Dual Layer DVD recorder help - need advice

[metroplex]

Hi everyone

I need advice on what dual layer DVD recording device to purchase, along with recommended dual layer DVD media (for max longevity and reliability) as well as the recommended software for burning dual layer DVDs.

My goal is to consolidate my CD-R backups into as few DVD discs as possible. I also have a few DVD discs that contain service manuals for my vehicles that I would like backed up in case the original DVDs fail.

Also I would like to make home movies and photo discs.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[snomunki]

Would you like it to shine you shoes as well? JK... NEC 3500 series is good...3540 is out now... If you want SATA burner, I have 2 Plextor 716SA that seem to work well on Nforce4 board...although I have heard some have problems with them. Safe bet is NEC 3540. I think it about $70.

 

[MustISO]

NEC or Pioneer.

 

[deathwalker]

I have the NEC 3500 and I can find absolutley nothing bad to say about it...solid product.

 

[metroplex]

I don't have SATA, I just have ATA133.
NEC or Pioneer? Ok!

What about a good burning program that supports DL DVD?

Is this a good time to buy a DVD DL burner?

 

[Thug Esquire]

Nero 6 supports dual-layer, as does Alcohol 120%. Sure, it's a fine time to buy a dual-layer DVD burner--just don't expect to get cheap dual-layer media.

 

[metroplex]

Some of my DVD discs contain more than 5GB of data. I think the easiest thing for me would be to keep a small supply of DL DVDs for that purpose and a bunch of cheaper DVD single layer discs. I have no use for RW DVDs since I don't have a DVR yet.

I'll check out Alcohol 120% and Nero 6.

Hear anything bad about Samsung DVD+R / DL media?

 

[corkyg]

I have yet to see any dual layer media on any local store shelves (Office Depot, Office Max, Best Buy, CompUSA.) After reading this article I would look for Verbatim disks sometime next month. They have always been excellent performers for me in the CDR role.

Verbatim

My current DVD use is for photo discs. I remembver when CDR dics cost as much as the DVD DLs.

 

[metroplex]

I thought i saw dual layer DVDs at Walmart, but for about $10 per disc.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: metroplex
I thought i saw dual layer DVDs at Walmart, but for about $10 per disc.

You might find DL DVDs for $5 per disc online, but not much cheaper. Dual layer's lifespan is limited, with the BluRay/HD-DVD wars looming on the horizon. So you might as well live with 4.7GB discs unless you really really want to pay much more for DL discs.

I usually see Taiyo Yuden recommended if you want the best discs. I've read that DVD+R/RW is better for data, as it has more safety features built-in.

 

[metroplex]

I was thinking of using DVD+R DL just for archiving my important DVDs because the cost of a DVD DL disc offsets the cost of buying another copy of my software.

Do you mean the lifespan of the disc itself is limited or just the technology is limited with the advent of BlueRay coming in soon?
Hmmm... I may have to upgrade again when that tech matures!

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: metroplex
I was thinking of using DVD+R DL just for archiving my important DVDs because the cost of a DVD DL disc offsets the cost of buying another copy of my software.

Do you mean the lifespan of the disc itself is limited or just the technology is limited with the advent of BlueRay coming in soon?
Hmmm... I may have to upgrade again when that tech matures!

The technology is limited - BluRay or HD-DVD will have much higher capacities than DL DVD. I guess that it's tough to make dual layer blanks right now, and with those upcoming technologies looking to make dual layer DVD obsolete, there's little incentive for manufacturers to invest huge amounts of R&D money into finding cheaper methods of producing DL blanks.

If you've got video DVDs that need to be backed up, check out DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink. DVD Decrypter can rip the data to the hard drive, and DVD Shrink can recompress it with minimal quality loss.

 

[metroplex]

I have video DVDs that need to be backed up (My Black Hawk Down DVD is on its last legs from being watched so often) and a few data DVDs that cannot be compressed/broken up to run properly.

I usually wait several years before going with a new optical storage standard. In fact I jumped onto CD-Rs in 1997 when DVD-Rs apparently first came out. Heh.

 

[gnumantsc]

Tell me about it. I have Memorex CD-rws that I bought that are 700mb 16-24x and paid $3/each.

The things scratched up so easily and I barely use them. My older Verbatim ones have 0 scratches on them.

 

[Miramonti]

definitely wait for blu-ray/hd-dvd's before consolidating. Dual layer dvd's at over 10x+ the price and only double the capacity is a waste of money and time imo.

 

[wchou]

I heard that blue-ray dvd will be as cheap as dvd that we have today so it will replace dvd r5. dvd DL is just another betamax(nonstandard crap), what a piece of s*** concept. two dumbs down
It will be 25gb for SL and 50gb for DL(bad concept again), 5 times the capacity of dvd's which is closer to cd as to dvd ratio so that would make economical sense.