External DVD via firewire or USB2

[Archerkit]

Hi all. Right now my HTPC is in a separate room from my TV. I'm running S-Video & optical cables for video & audio. I like it in a separate room, lets it stay noisy while keeping my TV viewing quiet.

My DVD player is running on 5 years old now, and occupying the component output on my 27" TV. (old as well, but I'm in an apartment so a big HDTV isn't in the picture yet)

I'm considering doing the following - getting a DVI-to-component output for the HTPC, and an external firewire or USB2 enclosure for a DVD-ROM, and running that to my living room. That way I've upgraded my Sage output to component, and with the purchase of an enclosure, I can use a DVD-ROM drive right in the living room. And the noisy PC is still far away.

I think either way I'd need to get a repeater or powered hub (regardless of if I use firewire or USB) since the length is greater than 15 feet.

Any thoughts?

[ToxMox]

How many feet do you need to go?

[Archerkit]

It's probably something closer to 20'..

[ToxMox]

I've never tried one but perhaps something like this is what you need:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...82E16812116123

[ToxMox]

This one seems maybe better suited:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...105-606&depa=0

[prowler2000]

Originally Posted by ToxMox

This one seems maybe better suited:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...105-606&depa=0

This cable is a great choice; I've used extenders like this for my external USB wireless antenna. You can put multiple cables together (I believe up to 5) for greater distance. I usually use one of these cables + a passive 15ft cable for over. For an external DVD unit, I’ve had a lot of different models, but the Lite-On has always worked the best for me. They actually burn close to their claimed speeds. My external USB 2.0 Lite-On CD unit will burn at 44x – incredible. You need to decide if you want to buy a dual layer DVD or a single layer. I have not tried the dual layer ... I talked to the Plextor people at CES and they thought there were too many problems with the media at the current time.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...106-963&depa=0

[Archerkit]

Thanks for the links! Actually, I don't even need it for burning. I already have a Plextor burner in my main machine, so I tend to offload everything that I need to burn. (it's rare)

I might actually lean towards firewire, as it occurred to me that I don't have USB 2.0 in this box, but I do have firewire. I could always switch that over as well, I guess it depends on which is more cost effective.

Oh - I just saw that link for the lite-on. That's not a bad price at all.. hmmm...

[Archerkit]

Actually, my bigger question is - can I use the ATI DVI-to-component adapter on my NVidia FX5200? Or is it specific to ATI? (if so, are there other DVI-to-component adapters?) Thanks!

[prowler2000]

Originally Posted by Archerkit

Oh - I just saw that link for the lite-on. That's not a bad price at all.. hmmm...

Even if you don’t need the DVD for burning the Lite-on is a good choice for reading. I had some DVD’s that came from a 3rd party and nothing would read them except for the Lite-On (It had trouble too … but I was able to get all of the data eventually).