Streamer supplies in our range are mostly optical drives and related storage accessories for desktop and laptop computers, aimed at offices, IT departments and anyone replacing or adding disc or backup hardware. The range includes DVD and Blu-ray drives from Dell, Lenovo, IBM, LG and ASUS, alongside backup brands such as Tandberg.
How to choose streamer supplies and optical drives
Product type. The category mixes product types, so check the product name before ordering. Streamer is an older term for tape backup drives, while many listings here are DVD and Blu-ray drives for reading and writing discs. Confirm that the item matches the job you need it for.
Internal or external. An internal drive fits inside a desktop or laptop bay and needs no extra cable on your desk. An external drive connects by USB, can be moved between machines and is the only option when there is no free bay. Both kinds appear in our range.
Interface. Internal desktop drives commonly use Serial ATA, and that interface is listed in our range. External drives usually use USB, with USB 2.0 and USB 3.2 Gen 1 both available. USB 2.0 is enough for everyday disc reading and writing, but check that your computer has a matching port.
Disc format. A DVD-ROM drive only reads discs. A DVD±RW drive also writes to them, and DVD Super Multi models handle the widest set of recordable DVD types, with dual-layer versions able to write higher-capacity discs. Blu-ray RW drives read and write Blu-ray discs and are the choice for archiving larger files.
Desktop or laptop fit. Desktop drives are full height for a standard bay, while laptop drives are slimmer and made for the notebook's own bay. Items in our range are marked for desktop, laptop or both, so check this before buying an internal drive.
Brands we carry in streamer supplies
- Dell: a major maker of business desktops and laptops, so its drives suit OptiPlex, Latitude and Precision machines. It is the largest brand in this category.
- Lenovo: known for ThinkPad laptops and ThinkCentre desktops, which are common in corporate fleets.
- IBM: has a long history in enterprise storage and tape technology, which fits the original meaning of streamer.
- LG: well known for optical drives, including DVD writers and Blu-ray drives.
- ASUS: widely known for internal optical drives for desktop PCs, as well as motherboards and laptops.
- Tandberg: specialises in data backup, including tape drives and removable disk systems.
- HP Inc. and HP Enterprise: HP Inc. covers business PCs and printers, while HP Enterprise focuses on servers and storage.
- MediaRange: known for recordable media and storage accessories.
- Fujitsu: a supplier of business PCs and servers, so its parts suit those systems.
Also in our range: Philips and Gembird.
Streamer supplies: frequently asked questions
What is a streamer drive?
A streamer drive is a tape drive used to back up large amounts of data onto magnetic tape. The term is older, and today it often appears next to other storage hardware. In this category you will also find optical drives, so read each product description carefully.
Should I buy an internal or external optical drive?
Choose an internal drive if your desktop or laptop has a free, compatible bay and you want a permanent fit. Choose an external USB drive if you need to share it between computers or your device has no bay. Check the interface too, as internal models often use Serial ATA.
What is the difference between DVD-ROM and DVD±RW?
A DVD-ROM drive can only read discs, while a DVD±RW drive can also write and rewrite them. If you only install software or watch discs, a read-only drive is enough. If you want to burn backups or copy data to disc, pick a writer.
Can a Blu-ray drive also read DVDs?
Yes, Blu-ray drives are normally able to read standard DVDs and CDs as well as Blu-ray discs. Writing support varies, so look for the RW label if you want to record discs. The product specification will list exactly which formats it supports.
