DVD Burners?

[scottieg]

So I got this Lite-On DVDRW SOHW-1213S burner for 109 Canadian localy. Its a dual format that does DVD+R at 12X, DVD-R at 8x, DVD-RW at 4X, DVD+RW at 4x.

I have one week to return it, and I got it 2 days ago and I really don't like it, its giving me ALOT of issues already.

I am gonna be
Rripping DVD's
My dad wants me to make some copies of the oroginals so that when he goes on trips he can take the backup copy and not the original. (yes I can shrink it and drop some stuff, its for his notebook)
Burning large data files onto the cd's
Making svcd's and other stuff.

I want a burner that can do everything I want to, so if my buddy asks me for something I can do it.
BTW I know dualayer discs cost like 25 bucks, but I can still use +r and -r can't I?
What is the DIF between +r -r ect ect.


http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=12681&vpn=ND-3500A-BK&manufacture=NEC-MITSUBISHI

I am leaning towards that one, and bad thin
gs about it? Can it do all I want and more?

 

[Ikonomi]

This has probably been covered several times here in General Hardware. Some of the older threads might give you some good insight; I know they helped me.

Anyway, I just ordered a Pioneer DVR-108 since many Anandtechers seem to like Pioneer drives. I haven't quite bought into the anti-hype surrounding Lite-On's DVD burners, since up until now I've used Lite-Ons almost exclusively with absolutely no problem. They make flawless CD burners and DVD drives, so it's odd that the DVD burners should be so fraught with problems. I've been especially skeptical since Lite-On makes drives for many other manufacturers, and one of the Lite-On haters I know actually swears by a Sony DVD burner that's just a rebadged Lite-On drive.

But... if you're having problems with it, then obviously you need a different drive.

I went with the Pioneer because a lot of people around here have them, so it's proven, and if anything does go wrong, there's a large knowledge base to help. Also, it supposedly burns all quality of media with no problem, which is good if you get stuck with some crappy discs. It should be here Tuesday; we'll see how it turns out.

Search for "DVD" or something, and see if any of the other threads help you.