USB or Firewire enclosure for slim DVD/CDRW drive

**migrane** · 07-27-2004, 12:40 AM

I have a slim DVD/CDRW drive and am looking for an enclosure for it. It should be USB2.0 or firewire and not require any external power. I have tried

& CO but have not found anything. If anyone can point me to something I would appreciate it !

Migrane.

**GruvThang** · 07-27-2004, 12:51 AM

Did you search here? I remember someone posted a link to a site that had one in one of the threads.

**jonoc** · 07-27-2004, 01:45 AM

pricewatch.com

edit: nevermind that. I couldn't find anything. I was searching for .. slimline cd enclosure .. and I came across this http://www.bixnet.com/lapexcddriv.html

Towards the bottom of the page there is a USB 2.0 enclosure for $50 and a USB 2.0/1394 enclosure for $80. I'm sure you can find better deals than that, just keep lookin

**gork** · 07-27-2004, 02:11 AM

It does exist.

The problem with the external power thing is that usb and/or firewire do not supply nearly enough power to run an optical drive. The enclosure I linked to has an internal battery pack that charges over USB/Firewire to make up for when it is running. It might not be great for continuous operation (ie if you want to have CD's playing every time you have your car running) but would probably work out OK if you only use your drive intermittently. It's probably also not too cheap!

The other nice thing about this manufacturer is that they sell a direct slimline IDE <-> firewire/USB bridge board.. I also never found out where to buy this product

I'd be interested to know if anyone figures out where to buy the enclosure and/or the bridge board by itself!

**pip** · 07-27-2004, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by jonoc

pricewatch.com

edit: nevermind that. I couldn't find anything. I was searching for .. slimline cd enclosure .. and I came across this http://www.bixnet.com/lapexcddriv.html

Towards the bottom of the page there is a USB 2.0 enclosure for $50 and a USB 2.0/1394 enclosure for $80. I'm sure you can find better deals than that, just keep lookin

Found that, ordered one from there several months ago and heard NADA from them.

(EDIT: I'll give them another try & see what happens)

**savante** · 07-27-2004, 02:32 PM

What about this one? Cant get a good enough look at it though.

Prices from this place are rediculous. For the cost of the enclosure and the drive you could probably get an external all in one slimline drive.

**migrane** · 07-27-2004, 02:36 PM

Thanks for the replies ! just like Pip, I have seen a few shady online stores sell these but I dont want to run the risk of gettin jacked.

Therefore I presonally will run multiple cat5 runs from the front of the car to the back of the car and run usb and power through cat5.

The problem would now be to find out how to neatly add to my case a +5 lead from the opus and run common ground for this additional device as well as finding a powered usb2.0 enclosure that can use +5v.

Does this make sense ?

Migrane

**savante** · 07-27-2004, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by migrane

The problem would now be to find out how to neatly add to my case a +5 lead from the opus and run common ground for this additional device as well as finding a powered usb2.0 enclosure that can use +5v.

Not sure I understand what you are asking but from what I have read, people can use a molex Y-Adapter and use a red and black lead from that to power external +5V devices.
You could integrate a molex plug into your case...
Unless you were talking about getting the +5 lead 'injected' into your cat-5 cable...

**sabre** · 07-27-2004, 02:46 PM

How about this?

I was looking for one and came across it in an old fs/ft post. Then I noticed this thread.

**djtrickee** · 07-27-2004, 04:13 PM

I bought this one.

Buslink 8X Slim-Line DVD / 24X CD-ROM Drive

It is powered over the USB cable. It doesnt even come with an AC adaptor. I have been using it for couple of months now and it works great!! It can be powered either by the USB cable or the USB cable and a little adaptor that plugs inline with your keyboard, but i dont use that one since it doesnt need it.

The best part you ask? An external DVD drive usb powered for only $42.00

I dont know if I am allowed to post where I got it so let me know.