Xbox DVD units

[Evil E]

The Xbox has three different types of DVD units they use--Phillips, Thomson, and Samsung. I have heard of people complaining that their Xbox does this and that wrong, and that usually it is a problem with the Thomson units--like games freezing up, not loading, etc. etc.. My question is what is the easiest way to find out which kind of DVD unit my Xbox has? Is there a clear-cut way of finding out which I have? My Xbox plays just fine (knock on wood), but I am just curious more than anything. Anyone know?

Thanks,
E.--

[PapaStu]

Yes, its all about the disc tray, they look completely different.... Ill see if i can find the picture.

[NEOFREAK9189]

I have the Samsung DVD units I do no have problem

[Kejoriv]

Scroll down and you will see some pics. That will help ya.

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?s=58b1d095087a066bcaf2f9105eb20fa0&showtopic=17216

[Half Japanese]

The Thompson is by far the most common (I've heard figures of 9 out of every 10 Xbox's made, and also around 7 out of every 10). Personally, I think when you have that kind of overwhelming difference in the numbers of each type, the differences get overexaggerated. If there are that many out there, it is natural for them to have more problems out of them than it is with a less common drive. I have a Thompson and have only experienced a few disc inaccuracies (mostly with Genma Onimusha), but I don't think it's really worth the hassle to track down a Samsung.

[Evil E]

Scroll down and you will see some pics. That will help ya.

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?s=58b1d095087a066bcaf2f9105eb20fa0&showtopic=17216

Well, according to those pics, I have the Thomson. It is the most common, so I figured I had that one anyway. Well, so far, I have had no trouble with it, and I have had my Xbox for almost two years.

[Evil E]

Oh, and thanks for the pics! That answered my question quck and easy! :D

[omnedon]

In my repair business, 19 out of 20 DVD drive failures on the Xbox are dying or dead Thomsons.

That doesn't really tell you much, other than confirming how ubiquitous they are. The new drives I got my hands on to put in Xboxes are Thomsons as well, but have a slightly different internal laser, and the inner part of the disc tray has a gloss to it instead of the normal matte. They also have a slightly louder operating noise than the original Thomsons. Thomsons can read DVDR's better than the Samsungs in many cases X_x . They can rarely read CDRs.

The Philips drives are quiet, but the internal metal spindle cap is prone to collecting sticky goo, from peeled off rental stickers. Get enough of it in there, and the disc stays in, stuck to the roof of the drive like pizza dough on a ceiling. LOL I've seen that a couple of times now. Leaving stickers on your discs is far worse for the system though. They seem to read DVDR fine, but no CDR. These load games faster than the Thomson.

The Samsungs are dead quiet, and load games noticeably faster than the Thomsons do. I've never seen a dead Samsung (but out of 100 Xboxes serviced, I've seen about 4 total) Samsungs read CDr's great, but can have issue with some DVDr's.

I like the Samsung best, and put one in my Xbox. On the rare occasion I have a spare Samsung, they end up going into friends Xbox's. I have one for NexWave right now, and the next one I get, is going to Mr. Smashy, whenever I get one.

In my opinion, the Thomson drives have a maximum use life of three years. Some drives maybe more, most drives maybe less. I "think' both the Philips and the Samsung will have a far longer usable life. Time will tell.

[PapaStu]

Want to drop a Samsung drive in My Xbox next time you get a few extra ones???? Pretty Please Omnedon??? My Thompson is already 2 years old, I dont need it coughing out and dying, by the time that Halo 2 hits, and it turns 3.

[DotCom]

We have neighbors with a really weird disc tray, but it works amazingly. Funny thing is, they don't know what a controller is...