It is not very often that you have need for an external DVD drive; however, I recently purchased a HP Mini 1000, which does not include a DVD drive. So I went out and bought one and while I am waiting for the HP Mini to arrive I thought I would test out the new drive.
Features
- USB BUS powered
- Manual disc eject function
- 12 cm and 8 cm disc support
- Firmware live update
- Prevents buffer under run error and enables high speed writing
When it comes to portability you cannot get much better than a USB powered device. What this means is that the only thing you need to do is plug into a powered USB port and you are ready to go. In the case of this DVD drive you actually need two USB ports.
The Manual disk eject function is no more than a small pin hole with a button inside. The button can only be pressed by inserting a paperclip, pin, or something else really small, and it causes the drive to open so you can retrieve your disk.
Support for both 12 cm and 8 cm disks is nice if you need it, but I have never needed to use an 8 cm disk and I see no reason to in the near future.
Firmware live update is another feature that is nice to have, if you need it; however, after checking the Samsung website I saw that there were no updates to the firmware. For now this feature will go unused.
The one feature that is big deal is the prevention of buffer under runs. A buffer under run is when the DVD drive writes so fast that your computer cannot keep up. This will cause the buffer to run out and your disk will be ruined. The Buffer under run protection will cause the burner to slow down so the computer can keep up.
In case you don’t already have your own DVD burning software the drive comes with some basic Nero software, including: Nero Express 7, Backitup 2, Vision 4, Recode 2, ShowTime 3 and InCD 5.
Contents
This drive supports most known DVD and CD types as you can see from the image below.
Drive Info
Design
I think the design is the single best part about this drive. The drive measures a very small 19mm(H)x141mm(W)x157mm(D).
The entire device has only two buttons, an activity light, and one mini USB port. The two buttons are the eject button, and the Manual disk eject button, which I talked about above. The activity light is just to the left of the eject button.
Front
On the back is the mini USB port and is both how it connects to your computer, and also how it gets its power.
Back
Performance
The drive is extremely easy to setup. My computer automatically detected the drive as soon as I plugged it in, and assigned it the next drive letter, which in my case is k. I didn’t have to install any software because I already had a CD/DVD writing program. Even though it comes with a cable that has two USB plugs (one for communication and the other for power) I found that I only needed one of the USB plugs. For all my tests I plugged in both just in case it affected the performance or quality of the drive.
I ran it through a couple of speed tests to see just how well it would do. The first test was with Double Layer DVDs. As you can see, even though it is rated at 8x and I used 8X media, it only achieved a maximum of 6x.
Write Speed
DVD read speed 2
The next test was with CDs. Again it is rated for 24x read and write, but only the write made it that high. The read scores were quite a bit less.
Data-CD read
Data-CD write
I also noticed some very strange wavy lines in the DVD after it wrote. Here you can see a picture of a DVD that was burned by the Samsung SE-S084B, and another one that was burned by a drive I have in my desktop computer. I am not sure what the wavy lines are, but they did not seem to affect the quality of the disk because every disk worked just fine.
Wavy Lines
DVD Burn
Quality
Warranty
The warranty is nothing spectacular. It comes with a paltry 1 year labor and parts. Support is found by contacting the company through the website or through a telephone.
Conclusion
I am very pleased with this drive. As I mentioned at the beginning, I bought this for a netbook that I was buying. It works great in every case and I look forward to using it with the HP mini when it arrives. The Samsung SE-S084B is available for about $65 on either Newegg or Amazon
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this burner did not work with my Mac Powerbook. It would recognize the drive but not burn. The two USB cables are ridiculous. They need a longer cord on the second one!
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Sorry to hear that you are having problems with the drive. I didn’t have a MAC to test with when I did the review, but I didn’t have any problems with my HP mini Netbook or my Toshiba laptop. Fortunately, either I had two USB ports close together or I was run the DVD drive with just one USB plug. I suppose you could get a USB extension cord.
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Ryan -
i too just got the HP Mini. I was going to buy the HP dvd555s (similar to th Samsung) but i read a review saying it can only be powered by its own (included) AC adapter and NOT by USB (or the USB port of the Mini) !!! Is that true ??? If so, then its NOT portable (tho not advertised as a “portable”)….
