New to burning DVDs and Dual Layer DVDs

[Shinare]

Ok, I just purchased the NEC 2510A OEM (no software) from newegg. Its the dual layer DVD burner with the black faceplate. Anyway, this will be my first DVD burner so, as a n00b, I have some questions. What format should I burn in +R or -R and which will play best in my stand-alone DVD player, whats a good brand name for blanks? Also, I have an old copy of Nero version 5. Will this version be able to burn DVD's and dual layer DVD's (once I can actually find some to buy)? Wheres a good place to buy DVD blanks, online or B&M? Are there any free (or close to it) DVD burning softwares for windows that will work is Nero5 does not work?

Sorry for all the ?'s and thanks for any answers.

 

[Shyatic]

The -Rs are better for reading in most DVD players, and the +Rs are best for holding data. That's how I remember it anyways... that might be backwards

As per the media... get it online when you can, usually Hot Deals has some stuff you can find cheap. Nero 5 won't burn DVDs as I recall, and besides, you'll want a good DVD burning program. Nero6 is on sale in Hot Deals really cheap so you can grab that, or something else. For copying DVDs there are better utilities on the web for free like DVD Shink (i think that's the free one, not sure hehe). For duplication, I personally use Alcohol 120% (alcoholsoft.com).

That's about all the info you need for now I think. A lot of this will be trial and error so prepare to get a few coasters in order to figure out what works best. Good luck!

 

[ponyo]

Forget about dual layer for now since you can't really buy the media and if you could it's going to be priced at a premium.

For media, you can buy 50 pack -R or +R Ritek for around $40 or so at Newegg.

For programs, check out DVDShrink. It's free and it's great!. It shrinks dual layer movie to fit on one single layer disc. I use DVD Decrypter to rip the movies to ISO but DVDShrink can do that too. I use Nero 6 to burn but I believe DVD Decrypter can burn ISO also.

If you want perfect copy of dual layer DVD without shrinking you can use DVD Fab. It splits the movie into 2 discs so you can get perfect 1:1 copy of any movie.

All these programs are free except for Nero 6 which you have to pay for.

You can check out this site for more options on encoding to other formats like Divx, SVCD, etc. here

Have fun with your new burner!

 

[Shinare]

Thanks! Looking over Doom9, it looks like its gonna be a real trial to get my home movies onto DVD. Lets hope I can figure it out.

 

[RobCur]

dual layer may make sense a few years down the road, right now its still in experimental stage.

 

[blodhi74]

Originally posted by: Shinare
Ok, I just purchased the NEC 2510A OEM (no software) from newegg. Its the dual layer DVD burner with the black faceplate. Anyway, this will be my first DVD burner so, as a n00b, I have some questions. What format should I burn in +R or -R and which will play best in my stand-alone DVD player, whats a good brand name for blanks? Also, I have an old copy of Nero version 5. Will this version be able to burn DVD's and dual layer DVD's (once I can actually find some to buy)? Wheres a good place to buy DVD blanks, online or B&M? Are there any free (or close to it) DVD burning softwares for windows that will work is Nero5 does not work?

Sorry for all the ?'s and thanks for any answers.

if u have a very old DVD player go with -R .... on my lite-on burner +R is faster and it plays in my ancient DVD player ... as far as the brands I have tired TDK, Memorex and Imation without getting a coaster. have backed up (ahem ) 70+ DVDs .... Use
this and it will work with nero to back up DVDs