DVD Burner

[Counselor]

I have a chance to get a DVD Burner but know little about them or if they even work. I'd appreciate your advice.

[TheMelodyMaker]

I'm not quite sure how to answer that... ^_^; What specifically would you like to know about them? (Just to warn you, I've never actually used one myself so for all I know it works about the same as a CD burner. *shrugs* )

[shooraijin]

If you pick one, get one that can burn as many DVD media types as possible for compatibility -- but when you actually go to master your disc, for the best chance of having your DVD play in a consumer DVD player, DVD-R is far and away the most compatible.

What computer is this for, PC or Macintosh?

[LorentzForce]

These days it's hard to get a burner that doesn't have both + and -. If it does both DVD+R and DVD-R, then chances are it does everything. Just make sure you try to get the dual-layer burner...

[agasfas]

*Puts his bestbuy hat on....*

Okay here's the deal. THere are both internal and external drives. If know little about computers or installing components, then get a external one. Though they're more expensive. THough if you can install hardware yourself or can find a friend to do it, get internal. It's much cheaper. Even if you don't know how to install, the instructions are pretty easy.

Now about the specs:
FIrst off like shooraijin stated, it's best to get one that will burn DVD-R's and DVD+R's which are only be written on once. And DVD+/- RW are rewritable. They will allow you to add or subtract things onto a dvd disk much like a A floppy. Also there are two types of burners: single layers and double layers. Single layers hold 4.7 GB and the double layers hold 8.5 GBs. To burn a double layer disk you must have a double layer burner.

Next the differences between DVD+/-R:
DVD-R's were the first DVD recording format released that was compatible with standalone DVD Players (for dvd movies). About 90% or more of the dvd players out there will be able to read Dvd-R.
Also, DVD-R's from what I've been told are used for more multimedia purposes. DVD+R's are more for data storage. Though now, most stand alone (fairly current) and computer dvd-players will except both formats when dvd -- both dvd movie or data usage.

Though if you have a old stand alone dvd player, then DVD-R's are a safe bet. Most old dvd players were made to play DVD-R's. If your dvd player is fairly new then most likely it'll play both the +/- R's. Also some, even if they can play both the +/- R's will play one format better than the other. It really varies.


But, if you are just using dvd-s to back up data files for computer use, then it really doesn't matter between +/- R's.


NOw about the brands:
If you goto best buy stay away from Dynex. It's a cheap bestbuy brand that isn't really good. It's very cheaply made and has a tendency to mess up or burn out. Also, I'm not a big fan of Lite burners. Oh, and HP burners tend to be very selective with blank disks and the programs you are able to use with it.

The brands that tend to be the best are: Sony's, Toshiba, and Memorex's. Very reliable.
Two brands I hear are really good but don't know much about in experience are Pioneer's and Plextor burners. I've heard good reviews from many people.

Also price of burners:
I've seen some for about $100-$120 for internal (some cheaper) and usually the external ones tend to be about $150.
Double layers, sense fairly new tend to be a bit more expensive. About $120-$250 if I recall right. I've seen a cyber-home brand for $99.. but they are a really cheap brand and the product is just horrific.
>>Plextors tend to be more expensive. <<

Disc price:
Single layers are fairly cheap now, sometimes cheaper then regular cd-r at times. I see a different brand of DVD-disks on sale for about $20 for a 25pk. Not bad.
Double layers are more expensive. I've only seen one brand at bestbuy and we sell them in 3pks for $30. THey will eventually come down in price.

Also be cosiderate about the write speeds:
To fill a single layer up (4.7gb) it takes about:
2X approx 30mins
4x approx 15mins
8X approx 8-10mins

To fill a double layer up (8.5gb) it takes about:
1X approx 105mins
2.4X approx 44mins
4X approx 27 mins.



If you want to get the newest, cutting edge technology get a double layer. Keep in mind, double layers can also burn single layers as well, usually about the same the same speed it takes to burn a 4-16X.

For example: Some double layers will read:
Single layer write speed: 8X
Double layer write speed: 2.4X

Look at both the speeds when considering a burner. But if you just want something cheap that you can fit a few gbs of information, then Single layers are okay.

ALso, a bit random but the brands of dvd disks I tend to like the most and have the best luck with are both Fujifilm and Memorex. Also, I usually get DVD-R's, it's a habit and it's a safe bet.

