DVD writers

[yoMAMA]

anyone has any suggestions on which brand, model, is good?

I'm kinda interested in getting one.....and also kinda confused about all the different formats, like DVD+, -, RW, R....etc.

Are they all compatible with each other?

[ism]

R vs RW: R means write once only, RW means it is capable of using re-writable discs.

+ vs -:
DVD-R was the first recordable DVD format, compatibility rate is about 93%.
DVD-RW is compatible with about 80%.
DVD+R is compatible with 89%.
DVD+RW is compatible with 79%.
both support 4.37gb (DVD-5) and dual-sided 8.75 (DVD-10) discs.

DVD+R DL or DVD+R9 is dual-layer, and can write 7.95gb (DVD-9) and 15.9gb (DVD-18).

You will need to buy the correct discs (+R, +RW, -R, -RW, -DL, +DL), but there are writers that support all of these.

Plextor PX-708UF supports all but DL.
Pioneer DVR-A06 A07/106 support all but DL.
Pioneer DVR-A08/106 adds DL support.

Those are my top picks that cover all the bases.

[yoMAMA]

cool...thanks dude.

you know everything :biggrin:

[hooligan]

yay for ism, i might buy one as well.

[yoMAMA]

another question:

what about the other models, such as Sony, HP and lite on?

that dual layer disc option sounds really awesome.

[sOKaLiBoY]

This is one of the highest rated all-in-one burners right now. Newegg has it for $66.50


NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Sliver w/ Software Model ND-3520A, OEM

Model# ND-3520A SILVER
Item # N82E16827152037

Specifications:
Write Speed: 16X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD-R, 6X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: High speed writing performance.
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-037&depa=0

[mrcfo]

another question:

what about the other models, such as Sony, HP and lite on?

that dual layer disc option sounds really awesome.

Sony -> Almost always reliable and well built. So you can bet any money that it's performance is pretty good. But if you avg it out with the price, it's performance is OK/nothing spesh.

HP -> Haven't seen / used a HP DVD burner as yet.

Lite On -> OK, considering the price, but not as great as they were once were in optitronics (not as good as their CD burners).

With the prices now down to the sub 100 mark, it's not that hard to pick out a good one....they are all pretty much decent these days as DVD single layer technology has matured.

I'd recommend the NEC though. Dual Layer discs btw is still relatively expensive.

[Arex]

I've been using an NEC ND-3500A for the past few months using 8x Ridata coded DVD-Rs with absolutely no coasters yet.

RX

[bluemonq]

to be honest, as much as i like computer stuff, dual-layer discs aren't really worth the money; it's simply cheaper to burn two single-layer discs, since they don't take up much more space. if you're interested in high-capacity archival, i think you would be better of with a combination of tape and external hard drives; both of those store more data in a smaller area. i know i know, "almost everyone has a dvd drive these days." whatever...

[ism]

You are going to be betting -- buy a DL burner now so you have the ability to burn DLs when the price of DL discs go down, or buy a non-DL now for less then have to buy a DL one in the future when the price of DL discs are where you want. Considering the difference between DL and non-DL is around $30 I think you might as well get the DL but that depends on how much the difference is worth to you.

Of course, the proposed changes to the DVD standard might make you want to wait even more, but in all the years I've seen computer tech, as long as you're not buying the edge, you're better off.