Also, please email (or direct me to) your review (if u write/wrote one) of the Iomega Superslim DVD Portable Writer (model # 34427 ?), including if this unit can run entiely on the Mini’s USB port. Thx!
- paul m. / los angeles
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I don’t have any experience with the dvd555s or the Superslim. Is there a reason you don’t want or cannot get the SE-S084B?
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Ryan, do you know if the Samsung drive will also be compatible with the HP Mini 110? I just ordered one and this looks like the best option, if it works. The 110 solves the 2 USB problem by putting 2 USB ports on one side.
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I have not reviewed the Mini 110 so I cannot say for sure, but I have used the SE-S084B on several different laptops and desktops, all using Windows Vista or XP, and it has always worked for me.
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The HP Mini 110 comes with Linux as an operating system. Will the SE-S084 be compatible?
Thanks
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Good review, covered the important things. One question, how resistant is it to shocks when reading? I’m looking to put one in an upcoming CarPC build, but i’m concerned about how it will perform with all the bumps and rattles that you would get in such an environment. Any thoughts/experience?
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I can’t get sound when using SE-S084B to play a dvd on my HP Pavilion DV2 Notebook using windows player. Can anybody offer some advice. I have checked every possible sound related device on the notebook but no problem stands out.
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I have exactly the same problem with my HP mini and this DVD drive. Have you had any answers?
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Hi I just have one quick question about the dual layer write speed. I recently bought some verbatim discs for burning and they are the 2.4x type. Even though this drive is rated at 6 x write speed, can it still write at 2.4x? I apologize if this is a stupid question but i am quite new to this
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This is actually a fairly common situation. Fortunately, the drive will adjust its speed to match your disks. Usually, I have seen a selection area in the DVD burning software to choose the speed, and even when set to maximum it will never exceed the max speed of either the disk or drive.
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So say i used this for dvd decrypter and i put the speed at 2.4X it will burn at said speed?
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Yes
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okay thank you for your help, because i was torn between this and the lg ge20 external drive which had a supported write speed of 2.4x for dvd+r DL
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I can’t get the software that came with my samsung DVD writer to work on my netbook. It keeps saying that it has encountered a problem and needs to close. WHat a surprise. Any suggestions? I am not that tech savvy…
Thanks!
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I never used the software, all my computers recognized the drive without it.
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Hi Ryan, I bought this portable burner and it works ok with my netbook (Asus EEE).
But, do you have any idea where I can get a nice and suitable bag to put it into?
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I don’t know of any cases that we made specifically made for this burner, any old bag will do just fine. What I ended up doing was buying a Netbook case that had an extra large pocket that would fit the drive.
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ok… forgive my igorance.. as i thought this wud be the easiest thing to achieve .. but i need help!
HOW DO I ACTUALLY MAKE A COPY OF A DVD?!!!
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You need a program that can decrypt the DVD. Currently my favorite program is DVDFab (www.dvdfab.com)
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Ryan… is that post for me??
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Yes
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Thanks!!
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when i use this with my netbook no matter what program i use to watch dvds i cant hear the sound. before i was using power dvd and the trial expired and since that it wont play the sound.
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it will now play sound when i watch dvds no matter what software i use to watch dvds.
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hi D, that’s exactly what happened with my netbook, I downloaded a DVD writer, and now sound won’t work. My sound on my netbook is fine, it’s just the DVD writer, sound won’t work and I don’t know what to do…how did you get your sound to work? Please help!
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Hi, a friend just bought one of these for use with a desktop (P4 2.something GHz). It shows up OK in My Computer, and reads and plays DVDs, CDs, home-recorded CD-Rs and CD-RWs. But if I put a new, unrecorded CD-R, CD-RW or DVD-R in the drive, selecting the drive in My Computer brings a Windows Explorer error window:
J:\ is not accessible
Incorrect Function.
Any ideas to help, please? Thanks in advance!
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That is actually what is suppose to happen. Windows cannot display the contents of an empty CD. If you want to put something on it then you need to drag it over first and burn it. If you have Autorun enabled then when you put in a blank disk Windows should pop up a little window with all your options.
