Technology DVD player / burner is the smallest and lightest in its category, and that's important for people who are always on the go. However, it's not the quietest in the group.
quick question..
these plug and play types can be used to install an OS, right?
Confused? The article says the Buffalo was the fastest, but it also says the Samsung was fastest, so gave the nod to the Samsung because it was also quiet and power efficient. The evidence seems to indicate the Buffalo was actually the fastest, so I guess it depends on what the individual user is looking for, speed or quiet.
Seems like either too much or too little caffeine here.
quick question..these plug and play types can be used to install an OS, right?
That depends on your system. If your BIOS support "booting from USB," then yes, you can install your OS from these drives. Dont worry. Just about any computer newer than 2005 will have this ability.
I have the Samsung SE-S084B. It boots my Asus 1000He Eee-PC no problem at all. It works good with 1 usb cable.
"In other words, these roundups are a work in progress."
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In other words, Digital Verses likes to kiss TG rear, so TG publish their stuff even if it's half-baked.