HP Dvd 740WE LightScribe External DVD Burner USB 2.0

List Price: $199.95

Features:

• Double your storage space to 8.5GB per dual-format
• Write to DVD±R DL, DVD±R/±RW as well as CD-R/RW
• HP easy LightScribe disc labeling
• Writing speeds 16x/8x/8x DVD+R/DL/RW
• Reading speeds 40x/32x CD-R/RW

Customer Reviews:

DO NOT BUY ONE! [Posted on 2007-05-01]
I got the dvd740e as a gift and rarely used it to burn to dvds, cds and lightscribe labels. The unit worked fine for about 9 months and then it wouldn't recogize blank HP brand dvds discs or cds. I got with HP technical support and had the drive replaced under its original 1 year warranty. The replacement drive also failed with the same problems. I have had to get this model drive replaced five times all with the same problems. These HP burners are made with LiteOn technology. I am now getting an upgrade to the next model HP dvd840. I hope I will not have the same problems. Anyway, I don't know what the problem is with this drive. This technology is not something new and these burners should not be having these problems. Again read reviews, compare and do not buy this drive. Maybe the latest model which is the HP dvd940 is better.

Product Support Not as Advertised [Posted on 2007-06-08]
HP Support guide says that tech support is available 24/7. The telephone number provided only gets you to a long menu and eventurally to another number to call. After giving your name, phone number, model number, servial number many times you are given a third number that provides "service" 9 to 5 M-F. After giving all of the information a few more times you are referred to "level 2" which in theory will send you a
RMA after you FAX them a copy of the sales invoice. Calls back to them requires going throught the same maze and they don't seem to have a record of your previous calls of FAX. E-mail support is not available for this product and they will not provide any other means of communication. FAXING a letter to them is just an exorcise. Looks like I have purchased a large paper weight.

Don't waste your money [Posted on 2007-07-16]
I choose this burner because the advertising claimed it was problem-free and compatible with my HP computer, but I have had nothing but trouble with it. It vibrates and hums like a cement mixer, and more than half of the time my computer does not recognize it - a common problem for this model.

Poorly Designed Power Connector [Posted on 2007-12-13]
I bought this product, installed the software, and burned a couple of DVDs with no problems. The next time I tried to use it, however, I saw the same problem noted in other reviews for this product. Namely, my computer no longer saw the drive. What was happening, at least in my case, is that the power connector to the drive itself was not snug and the drive ended up losing power. If I fiddled with the connector long enough power would be restored, and my computer would recognize it again. Unfortunately, I had to keep my finger on the connector to maintain power to the drive, so using it to actually create DVDs was pointless. I do not believe the connector was damaged since I only had the product in my possession for four days, and was very careful with it during that time. I ended up returning the product and purchasing a competitor's model. In summary, an otherwise nice product is nearly worthless due to a very poor design for the power connector.

Piece of crap [Posted on 2008-08-06]
I would not advise anyone to purchase this item. It was poorly made for it does not do what it was intended to do. It is unreliable, mostly does not work. It is worthless as it does not burn anything.

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