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Dear Ryan,
i brought this drive from a while and it works perfectly reading and wrinting and now i have tested a CD worked from while and when checking again now it does not work showing me the error message indicated above knowing that other activities work fine like reading wring CDs and DVDs,what can cause such kind of problem, a little help much prociated, thanks in advance.
Sincerely yours,
Anmar Al_janabi
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Many thanks, Ryan, I understand now.
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Although the software ConvertXto DVD recognise the Samsung burner (Drive E) when I clicked the start button, it shows burning started and stops there at 0% and it hangs and you cannot eject the disk at all. It can only be ejected by removing the 2 usb and restart it again.
Is ConvertXto DVD not compatible with this burner?
Your assistanc eis appreciated. Thanks
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It does sound like the software is locking the burner so that it cannot be opened, but I am not familiar with that software, so I cannot be sure.
Also you can open the burner by using the emergency eject button. It is to the right of the normal eject button and you have to use a paper clip or pin to push it.
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Thanks for the reply, Ryan.
Yes it is the software and once I updated it, it works fine now.
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hai, I have samsum DVD writer, all of the other sounds are working (Widows defalt,Other audio sounds and CD audio sounds) but the DVD audio sounds are not working, DVD writer can play the Video but not the audio of that video, All the other CD’s can paly audio and video both,
Is it a problem of DVD writer?
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No this is not a problem with the DVD Player. What software are you using to play the DVD? Most likely that software does not have the correct Audio Codecs. You may want to download a demo version of PowerDVD or some other DVD program that has the codecs included.
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Thanks fo the reply Ryan
I am using nero show time and windows media player at the movement, what software do you prefer me to play DVD, Is it GOM player good?
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Hi there, sorry to bug you, but I was wondering if you fixed your audio problem because this was the exact same problem I’m having, i’m using nero and windows media player too…I am completley clueless about computers, so any sort of help…thanks!
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hi Ryan
ive got this dvd drive and it did load software ok orignally altho ive just come to instal some more and my asus eee wont recognise the dvd drive at all – also when it did work it told me t couldt play any of my daughters dvd’s
any ideas please?
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There are many reasons why the Eee is not recognizing it anymore, it could be that your USB port is going bad, or perhaps there is a problem with the operating system. I would probably reload the system using the restore disks and see if that fixes things.
As far as playing DVDs I don’t think the Eee comes with DVD playing software. You just need to find some that works with the Eee and you will not have any problems (if you solve the first problem first)
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Hi, I have recently purchased this Samsung slim SE-S084 DVD writer which is playing OK on my eeepc but strangely it is not being accepted by my desktop PC. When I plug in both the USB jacks, the green light on the DVD player starts blinking but the desktop does not recognise the player. My Computer Hardware Devise Manager screen goes on jumping to register this device but the jumping does not stop.Any suggestions what to do ?
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It could be either bad USB ports or a bad OS. You could try different USB ports, or reinstalling the OS.
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My friend recently purchased this writer and I began to use it. I tried to burn an audio CD and when I inserted it, the drive on My Computer disappeared then the sound for hardware being present and removed started to play after a couple of seconds while reading the blank CD. I also tried to insert a game CD (Hoyle Puzzle and Board Games 2010) and it did the same thing. I did use a blank DVD and it seemed fine but I didn’t want to go ahead and burn anything. My USB ports are fine and I have both XP and Vista running on 2 machines (netbook w/XP). Both showed the same thing on the netbook. Is the writer faulty?
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Does the drive ever show up on the computer? Did you plug in both USB plugs? If those are no then it is possible you have a faulty drive.
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I actually used a single USB plug instead of the one in the box. I assumed that the single would work. I plugged both in and it works now. Thanks a lot!
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Hello,
can somebody recommend a way to get sound on DVDs? I understand that I’m missing some decoder, can I download it for free somewhere? thanks
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Download a Trial version of PowerDVD. That will include all the decoders you need.
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hey there Ryan!
so my prob. is same as many others (using Eee netbook, nero8, windows media player)and cannot get audio sound to work…you say to download trial powerdvd to decode something? Is there a safe website you recommend to download this trial powerdvd? Also, read through the thread and read that this “D” person had same audio problems, but before using dvd writer, he had already downloaded and been using powerdvd until trial expired, but then again, he said the audio is now working, soo.. sorry this is super long, but thanks for any help!
