Which DVD burner to buy???

[henderson2001mis]

I am in the process of researching a DVD burner to buy. I built a new computer this summer, and I want to add this component now. My system is pretty modern and fast, so I want to put a nice DVD-burner in it. What are the "best of the best" that are out there right now. I want a fast burner, but I do not want to spend much more than $400.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

My system:
P4 2.26 Ghz 512k, 533Mhz FSB
512 MB PC1066 RDRAM
40 GB WD HD
120 GB WD "special edition" HD
Lite On 40x CD burner
ATI Radeon 8500
Sound Blaster Live!
Windows XP

 

[halkebul]

Make sure ya get a DVD writer which can write to DVD-Rs (as opposed to DVD+R) as these media are the most compatible DVD format. I recommend the Sony DRU500A DVD writer as it writes to both DVD-R\DVD-RW and DVD+R\DVD+RW. Be careful with what optical disks (i.e. DVD-R, DVD+RW, etc) you write to with this drive as with all optical drives. Contact the DVD-writer manufacture and ask them which optical disks are validated for DVD writing with their particular DVD writer. Here are some testimonies of DVD writers.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

I bought a ricoh DVD+R @ +RW. No problem with compatibility in anything I tried. Having one that burns both is nice since Microsoft is gonna support the +R and +RW standard. From personal experience I wouldn't buy anything made by Sony again. I'd wait till other burners come out with duel format burning before buying a sony.