DVD writers

Author	Post
samurai dai Member 449 Posts 2/03	Posted - Sep 17 2003 : 9:26PM I've been looking to buy a DVD writer for months now but am confused as to which drive to get. My criteria is: - Ease of use. - must come with decent and straight forward burning software. - speed i.e.DVD x4 - around £200-300 = $300-400. It will be used primarily to back up my existing mainstream DVD collection (over 300) i.e. therefore of personal use. My younger Brother doesn't take of them as much care of them as I do. Also, I want to convert my existing camcorder vids to DVD. I will only be copying them once therefore I will not be needing a rewritable format. Only record just once. Also, will the backups come out exactly the same quality as the originals? Thanks in advance guys and gals. Dai Ikeda [Link]
Anteros Member 117 Posts 4/03	Posted - Sep 17 2003 : 9:53PM For that kind of money you could get the Sony DRU510A dual format dvd burner. Both the internal and external fall within your price range. Its currently the fastest dvd burner available with 4x DVD -R/+R/+RW and 2x -RW. It also has an 8 MB buffer instead of the 2mb, and comes with lots of bundled software. Its little brother, the Sony DW-U10A is the exact same except the +RW speed is lowered to 2.4x. Since you said you dont need RW at all, you might want to go with this one and save $100-150. [Link]
samurai dai Member 449 Posts 2/03	Posted - Sep 17 2003 : 10:01PM Thanks Anteros. And with regards to the quality?Is it identical to the original in every sense? Also will the disks play in most players? Cheers mate, SAMURAI DAI [Link]
AlexPanzer Deactivated User 1593 Posts 6/03	Posted - Sep 18 2003 : 1:15AM Buy from www.newegg.com , its the best, the best. I bought from them 3 times, there the best. They ship, and I receive in 4 days from teh day I order and they help me with my questions, plus they have the most cheapest prices, there the best. [Link]
charlie Member uk 450 Posts 4/00	Posted - Sep 18 2003 : 5:30AM samurai dai wrote: I've been looking to buy a DVD writer for months now but am confused as to which drive to get. My criteria is: - Ease of use. - must come with decent and straight forward burning software. - speed i.e.DVD x4 - around £200-300 = $300-400. Click to expand I just got a drive myself and it was very confusing as to which format, make, model etc to choose. I eventually went for a bare bones NEC 1300A OEM dual format drive. Just because it was the cheapest with the features that I needed. You might want to have a look at the retail packs of these two writers. They seem to be the most popular in the UK and offer good software packages. Sony DRU-510A Pioneer DVR-A06 Also, will the backups come out exactly the same quality as the originals? Click to expand A simplistic answer without going into too much detail is yes and no. It depends on the size of the original film. [Link]

timotei Member UK 271 Posts 4/02	Posted - Sep 18 2003 : 5:59AM samurai dai wrote: Is it identical to the original in every sense? Click to expand Almost certainly not. A pressed factory DVD has typically twice the capacity of a DVD-R, so you can't just do a direct 1-to-1 copy as you might for, say, a CD-ROM. You'd have to remaster the film to fit on the recordable disc, which may mean losing the menus etc, and lesser quality. Does this alter your decision to buy a DVD recorder? Basically, you can't really do a backup of your DVDs unless you store them on your hard disk. I think it would be nice if retailers/studios would sell replacement discs for a small fee, in cases where the original has got damaged or whatever. Obviously you'd have to return the damaged original as proof that you own it. But I doubt that's likely to happen... [Link]
Frigo Senior Member 1290 Posts 7/02	Posted - Sep 18 2003 : 8:18AM I also recommend the Pioneer DVD writer. I have it at work (none at home yet) [Link]
aybesea Senior Member Caroline Cage - Hungarian Hottie! 1485 Posts 5/02	Posted - Sep 18 2003 : 11:07AM I can vouch for the Sony's, I absolutely love mine. [Link]
samurai dai Member 449 Posts 2/03	Posted - Sep 18 2003 : 12:48PM Cheers for that guys. When I refer to the quality, I refer to the actual resolution/picture of the copy compared to the original. Not so much the length of movie being copied. I'm pretty sure the quality will be the same, just wanted to make sure. Cheers Also, I'm not the greatest with my desktop. Will the burning software be easy to install and use? I think I'm going to opt for an external drive, despite the higher price. I'm not really confident opening the tower. Thanks again fellas SAMURAI DAI [Link]