Hope this helps.

[shooraijin]

My Macintosh has a Pioneer 4x DVD burner, and it works pretty well. The firmware is flashable, too (you'll know what this means if this is something that makes a difference to you; I won't explain further).

[Bobtheduck]

This post is by someone who doesn't own a DVD burner... This is going off observations and patterns only... Any point I'm wrong on, I welcome correction...

One problem when getting DVD burners is, like the early days of CD burners, software problems... The burning software is often a pain to get to work correctly...

Now, for DVD (movie) authoring, you have a lot of things to worry about... If you just wanna dump your movies to DVD straight, any burning software can do that provided your video is in the right format (MPEG-2, I'd guess) Some software can convert any video format you use, outside of formats like Realvideo, into burnable so you should be able to find something, but I am unsure of WMV files... They are windows proprietary, so I'm not sure what can LEGALLY convert those vides... Anyone has an idea, let me know.

Now, for custom menus, chapter skips, and the better DVD features like alternate audio tracks and Subtitles, this is something that the basic software isn't likely to do... You are going to have to pay money to make your DVD look good. Plain and simple...

Also, in order to get, say, your home movies in a useable format, you have to have capture capabilities, which needs hardware and software and is its own set of problems... If you wanna be doing any sort of editing, then that adds another layer... I haven't used Movie Maker yet, but I don't like the fact it only outputs to WMV... That may make it impossible to burn depending on the software (if anyone wants to correct me, go right ahead, be sure to mention what software you use)

[agasfas]

Actually if you want to back up your own movies you can use DVDshrink. It will rip the dvd as is and burn it onto the blank dvd disk. Keeping the menus or whatever you want intact. Also, burning programs to consider would be Nero. Hands down one of the best programs to use and compatible with most dvd burners.

But if you have random movie files, clips, music videos etc that you want to make a video dvd there are tons of conversion tools and guides to make it possible. Even tools to help make your own menus and such. Most are free as well. A good site would be:
http://www.videohelp.com/


And no, my intent isn't saying to go out, rent movies and copy them. If you own them or have random video files you want to make a video dvd out of.. it's totally possible.

[Arnobius]

I thought that the -R's are kind of being overtaken in versatility by +R's. It's the +R that can do the dual layers and are easier to burn.

Of course, I have a 16x +/-.

Incidentally, for people who want to make a movie (or AMV) out of clips and need to get past decryption, http://www.dvddecrypter.com was a good place to go. Much superior to my old DVD Copy Plus. Of course you still need something to turn a section into a workable mpeg (I use Intervideo's DVD Copy).

[agasfas]

I thought that the -R's are kind of being overtaken in versatility by +R's. It's the +R that can do the dual layers and are easier to burn.

I wouldn't say overtaking... Though, come to think I haven't seen a Double layer dvd burner that does -R's only +R's. Hmm.... Though, I believe they will eventually make an double layer -R one... I hope

I mean remember when the first cd burners came out? Everything was CD-R's. Then they begain to make CD+R's. Usually, -R's tend to be the first ones on the market... betas sort-of speak. Though it looks like the double layer +R's might have beaten the -R's to the punch first this time. Also, I think more people buy CD-R's then CD+R's; is that correct? Or perhaps it just seems like it. But i doubt -R's will be going anywhere anytime soon. Like I've said, I personally perfer DVD-R's because I know most dvd player will accept them. Plus, both +/- R's are about the same price anyways. I mean for many people, the disc format (- or +) depends on what your main purpose is. For video, most use DVD-R's, for data backup most +r's. But now, they are about the same.. More or less. Some dvd players will play DVD-R's better than DVD+R's and sometimes a dvd player will play +r's better then -r's. Some dvd players are format sensitive... where it'll play both but perhaps one will skip a little. So i guess it really depends on perference, what dvd player you have, and whether or not your dvd player will take it.

Mostly, it's just a perference thing. Just like I perfer to use Fujifilm and Memorex discs over TDK's or Sony's.

I hope they make a double layer -R soon. it would be a shame if they didn't. But come to think, it would make life easier if everything used one format.


