DVD-R Drives?

[darkamulets]

been looking into upgrading my DVD-ROM Drive a cruddy 2x and i figured i might like the extra storage of the DVD-RW media, anyone recommend any models for a DVD-RW? i got a spending limit of about $500

 

[bigjon]

I got the Pioneer A03 (2x) and it seems quite good. The Pioneer A04 is recently released, so you should be able to get an A03 cheap (try compgeeks, I've seen it for ~$400). I haven't been watching the A04, so I don't know what the price will be.

Know your media types before buying a drive! There are a few "standards" going around such as DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, and a couple others I think. DVD-R is akin to CD-R (burn once) and is the common denominator among all DVD burners I've seen. I chose the Pioneer drive becuase it also burns DVD-RW (which is like CD-RW and is the most compatible format I've seen other than DVD-R). DVD-RAM requires a caddy which is suck IMO.

Don't take my word for it! Do some research

 

[fishingeek]

I also have the A03. The only difference on the A04 is that it has a faster read speed. Take bigjon's advice and do some research for a drive that meets your needs. I spent alot of time reading up on this and I went with the Pioneer but your needs might not be the same.

Hope this helps,
Fishingeek

 

[darkamulets]

i know some basics, like DVD-R is like a CD-R, DVD-RW is like a CD-RW and these disks are also double sided i believe, i know DVD-RAM has been around for a while and i havent seen a set top DVD player support it yet, beyond that i dont know any standards, care to point me to anymore relevant material on teh subject?

 

[bigjon]

Here's a good start on the subject:

DVD Standards

Good luck!
Jon

 

[darkamulets]

thx

 

[Eug]

<< i know some basics, like DVD-R is like a CD-R, DVD-RW is like a CD-RW and these disks are also double sided i believe, i know DVD-RAM has been around for a while and i havent seen a set top DVD player support it yet, beyond that i dont know any standards, care to point me to anymore relevant material on teh subject? >>


My set top DVD player supports DVD-RAM. Panasonic RP91.

 

[StormRider]

<< Know your media types before buying a drive! There are a few "standards" going around such as DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, and a couple others I think. DVD-R is akin to CD-R (burn once) and is the common denominator among all DVD burners I've seen. I chose the Pioneer drive becuase it also burns DVD-RW (which is like CD-RW and is the most compatible format I've seen other than DVD-R). DVD-RAM requires a caddy which is suck IMO.
>>



The only drives that I've seen that support writing to DVD-R are the DVD-R/W and DVD-RAM/R drives. The DVD+R/W drives do not write to DVD-R.

 

[rmblam]

Pioneer DVR104 (same as A04) here. I don't regret the purchase one bit. I got the drive and 25 generic DVD-R for ~$450.