HP dvd560s

The HP dvd560s ($70 street) is a basic portable DVD burner with a not so basic price. Its slim form factor and USB power source make for a highly portable drive that can conveniently be stashed away in a bag without adding too much heft. So even though DVDs and CDs have all but been replaced by Blu-rays and flash drives, those still relying on such media will nonetheless be pleased with what the dvd560s has to offer.

Design and Features
At 0.75 by 5.5 by 6 inches (HWD), the dvd560s shares roughly the same dimensions as the HP dvd550s ($69.99 direct, 3 stars) except that it's an inch longer. Unlike both the HP dvd550s and Lite-On eNAU708, the dvd560s is slot-loading, so it can be positioned horizontally or vertically depending on your available space and aesthetic preference. For those who prefer vertical orientation, HP has included a clear plastic stand that resembles a miniature napkin holder which the dvd560s fits snugly into to stand upright.

As for the drive itself, the glossy black plastic casing sports two rubber circles on the top and underside. Although these circles ostensibly contribute to?or detract from, depending on your point of view? the drive's overall aesthetic, they also serve the more utilitarian purpose of providing grips for whatever surface the dvd560s is placed on. The top-bottom symmetry is a clever flourish since slot-loading drives can theoretically be used upside down.

The dvd560s is bus-powered, so the included USB 2.0 cable eliminates the need for an extra AC adapter. Instead of coming with a standard Y-cable like most external optical drives, the dvd560s comes with two separate USB cables that can be daisy-chained into a Y-cable depending on the amount of power required. I was ultimately able to read and write DVDs with a single USB chord, so I can't quite envision a scenario where both are necessary. At any rate, the dvd560s suffers from what Freud would call "cable envy": at only 13.75 inches, the primary USB cable is too short to accommodate my propensity for distant peripheral placement, resulting in a rather cluttered desk. Since most people don't have spare USB extension cords lying about, this shortcoming can be a headache for some.

The dvd560s includes a copy of CyberLink Media Suite 8 DVD. Despite its somewhat clunky interface, the software is relatively easy to use and offers a broad spectrum of functionality ranging from data disc creation (Power2Go) to photo/video viewing and organizing (MediaShow). Again, you also get trial versions of some programs, like PowerDirector (for editing and authoring DVDs) and PowerDVD 11 (video playback).

Mac users should be aware that the HP dvd560s is only compatible with Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7), so make sure your Mac system has Boot Camp (or a comparable multi-boot utility). To avoid this conundrum altogether, Mac owners would be wiser to opt for the Editors' Choice-winning Samsung SE-506AB External Slim Blu-ray Re-Writer ($149.99 direct, 4 stars), which works with both operating systems.

Performance
The dvd560s was an overall quiet performer during testing. It was nearly silent when burning a DVD, save for the whirring of the disc's rotation and a slight vibration. During DVD playback, the sounds and vibrations were slightly more pronounced but fell short of constituting a nuisance. It also remained cool to the touch throughout testing. Using a Fluke IR Thermometer, it never exceeded 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so the exterior stayed as cool as the proverbial cucumber. HP advertises read and write speeds of 24x (CD) and 8x (DVD), and I encountered no hiccups while playing and burning DVDs with the included software, specifically Power2Go.

The HP dvd560s is a decent performer, and while it does exactly what it's supposed to, its relatively steep price tag is difficult to justify when one considers the Lite-On eNAU708. For this reason, users looking for a simple and affordable solution to using their optical discs would likely find the latter a more compelling purchase. On the other hand, those looking for something more future-proofed should probably disregard both drives altogether and opt for either of the Editors' Choice-winners, the Pioneer BDR-XD04 or the Samsung SE-506AB External Slim Blu-ray Re-Writer.

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the HP dvd550s with several other dvd burners side by side.

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