Buffalo Intros Slim Portable DVD Writer with Dual Power Input Options

[btarunr]

Buffalo introduced a new slim external DVD writer, the DVSM-PC58U2V, which is available in black, white, and silver. It gives you two ways to power it - using a AC adapter if you don't mind carrying it around, or using USB, if you have two ports to spare. In USB power input mode, the drive dedicates a USB connection to drawing power, while another provides data connectivity as well as drawing power. The drive uses USB 2.0 to transfer data. Measuring 145 x 19 x 153 mm, it weights 340 g. The drive can burn discs at 8x for DVD-R/+R and DVD+RW, 6x for DVD-R/+R DL and DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x for CD-R/RW. CyberLink Power2Go 7 and InstantBurn 5 software come bundled. Available some time this month, it will be priced at US $77.



Source: TechConnect Magazine

[Completely Bonkers]

Does the drive have any form of battery or boost through a capacitor? One of the most common problems with USB powered CD/DVD drives is insufficient power to get the disk spun up. A frequent problem where it works on some laptops, not on some desktops, needing to judiciously mix USB ports for power and data, etc.

I see the picture shows "boost". What is that? Or is it a gimmick, just drawing MORE power from the second USB cable?

I guess for WRITING the external power adapter is needed.

PR department announces product launch but doesnt answer obvious questions. Throw them to the lions.

[aj28]

Originally Posted by Completely Bonkers

Does the drive have any form of battery or boost through a capacitor? One of the most common problems with USB powered CD/DVD drives is insufficient power to get the disk spun up. A frequent problem where it works on some laptops, not on some desktops, needing to judiciously mix USB ports for power and data, etc.

I see the picture shows "boost". What is that? Or is it a gimmick, just drawing MORE power from the second USB cable?

I guess for WRITING the external power adapter is needed.

PR department announces product launch but doesnt answer obvious questions. Throw them to the lions.

Going to say that the "USB" cable does data and power while the "Power" ("Boost") cable strictly draws power from the port.

[Completely Bonkers]

Er, yes. That's what they all do. But it doesn't answer my question. Very often, 2 USB cables from the same chipset, never mind different sockets, still isnt enough to be stable on all machines. Nor is it enough for "writing", hence external power supply. With an internal battery battery constantly trickle charged by the second USB then there should be enough power for all situations.