LG GSA-E50N DVD Writer
 

Are there any problems with this model in Linux? Do any of you have this working with a recent kernel?

I am thinking of buying an external DVD writer and this one is reasonably priced, supports the double layer technology, and is horizontal (which I prefer). I also want to avoid Sony products since I had a Sony DVD drive that no longer writes but reads. I suspect that it quit after using it for copying some copy-protected DVDs.

http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=2127
Seems to work on the Asus EEE PC which runs Xandros or something.

I have the GSA-510L and it works fine. DVD writing, CD read/write. I haven't tried reading dvd movies yet, but I'm sure it'll work.

I bought a GSA-E10L and it works fine on the faster PC with the USB 2.0 hub. It doesn't work as well on the slower PC (1999 laptop) with 1.x USB. I can copy files on the latter, but I can't copy a CD as it errors out. The same CD can be copied on the faster PC.

I even tried (on the faster PC) a dual layer +R DVD and copied a commercial title I had after ripping it with DVD-RIP for Windows under Crossover Office to an ISO image,then K3B to burn the ISO to the dual layer DVD. It plays in my regular home DVD player so I'm happy with it. Got it on ebay shipped to my door for less than the cost of it before shipping at NewEgg.com.

I haven't tried the lightscribe thing, has anyone? There are Linux drivers or programs for that, I just haven't tried them yet. I do have some lightscribe CD "extras" that came with the unit as a bonus with the purchase and a couple were also in the box.