…that I can use with DVD Cloner IV to control the burning. (Is this
software requirement not feasible?)
My computer drives work okay, but they’re slow. I’d like to get a
much faster unit that does the job much faster.
I apologize for the idiotic sentence, above, but you get the idea. 
Are we talking about a desktop PC or a laptop? If it’s a desktop, you’d be better off upgrading the internal drive; they’re pretty cheap nowadays–certainly much cheaper than a standalone burner capable of interfacing with a PC (assuming such a thing even exists). Installation is fairly easy, if you’re relatively comfortable with opening your computer’s case. I could certainly walk you through it, having done it myself at least a bazillion times.
What do you mean by a “stand-alone burner”? Do you mean a DVD video recorder that records TV programs directly onto DVD, without needing a computer? Or did you mean an external drive?
External Drive.
Also, for what it’s worth, I have Wndows XP
I have a desktop. If you’ll send the directions, my son can follow them. I know, I know. I’m stupid.
But since I have two computers in different rooms, am I better off with an external drive?
One of the computers is an HP laptop, and that’s where the DVD Cloner IV resides.
The photo-illustrated instructions here, along with the instructions packaged with the new drive ought to be enough for him to get it done. Don’t beat yourself up over not knowing how to do this stuff; it’s not for everyone. Some of us just make it look easy. 
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.]
The photo-illustrated instructions here, along with the instructions packaged with the new drive ought to be enough for him to get it done. Don’t beat yourself up over not knowing how to do thi
Thanks, Q.E.D. I bokmarked the site so that my son can check it out.
Q.E.D., I think, suggested an internal burner under the assumption that it was for a desktop computer. If the DVD software (and ripped files) reside on the laptop, then you will need to get the files from the laptop to the desktop in order to burn them with an internal DVD drive installed in the desktop machine, which adds at least one other step.
Adding a DVD burner to the laptop is possible, but not a good idea in my opinion. Laptop DVD burners are more expensive, and since they are so much smaller and tend to be knocked around a lot, not nearly as robust as desktop drives.
I would suggest the original option of an external drive which can be used on either machine, or installing the ripping software on the desktop machine. However, I suspect you have a reason for using the ripping software on the laptop and this may not be the best option. How fast is the desktop machine?
IME, it is better to buy an internal DVD drive and an external enclosure, that way you know the quality of the components. Newegg.com has 16X burners for $30, and decent 5.25" external enclosures for $20 and up. Your son will have no problem installing the burner in the external enclosure. Nearly any enclosure made nowadays supports USB 2.0, but you should verify this before buying as data transfer will not be fast enough for DVD burning via USB 1.1.
Standalone DVD burners are about $60 and up. If you go that route I would suggest going with a name brand. Also, if you are intent on burning as fast as possible, make sure you are using high quality media that supports 16X burn speeds.
There is a lot more good information about this stuff at www.videohelp.com
Since we’re really looking for informed opinions, let’s try IMHO.
samclem