What DVD recordable drive to buy?

[Earwax]

About 7 months ago, I posted an inquiry about whether or not it would be a good idea to buy a dvd-r drive. The general concensus was to wait until at least the end of the year (now) or to wait until it became clear which standard was going to become accepted.

I noticed that sony, has recently released the DRU500A, a drive which writes to all the DVD-R/DVD+R formats. Is this drive worth it? I'm looking for a drive to use to make Video DVDs from a digital camcorder I have. I would also use it for data backup as well. Also, which format is better? I've heard debates about one being cheaper, but less used. Also, would I be better off waiting a few weeks/months for more 4x drives to come out? I want to get a drive whose media is going to be accepted by DVD players for a long time.

 

[Atlantean]

Well do you need one right now? cause if not it is not worth it to get one now. Wait a few months or even a year till better drives are out, and maybe just maybe they will have decided on a standard by then... if not then get whichever drive has both dvd-r and dvd+r write capabilities.

 

[Wolfsraider]

that the new sony

Sony DVD Recorder Drive Model DRU500A Retail The amazing new DRU-500A burns DVD-R/-RW, DVD+RW/+R, and even CD-R/CD-RW discs
Specifications:
Speed: 2.4X max. DVD+R Write; 2.4X max. DVD+RW Write; 4X max. DVD-R Write; 2X max. DVD-RW Write; 8X max. DVD-ROM Read
Random Access Time: DVD: 200ms CD: 160ms
Buffer Memory: 8MB
Buffer Underrun Protection Technology
Interface: ATAPI EIDE
OS Support: Windows® 98SE/2000, Windows ME and Windows XP
Retail Box, See pics for details: Model#: DRU500A Special Free FedEx Saver Shipping
Detail Specs - Product Link (limit 1 per customer) -See It! (image count 5 ) -Price Alert (N82E16827131205) Return
Save $7 when you buy this item with font size="3" face="Arial Black" color="#009933">►/font>font size="3" face="Arial Black" color="#FF0000">FREE! /font>br>Buy any processors and Get this Item Freebr>Newegg Merry Christmas Glass Paper weight


for $365.00 when in stock at www.newegg.com

 

[Earwax]

I don't really "need" one now...
But I am getting a digital camcorder which I expect to be using a lot, and I really don't feel like burning all the data onto cdrs. I'll probably end up waiting until summer anyway, but it just seems that this standard war is going on forever. I've already put off getting one for almost a year now. But I suppose I can keep waiting until they decide on what to use.... I'm getting antsy though.

 

[LouPoir]

Sony DVD Recorder Drive Model DRU500A - does it all.

 

[John]

The Pioneer A05 is also a nice drive with good compatibility across the board, and it's 100.00 cheaper as well.

 

[Eug]

In case you haven't already, check my sig.

 

[nortexoid]

the Pioneer A05 is faster too....

 

[Pariah]

The recently released TDK Indi DVD 4x (+R) looks very nice and would probably be my pick if I was buying today.

 

[LethalWolfe]

DVD-R is supported by more stand alone DVD players.


Lethal

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by: LethalWolfe
DVD-R is supported by more stand alone DVD players.


Lethal

That's an oldschool myth. DVD-R was more compatible back when only DVD+RW was available. DVD+R is at least as compatible as -R if not more so. PC World had an article about the compatability of the DVD-R/-RW and DVD+R/+RW formats that posted results of testing done by Pioneer and a third party. DVD+RW and DVD-RW had about the same compatability (around 75%) while DVD+R (around 90%) had better compatability than -R (around 87% I believe it was) according to both sources. Considering Pioneer only sells DVD-R/-RW drives it can't be claimed that the tests were fixed to make their own products look better when in fact they came out worse.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: Pariah

Originally posted by: LethalWolfe
DVD-R is supported by more stand alone DVD players.


Lethal

That's an oldschool myth. DVD+R is at least as compatible as -R if not more so. PC World had an article about the compatability of the DVD-R/-RW and DVD+R/+RW formats that posted results of testing done by Pioneer and a third party. DVD+RW and DVD-RW had about the same compatability (around 75%) while DVD+R (around 90%) had better compatability than -R (around 87% I believe it was) according to both sources. Considering Pioneer only sells DVD-R/-RW drives it can't be claimed that the tests were fixed to make their own products look better when in fact they came out worse.

Was this based on current players or past and current players? Going by current players then yes, they basically have the same compatability. But the older the player the more likely it will not support "+" media, only "-" media. And since many people have players that are more than a couple years old thats why I still suggest DVD-R for the best compatability.


Lethal

 

[Earwax]

Also, I assume that copying dvd's would simply be a matter of using smartRipper to get VOB files and then burning software to just burn them to disk, right?
The dvd player I have is also about 2 years old, and very very anal. It's a tosiba, it won't read CDR or CDRW. I'm not really concerned about it reading dvd disks right now anyway, I primarily need the drive to free up hard drive space.

 

[Eug]

Also, I assume that copying dvd's would simply be a matter of using smartRipper to get VOB files and then burning software to just burn them to disk, right?

Well, no, since most Hollywood DVDs are over 4.4 GB. Won't fit on a single DVD-R.

 

[Lonyo]

I thought they "designed" DVD so it could not be copied at all (not exact copy anyway). You can rip the movie, but not all the menu and stuff to create a copy, or at least that's what I read somewhere.