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Hey Ryan
gosh, I wrote this really long reply but didn’t post, basically my question is: Is there a website you recommend when downloading a trial powerdvd? I have the same problem, using Eee netbook, with windows media player, and no sound…arggh…thanks for your help!
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I like to download software directly from the manufacturer. In the case of Power DVD that is http://www.cyberlink.com. Also the trial for PowerDVD will eventually run out, but the codecs that are loaded should continue to work with other video players (Media Player, VLC, etc.).
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hey ryan, thanks for the response. So i downloaded the cyberlink powerDVD, hoped for the codec to apply, but when trying to watch the DVD with windows media player using samsung DVD writer, it read something on the lines of “does not contain suitable audio codec for windows media player DVD playback”. So I don’t think downloading powerDVD worked in applying the suitable codec…do you have any suggestions?? Any would be great.
thanks
btw: I can watch DVD using powerDVD, but I want to be able to use my own windows media player, since powerDVD is only a trial…
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Cyberlink must have changed their codecs so they only work with their own software. You may want to contact Cyberlink and see why the codecs don’t work with other programs. Maybe they want money for this feature. You could also try looking for an older version of PowerDVD (8 or 7) so it does not have this restriction. I don’t know of any other way to get it to work.
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Okay, thank you very much for all your help…I’ll try to figure something out…somehow :/
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Hi Skims000.. just download GOMPlayer,VLC, or KMPlayer.. these are all free and have bundled codecs. works for me.
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Hi there. When i’m trying to burn audio cd’s, it either stops during the process or burn the numbers in very low quality. Could anyone tell me what to do. I use normal CD-R cd’s. Is it because I have to use DVD-R instead??
Thanks in advance
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hi i’ve just bought the samsung burner that u reviewed, just wondering if u know how to burn a movie off a video camera straight onto a dvd using the burner?? i’ve read the manual for the video camera and is says i can?? i don’t think its a power issue because i’ve tried it both in my computer and using an external power source… any ideas thanx
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It depends on what format your camera records in. If it is saved to a tape, then you have to get it on your computer first (consult the user guide for your camera). Once the video is on your computer you will need to use a program like Nero to convert, and burn it.
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I have a Toshiba netbook with Win7 Starter and the samsung S084 drive. The drive was automatically recognised and drivers installed. but i can’t read any discs passed the root directory, no video or audio discs play, and under windows explorer i can’t see anything beyond the root directory. I am not happy with this drive as I am wasting alot of time and money (buying codecs, and media players) trying to find an answer – can anyone help or should just chuck it away and buy another brand (would be cheaper I think)??
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I have never heard of this happening before. It could be a limitation with Win7 Starter, or it could be a problem with the DVD drive. Either way Codecs and Media players are for play videos, not for seeing directories.
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did not worked with my mini Hp, still cant work =/
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I’m sorry that it is not working, but you are going to have to provide more information. The cable has two USB plugs on one end, did you plug both into the HP Mini? Does it turn on? Did you try it on a different machine? Did it work?
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i bought the samsung dvd writer SE-S084 but i can’t install the software that comes with it. I brought it back to where i bought it but they said that my laptop OS is ok just that when it comes in the device manager, my PCI device and network controller are not installed. Is this the reason why i couldn’t install the software? How can i fix it?
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Because 3 months ago the internal burner of my MacBook Pro “died” i bought the external samsung dvd writer SE-S084. It works like a charm!
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I bought the Samsung SE-S084C. Worked great with my Mac for 5 months. Then it wouldn’t spin anymore. Took forever to get anyone at Samsung, even using their lousy instant chat. Finally, over the phone, was told to send to Total Tech Solutions in NJ, at my expense, of course. They had it several weeks. When it finally arrived, it still didn’t work. I’ve returned this item 3 times. Now I have to say TTS has been great about emailing me prepaid UPS labels, but I swear I think they put it on a shelf for a week, send it back to me and hope I’ll get tired of the game. Never buy Samsung again.
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