My next PC purchase will be a DVD burner... But which standard? And what software?

[LordJezo]

Playstation 2 supports DVD-R movies, but not +.

Not much to that, but it shows that DVD-R are a lot more compatiable with whats out there already.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: LordJezo
Playstation 2 supports DVD-R movies, but not +.

Not much to that, but it shows that DVD-R are a lot more compatiable with whats out there already.

Any word on which the Xbox can play?

 

[ginfest]

I don't want to get into the whole flamefest of which is better so I'll give you my experience.
I waited a long while to buy and finally got the Cendyne hot deal, which is a Pioneer DVR-105.
I use Ritek DVD-R and Pioneer DVD-RW.
Both play in my Toshiba 1760 set-top, and the DVD-R also work in my son's XBox and my other son's PS2, both "modded" of course.
I figured for $169.00 by the time a standard was set the newer ones would be cheaper, for now this one works for what I want it too.
I've burned with Nero and Alcohol120% no problems with this drive.
Note that ripping DVDs is a slow process with this drive, it seems to be "locked" at 2X speed for pre-fab DVDs.
Not sure if a firmware problem but if it is these guys will get around it:

The Firmware Page

Mike G

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}

DVD+R disks can not.

Have a link I can read supporting that statement?

Both sides are equally unsupported.

Your best bet is to buy the Sony DRU500 (model number?) which can write -R/RW and +R/RW formats.

- M4H

Definately the best drive - if you can find one. THey are rarer than hen's teeth. (Can't believe I said that. )

As far as software goes, MaximumPC raved about Sonic MyDVD 4.0, included with the Pioneer 4x burners. I don't think 4.0 is included with the Sony, it may come with an older version.

Barring finding a Sony, I would get the Pioneer, but none others.

 

[SexyK]

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}

DVD+R disks can not.

Have a link I can read supporting that statement?

Both sides are equally unsupported.

Your best bet is to buy the Sony DRU500 (model number?) which can write -R/RW and +R/RW formats.

- M4H

Definately the best drive - if you can find one. THey are rarer than hen's teeth. (Can't believe I said that. )

As far as software goes, MaximumPC raved about Sonic MyDVD 4.0, included with the Pioneer 4x burners. I don't think 4.0 is included with the Sony, it may come with an older version.

Barring finding a Sony, I would get the Pioneer, but none others.

There are plenty of Sony's in stock at my local B&M Bestbuy and compusa, so i'd just look there if you decide to go that route. $349 at both IIRC. sure is tempting, but i'm going to wait a couple more months I think. stick with my 16/10/40A until then.

 

[dbwillis]

Thanks for this thread Wingznut, Im debating getting a DVD-R? drive and had the same ?s

Thanks to all for the info and links...

 

[Lonyo]

Definitely go for a +/- drive, much safer that way for compatability, since it can do both media
If you go for a single drive, you might alienate some family

 

[MustISO]

I've used both Pioneer and Sony drives and in my experience the drive is a small part of the equation. The quality of the media is important as well as the software that is used to burn. You can buy no-name or less well known brands of media but if you want something that will work and last, I'd recommend either Pioneer, TDK, Verbatim or Panasonic media. For burning applications, GEAR Pro is excellent as is Prassi PrimoDVD and Record Now Max. Only coasters I've ever had were recorded with NERO (5.5.9.x, IIRC). For DVD5 discs, you can't go wrong with DVDDecrypter's image creation and burning. Never, ever had a problem with it.

 

[Shade4ever]

I own a Sony DRU-500AX, and it's worked well for me in the short time I've had it, but I've only burned CDs in it, no DVDs...haven't purchased the media yet.

 

[krackato]

There is no point in spending twice as much for a dual format drive.

Let's say you can buy a $150 single format drive, or a $300 dual format drive. If I buy the single format drive, worst thing that happens is that in 1-2 years, I won't be able to find media to burn on my drive. At that point, I'm going to have to buy a drive for the opposing format. Funny thing about computer parts, but evidenty they get faster and cheapter over time. Or so I hear.

So, in those 1-2 years when the opposing format wins, I'll probably be able to get another drive for $50-100. Let's say it's a $100. Total I'll have spent is $250, which still puts me $50 ahead of buying the dual format drive. And, my new drive will probably be 8x, 12x, or maybe even 16x. So I've spent less and I have a faster, newer technology.

Now, here's the kicker. Let's say that my format of choice is the winner (or, more likely, there is no winner and you can buy media for both formats.) Then, I've saved $150 and I can still burn DVD discs.

I think the dual format drives are highly overrated on this board.

 

[Challenger]

Originally posted by: Wingznut

Originally posted by: oldfart
I got a Cendyne (Pioneer 105) 4X DVD-R drive. I chose this one mostly because of the hot deals forum price of $150 after rebate and coupon.

Damn. Too bad I missed out on that deal.

I was going to get one with that deal but all the pm and coupon and rebate made me dizzyI'm going to have to learn how to do it a little better

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Originally posted by: LordJezo
Playstation 2 supports DVD-R movies, but not +.

Not much to that, but it shows that DVD-R are a lot more compatiable with whats out there already.

Actually thats wrong. All PS2 beyond version 4 play +r fine. In fact, some version 4 did also. I had one that would.