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DVD BURNER 1

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Wisegi

Wisegi

Technical User
Aug 26, 2003
60
CA
HI...

I'm looking at purchasing a dual format DVD +/- Burner... anybody have any suggestions.. I'm not too familar with dvd burning technology so any info would be beneficial... Also info / experiences with any specific models would be appreciated....

Thx

Rey
 
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I've heard good things about the following DVD dual-format burners:

Pioneer DVR-A06 - fastest DVD burn times, slowest CD burn times, best software bundle (Nero and Ulead's MovieFactory), $300 sugg. retail

Sony DRU-510A - fastest CD burn times, below-average DVD burn times, mediocre software bundle (MyDVD 4.5 and RecordNow DX), $310 sugg. retail

TDK indiDVD - average DVD burn times, average CD burn times, slowest CD Audio Extraction of the three, decent software for starters (Roxio DVD Builder) but not feature-rich, $330 sugg. retail

Every single one I've seen out there has its advantages and disadvantages. I would choose the Pioneer if you want the best all-around pick. However, if you're not too concerned about having all the power-user options, the TDK might be the better choice. It just depends...

Good luck!
[thumbsup2]


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein
 
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Those prices listed are quite a bit out-dated; If I were picking up a new drive, I'd go with NEC's 4x dual format drive which runs ~$130 depending where you buy it from. Then just add-on Nero or something to burn the discs.
 
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Like that Pioneer A06 retail package can be found for $150-$160.
 
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I recommend Lite-On LDW-411S DVD+/-RW
It also burns CD's at 40x and CDRW's at 24x
so you can get rid of that other cdrw burner.

Have one and im very satisfied with it. (around $120)
 
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Guys, we started selling 8 speeds last week!
LiteOn and Plextor.
LiteOn is around £120 UK (cheaper in the states)
I believe most enthusiasts prefer the Pioneer 4x drives, seem to be the favourate over here, NEC1300A is a decent drive but definately needs a non NEC approved firmware flash to work with common data disks.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.
 
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Well you have to spend some more cash on a 8x DVDR .
And the media is not cheap.
 
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dakota,
Yeah, I haven't been shopping around in the last few months, and the prices are manufacturer suggested retail prices as of early September '03. I'm not surprised they've dropped below $200, especially around the holidays. Time to get one indeed!


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein
 
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The Pioneer A06 is a good performer, I'm quite pleased with ,y three.
 
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Pioneer really are the best, IMO, but the LG 4040B is a great burner - it does -/+ and DVD-RAM at a very respectable speed. It's also very cheap.

 
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HI Folks....

Thx for all your info... Its been very valuable... I live in Toronto and looking at today's flyers... Here are some drives that are on sale right now.... What are your thoughts....

I/O Magic 8x +/- Model IDVDRW8D for 179.99 after rebates

Pioneer A-06 Dual Format 4x DVD Write, 2x DVD Rewrite, 16x CD Write 139.99 After rebates

Plextor 8x Dual Format (PX-708A) 249.99

Also I will be looking to back up my PS2.XBOX Games..... how bout software, media brands... Experiences etc?

My cpu is a P4 1.5Mhz with 768 SDRAM, 120 GB maxtor 8mb buffer .... is that ok? also I currently have a CD burner on my system... It's ok to keep that on as well right?

Thx Again...

 
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Another question...

there is DVD + , DVD - , and DVD RAM?????

What is the most common format? when would I use which media type?
 
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Quick explanation of each format and other useful information:

DVD -R/RW and +R/RW are two competing formats and you would either pretty much for the same reasons, including playback on a standalone DVD player. DVD-RAM is more for PC use such as backing up data. It has a lot more features that the other two formats, but isn't readable in that many devices (only newer DVD-ROMs and the DVD burner itself).


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein
 
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DVD-RAM is a higher quality standard suitable for authoring - the disks can be written to an estimated 100,000 times. Because it's such a fussy standard and has so many extra features, it won't work in many drives simply because manufacturers cut corners by not including support.

DVD- and + RW by contrast can "only" be written to an estimated maximum of 1,000 times.

The LG unit I mentioned earlier can be found in the UK for less than £90, and writes + and - at 4x, - and +RW at 2.4x CDR at 24x and CDRW at 16x.

 
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SPEED:

Just so you know, when you see "x" in a DVD burning speed, it really means 1.38 megabytes per second.
In CD writers/burners this x is 150Kb/s or 0,15 megabytes per second.
So 4x is 4 times 1.38MB/s, or 5.52MB/s.
4x has been the top writing speed of current DVD recording technology until now the as 8x units is coming.

Comaparing to a CD recorder just so we know
the relatioships with those x'es.
1x CD is 150KB/s so 50x would be 7.5MB/s.

So 4x DVD burning is somewhere equal to 37x CD.
1x DVD equals 9,2x CD.

The time it takes for the burning phase of
a full DVD 4,7GB with 4x .
Theoreticly this would take
5,52MB/s * 60 = MB per minute = 331,2
4,7GB = 4812,8MB
So in minutes this gives 4812,8/331,2 = 14,5 minutes.
This corresponds with the tests and reviews of DVD burners
Burn process is around 15 minutes.
In addition to this we have to add the premastering process
witch can vary depending on the type of files we are burning.
Copying DVD's and the processor power of the PC
will also influence the premastering time .


 
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Don't forget that data is not written to a CD or DVD at constant speed. So even though it's a 4x burner, most barely average any higher than 2.4x. 4x is the max burn speed, not the average. The inner part of the disc spins slower than the outer portion, which is why speed is not constant. Data is first written on the inner portion of the disc moving its way outward.


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein
 
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AS an info to Wisegi!

I've timed a test using my Lite-On LDW-411S DVD 4X and
DVD Xcopy express .
Using 4X DVD +RW media
To make a backup copy of the movie "The Lion King"

Premastering/reading 9 minutes.
Writing the DVD 12 minutes.(total of the compilation size 3,4GB)

So that you know the effectiveness.

 
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The Lite-On's are nice, but I prefer the Pioneer-A06 software bundle.

Thanks for the links cdogg!
 
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Anytime


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
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