timotei Member UK 271 Posts 4/02	Posted - Sep 18 2003 : 3:13PM samurai dai wrote: Cheers for that guys. When I refer to the quality, I refer to the actual resolution/picture of the copy compared to the original. Not so much the length of movie being copied. I'm pretty sure the quality will be the same, just wanted to make sure. Click to expand Well, I'm not sure that you should be as sure as you are! If you are hoping that you can just pop a DVD in the drive and copy it onto a DVD-R blank, then you're going to be disappointed. I'd recommend checking out various websites on this topic if you're about to buy a DVD recorder for this purpose. [Link]
charlie Member uk 450 Posts 4/00	Posted - Sep 18 2003 : 5:38PM samurai dai, When I refer to the quality, I refer to the actual resolution/picture of the copy compared to the original. Not so much the length of movie being copied. I'm pretty sure the quality will be the same, just wanted to make sure. Cheers Click to expand Most mainstream DVD's are DVD9 (dual layer) which has twice the storage capacity of a 4.7GB (single layer) blank DVD. So to fit a backup of the original onto a single writeable disc you need to compress the data. So you will loose quality. There is the option to backup the film only and keep the compression to a minimum. Also, I'm not the greatest with my desktop. Will the burning software be easy to install and use? Click to expand If you have only used a CD writer burning DVD's is a lot more complicated. It's not a matter of popping a DVD into the drive and pressing the copy button on the desktop. All you need to know is available here . It took me many weeks of research to begin to understand the topic. I think I'm going to opt for an external drive, despite the higher price. I'm not really confident opening the tower. Click to expand Why not get someone to install it for you? [Link]
cykedout Member Ireland 245 Posts 8/00	Posted - Sep 20 2003 : 1:19AM A friend of mine showed me an article from a video trade magazine today based somewhat on the thread concerned, and I thought I'd give my opinion. With all the competing systems DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM coming from the various companies and partnerships and also various committees and groups who are all plugging their system(s) and thus trying to gain dominance of one over another (think VHS/Beta/Video2000 from the 80's), then if you burn your films onto one format or another, then your discs could be obsolete in a few years time if the version you choose is the wrong one. I know many of the new Recorders are multi-format, but it must soon come about that one format has to be chosen as the industry standard.... Personally, I think I'll wait and see what the outcome is. And also, for the prices of players and blank media to come down in price!! [Link]
timotei Member UK 271 Posts 4/02	Posted - Sep 20 2003 : 7:43AM cykedout wrote: Personally, I think I'll wait and see what the outcome is. And also, for the prices of players and blank media to come down in price!! Click to expand My Pioneer 105 drive cost me 115 GBP, and I buy DVD-R discs from an online shop in Devon in packs of 25 that work out at 1.25 GBP per disc. I'd say that's pretty cheap. As for formats, you can hedge your bets forever - I went with the DVD-R format, which can be read in all DVD-ROM and home players that I've ever tried. Same is true for the DVD+R format, so I don't think I am taking a risk of obseletion. If the PLUS format comes out as a dominant winner, then my next drive might be one of those. But my existing recorded discs will still be readable. [Link]
picman Senior Member Nothing says I love you so much as a tongue in the ass. 2884 Posts 1/03	Posted - Sep 21 2003 : 7:56AM The newest Pioneer drive (A06 I believe) was deemed by Maxximum PC to be a better drive than the Sony with all the same multi-format capabilities. It cost about $300. [Link]
pornlord Member 213 Posts 4/02	Posted - Sep 21 2003 : 8:04AM Sony DRU-510A [Link]

samurai dai Member 449 Posts 2/03	Posted - Sep 22 2003 : 2:40PM Thanks for all of the info guys. I've decided to go for the 'Sony 4x* (DWU-10A) Dual Standard DVD+ & DVD- R and RW DVD Burner - OEM'. It is on sell here in the UK at only £99.99. Pretty good if you ask me. It has had some pretty good reviews at www.ebuyer.com Does anyone here have this drive and is so, what is the best software and discs to buy? e.g. Nero etc [Link]
