# Converting an internal DVD burner to external

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-an-internal-dvd-burner-to-external/211796>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 6, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-an-internal-dvd-burner-to-external/211796 "2003-11-06T23:22:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-an-internal-dvd-burner-to-external/211796/1 "2003-11-06T23:22:08Z")

</div>

Is it possible to convert an internal DVD burner (in this case, a Sony 510) to an external unit for use with a laptop?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-an-internal-dvd-burner-to-external/211796/2 "2003-11-07T00:11:09Z")

</div>

They sell external enclosures that you can fit a CD/DVD drive. It is usually an IDE to USB connection and I would think that USB 2.0 would be best. Check at [Newegg](http://newegg.com/) under Shop by Category and look for External Enclosures.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-an-internal-dvd-burner-to-external/211796/3 "2003-11-07T12:05:24Z")

</div>

Thanks, Toddly, I’ll check it out.