DVD DL Questions and Model Comparison ...

[b4u]

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a DVD recorder this christmas, and I have som e questions about the matter:

[1] About Double Layer, I can see that there are DVD+R DL recorders and media. Does DL only refers to DVD+R? Will it refer to DVD+RW also, or even some DVD-R/RW standards? I'm worried about buying a DL hardware for DVD+R, and latter comes out DVD+RW DL, and can't use them ...

[2] There are many drives that DON'T support DVD-RAM. Should I be worried about it?

[3] About models, I presently have a Plextor CD-R/RW, and never had any problems with it, works like a charm. But looking also to other brands, I can see the following hardware to choose from:

Plextor PX-716A
Sony DRU-710A
GSA-4120B <-- I believe this is the top LG model. I believe it's the only that supports DVD-RAM write

I've heard some comments about LG problems and Sony, don't know if it's true or not.

So which one would you recommend? Based on what? Other brand/model?

I'm looking for a DVD burner to burn some home-made digital movies, after some editation on PC, then to make some backups of software. I play some games, and I don't like to have scratches on original media, so I always prefer to have a backup to play with around.

Thanks for any info

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Right now + is the only standard for DVD DL (or DVDR9). -R should be finished soon and possibly the RW formats.

DVD-RAM isn't necessary unless you need it, or have a DVD player/recorder (set top) that supports it.
The media is expensive as well.

I'm getting a NEC 3500A as my next burner. Others I considered are Pioneer 109 and Plextor models.

 

[bacillus]

it'll soon be nec 3520!

 

[Duvie]

I though DVD-ram was mainly a Mac thing... I wouldn't wooru aout it unless you had an exact application for it. Otherwise most everything play the + and - format great...

Right now the cost od DL is wayyy too high in my opinion...

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: bacillus
it'll soon be nec 3520!

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: bacillus
it'll soon be nec 3520!

HLG 4163!


oops double whammied...

 

[gsellis]

I make money off of my DVD burner. I would only consider two burners and neither of them made your list. The Pioneer and the NEC are the best solutions IMO.

Edit - Oh, if you have a friend with a MAC, then you might care about DVD-RAM. Otherwise, probably not.
Edit, edit - Mac... and I see Duvie covered it.

 

[b4u]

gsellis

Which Pioneer model you recomend? I heard that all main media manufacturers test their media on Pioneers, so compatibility would be great ... any info on this?

I'll check Pioneer's site latter, for a DL model ...

 

[Ranger X]

Pioneer DVR-108S.

BenQ DW-1620 isn't a bad drive either. The drive still seems to favor +R medias over -R medias, however.

 

[gsellis]

The Pioneer 108 or A08. The 108 is bare bones and the A08 is the retail box with software.

RangerX, I think a S designation on a Pioneer part is external. I do not remember a 108S available yet, but I have not paid attention to the externals (we have one in that is slimline, but I do not remember the part number and think it is only 4X anyway.) Of course, I could have also been asleep and missed a new submodel.

 

[b4u]

About the Media:

Which media should I use for the following purposes? (DVD-R, DVD+R, ...)

1# Burn files and access them, like we're all used to do with CDR

2# Burn DVD movies (home movies I'll firewire into my pc) to playback on living room DVD-Player


Another question: A drive says it' burn DVD-+R at 16x ... I buy some media at 1x-4x ... so what's up? No 16x media yet? Will I be able to burn at 10x? Will it be prone to errors? How can I check if the result is error free? Will I be safer to burn at 4x?



Thanks.

 

[LTC8K6]

I have the Toshiba 5X DL DVD burner, but I have not even tried it out yet.

 

[gsellis]

Since this was refreshed.... The "108" external is now available and reviewed (covered in the AT 1/3/05 Hardware Review summary.) The part is DVR-S806 and is reviewed here

BTW, although a Pioneer fan, I bought a NEC 3500a. I needed bitsetting for some users with older DVD set top players (+R media only with 3rd party 'hacked' flash).

 

[Hikari]

That external is a joke since you can just buy an enclosure yourself and drop the drive in. But, I realize a lot of people don't want to do this so it is good for them.

I thought the 3520a said it had DL -R support? Or was that just with an expected firmware update?