JimGunn Member Where The Teens Are 173 Posts 1/02	Posted - Sep 26 2003 : 4:28AM I recently purchased an internal TDK 440N 4x speed DVD burner for my new PC. It burns DVD+-R and DVD+- RW plus CD-R/RW's. I just made a test DVD from one of my movies that played nicely in my Sony DVD player. The TDK also happens to be black which fits nicely with the Dell Dimension 8300 tower color. :-) Jim Gunn http://www.JimGunn.com [Link]
pornlord Member 213 Posts 4/02	Posted - Oct 26 2003 : 6:42AM samurai dai Have you got the sony dvd writer , if so how are you getting on with it? [Link]
GaySatyr Senior Member Half dirty ol' man; half horny ol' goat! 1684 Posts 10/00	Posted - Oct 26 2003 : 2:49PM The current cream of the DVD burner crop are the following (listed in my personal order of preference as of October 2003): Plextor PX-708A 2MB buffer, 8X +R, 4X +RW, 4X -R, 2X -RW, 12X read, 40/24/40 CD-R/RW - exceptional performance at a price LG GSA-4040B - 2MB buffer, 4X +R, 2.4X +RW, 4X -R, 2X -RW, 12X read, 24/16/32 CD-R/RW, includes 3X DVD-RAM (data only format) - a notch below the Plextor in performance but still very good and it covers all the various DVD formats Sony DRU-510A - 8MB buffer, 4X +R, 4X +RW, 4X -R, 2X -RW, 12X read, 24/16/32 CD-R/RW - the larger buffer is a slight advantage (but wait for the new DRU-530A model due by year's end Lite-On LDW-411S - 2MB buffer, 4X +R, 4X +RW, 4X -R, 2X -RW, 12X read, 40/24/40 CD-R/RW - nearly the Sony's equal, better CD performance (but wait for the new LDW-811S model due by year's end Pioneer DVR-A06 (DVR-106) - 2MB buffer, 4X +R, 2.4X +RW, 4X -R, 2X -RW, 12X read, 16/10/32 CD-R/RW - good performance (but wait for the new DVR-A07 (DVR-107) model due by year's end The Plextor is the clear leader in performance and not just because of its 8X +R burn speed. Plextor have lived up to their reputation for quality product - the drive is exceptional in every respect. The remaining four drives are in nearly a dead heat in terms of performance. The Sony edges ahead because of its larger buffer and the Lite-On because of its low price and exceptional CD performance. I singled out the LD model from its rightful place between the Lite-On and the Pioneer because of its inclusion of the data-only DVD-ROM format (however, you are required to remove the discs from their sealed carriers). You won't go wrong with any of these drives. ~ GaySatyr [Link]
samurai dai Member 449 Posts 2/03	Posted - Oct 26 2003 : 5:16PM pornlord wrote: samurai dai Have you got the sony dvd writer , if so how are you getting on with it? Click to expand Not yet mate. Will hopefully be getting one from Mr. Claus on the 25th of Dec. Cheers for the recommendations Gaysatyr. Will have to check out the Plex. Samurai Dai Edited by - samurai dai on 10/26/2003 5:18:08 PM [Link]
GaySatyr Senior Member Half dirty ol' man; half horny ol' goat! 1684 Posts 10/00	Posted - Oct 26 2003 : 10:41PM samurai dai - Note that unless you happen to need the data-only DVD-RAM format, the current Sony model is #2 on my list - and it is a lot less expensive than the Plextor model. You should also get a copy of Ahead's <iNero Burning ROM v6 Ultra Edition </i software. If you already have an older version, the upgrade is well worth the price. ~ GaySatyr [Link]
Sbando Boy Euro Babe Magnet 1839 Posts 6/01	Posted - Oct 26 2003 : 11:14PM I recently bought the Pioneer DVR-A06, great burner. I already have a scsi Plextor cdr, I don't regret my choice. I also upgraded my old serial to Nero 6.0.0.19, first bug-less build after a few rushed versions. [Link]
aybesea Senior Member Caroline Cage - Hungarian Hottie! 1485 Posts 5/02	Posted - Oct 27 2003 : 10:43AM Samurai, the DWU-10A is really a DRU500A... it's a great writer. I've read that you can even flash it with DRU500A firmware to bring it up to the latest specs. [Link]
samurai dai Member 449 Posts 2/03	Posted - Oct 27 2003 : 10:52AM aybesea wrote: Samurai, the DWU-10A is really a DRU500A... it's a great writer. I've read that you can even flash it with DRU500A firmware to bring it up to the latest specs. Click to expand The DWU-10A sounds really ideal for me and meets all of my requirements. I've also heard elsewhere that its really easy to flash it up to the DRU500A spec. Cheers for the info mate. At £99.00 it seems a bargain. Samurai Dai [Link]
snowman872 RainCoatReviews.com 400 Posts 6/00	Posted - Nov 9 2003 : 2:07AM Last week I got the 4x Pioneer external (D106) and it's great! I plugged it into the firewire port and it was good to go. I had a Ricoh before this and it was baddddddd (+RW). Nothing but headaches and hassles. -- Snowman [Link]