HP

HP Q2114A#ABA DVD Movie Writer dc3000 External Drive

3.0 (46 reviews)
USB 2.0

Preserve Your Memories with Easy DVD Creation The HP DVD Movie Writer dc3000 is an all-in-one external DVD writer that makes it easy to transfer, edit, and burn home videos. Capture analog video directly from your camcorder or VCR, add special effects and music with the included software suite, a...

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Overview

Preserve Your Memories with Easy DVD Creation

The HP DVD Movie Writer dc3000 is an all-in-one external DVD writer that makes it easy to transfer, edit, and burn home videos. Capture analog video directly from your camcorder or VCR, add special effects and music with the included software suite, and create music CDs or data backups. Preserve your family memories on long-lasting DVDs with this versatile device.

Specifications:

  • Type: External DVD Movie Writer with Analog Video Capture
  • Compatibility: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW Discs
  • Interface: USB
  • Software Included: ArcSoft ShowBiz 2, MuVee autoProducer, Veritas RecordNow, Simple Backup, Cyberlink PowerDVD
  • System Requirements: PC with Microsoft Windows XP or 2000 Professional SP2 and USB connectivity

Key Features

External USB 2.0 (1.1 compatible) DVD+RW drive

Features 4x write, 2.4x rewrite, and 8x read speeds for DVD; 16x write, 10x rewrite, and 40x read speeds for CD

2 MB buffer

Includes HP Video Transfer Wizard, ArcSoft ShowBiz 2, muvee autoProducer DVD Edition, Veritas RecordNow, Simple Backup, and CyberLink PowerDVD

Compatible with Windows XP and 2000 Professional SP2 or later

Specifications

Model
dc3000 External Drive
Interface
External USB 2.0 (1.1 compatible)
DVD Write Speed
4x
DVD Rewrite Speed
2.4x
DVD Read Speed
8x
CD Write Speed
16x
CD Rewrite Speed
10x
CD Read Speed
40x
Buffer Size
2 MB
Operating System Compatibility
Windows XP, Windows 2000 Professional SP2 or later
Included Software
HP Video Transfer Wizard, ArcSoft ShowBiz 2, muvee autoProducer DVD Edition, Veritas RecordNow, Simple Backup, CyberLink PowerDVD

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Offers both DVD+RW and CD-RW functionality, providing versatile media burning and playback options.
  • Features a convenient external USB 2.0 interface, ensuring broad compatibility with many computers.
  • Provides decent speeds for its era, with 4x write for DVD, 16x write for CD, and 40x read for CD.
  • Includes a 2 MB buffer, which helps ensure more reliable burning processes by preventing buffer underruns.
  • Comes with a software suite, including HP Video Transfer Wizard and ArcSoft ShowBiz 2, for creative tasks.

👎 Cons

  • Relies on the older USB 2.0 standard, which is slower than modern USB 3.0 or higher connections.
  • The DVD write speed of 4x is considerably slower compared to contemporary optical drives.
  • Compatibility is limited to Windows XP and 2000 Professional SP2 or later, excluding newer operating systems.
  • As an external drive, it adds another peripheral to manage, potentially requiring desk space and an additional power source.
  • The included software titles might be outdated and may not be fully compatible with current operating systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

The HP dc3000 is specified as compatible with Windows XP and 2000 Professional SP2 or later, and compatibility with Windows 10 is not guaranteed.
As an external USB 2.0 drive, it often requires an external power source, though the specific power requirements are not detailed in the features.
No, this is a DVD+RW drive and is designed for burning and reading DVD and CD formats, not Blu-ray discs.
The included software suite, such as HP Video Transfer Wizard and ArcSoft ShowBiz 2, may be older versions and might not be fully supported or optimized for current operating systems.
The 2 MB buffer helps to ensure a smoother and more reliable burning process by temporarily storing data, reducing the risk of buffer underrun errors during disc creation.
This drive connects via an external USB 2.0 port, but it is also compatible with USB 1.1 ports, albeit at slower speeds.