Edit: I asked someone who knows a lot about dvd's and such and they said there are double layer dvd-r's; currently it's only used for commercial use, having a blue bottom. Though, many others expect that the double layer dvd-r's will be released pretty soon for private use. I hope so

[Arnobius]

[quote="agasfas"]I wouldn't say overtaking... Though, come to think I haven't seen a Double layer dvd burner that does -R's only +R's. Hmm.... Though, I believe they will eventually make an double layer -R one... I hope

I mean remember when the first cd burners came out? Everything was CD-R's. Then they begain to make CD+R's. Usually, -R's tend to be the first ones on the market... betas sort-of speak. Though it looks like the double layer +R's might have beaten the -R's to the punch first this time. Also, I think more people buy CD-R's then CD+R's]
[quote="agasfas"]
Edit: I asked someone who knows a lot about dvd's and such and they said there are double layer dvd-r's]
I haven't heard of the DL -R discs, but my info may be out of date. I had heard that there were some problems with the structure of the format, while +R could handle it.

Never heard of a CD+R before. Incidentally, I do notice that it seems to be common practice now for computers to come with +R drives instead of -R drives when they're not multi-format.

One thing that makes the +R important to me is that for Recovery DVDs, my computer will recognize it even if Windows is dead, but it can't recognize a -R

[shooraijin]

I don't know what a CD+R is either. Perhaps the original poster was thinking of -RW?

I've heard rumours of a DL -R also, but I haven't seen them for commercial sale. Interesting that your system likes DVD+R better; it's the reverse situation on the Mac.

[nightblade]

I was actually thinking about getting a DVD+-RW so this is really helpful, thanks guys ^^;

[agasfas]

I mean remember when the first cd burners came out? Everything was CD-R's. Then they begain to make CD+R's. Usually, -R's tend to be the first ones on the market... betas sort-of speak. Though it looks like the double layer +R's might have beaten the -R's to the punch first this time. Also, I think more people buy CD-R's then CD+R's; is that correct? Or perhaps it just seems like it. But i doubt -R's will be going anywhere anytime soon.

Opps, my mistake. For some reason I inter-changed my thoughts of dvd +/- r's with cd's... You are right. I don't believe CD+R's exist... Though perhaps I'm wrong... Never know.. Sorry for that random, incorrect thought and mental processing that just occured.

I've done a searching and found of some more rumors about DL-R... I mean, personally I think they'll eventually make them. When reading some dvd burner reviews and all the dvd burners state they don't support DVD-RDL. Yet. Hopefully that'll change

Anways, Nightblade you right. It's best to get a dvd +/- R and RW drive.
Very versatile.
Just a bit of advice, stay away from Cyberhomes and Dynex burners. I've heard some really bad stories from customers. Also, I read a lot of reviews that state similar things.

If you want to check out customer reviews for burner check out:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters

Edit: Also, I did some more price checking and it seems like there are many double layer burners that range from $99 (cyberhome....) to $120. If you do your pricing right, you may find a good cheap one. Though I've seen some DL's go for about $160 plus .

[nightblade]

What brand would you recommend that's good but economically priced? www.newegg.com i usually go to if you need a search engine

[agasfas]

I did a search on newegg.com and it seems that Sony is fairly cheap (price wise). Many of them that burn double layers for under $90... some under $70
Sony, is a good brand.

Pioneer and Toshiba are a bit more pricey.. about $100-$120. To be expected.

And under Samsung Model TS-H552B is like $58. Burns Doubles as well. That's cheap! Now I don't know much about Samsung burners...

My guess is that anyone of those would be a good buy. Quality wise, about the same I would assume. I would go w/ the sony.. that's only from personal perference because I own a Sony Burner and it works great


Hope I'm reading the prices right. Hahah

[Bobtheduck]

I wasn't talking about backing up commercial DVD's... I was talking about DVD authoring... Making nice DVDs out of your own footage... That's what I want to do...

[Arnobius]

I wasn't talking about backing up commercial DVD's... I was talking about DVD authoring... Making nice DVDs out of your own footage... That's what I want to do...

Keep in mind that DL DVDs aren't sold in most stores and cost about $11 per disc based om prices seen on the web. Also, $11/disc but I believe are sold in packs, so NOT cheap!

[agasfas]

I wasn't talking about backing up commercial DVD's... I was talking about DVD authoring... Making nice DVDs out of your own footage... That's what I want to do...

Ohh okay.. yeah if you still need it, check out http://www.videohelp.com/. They have a million guides on how to make your own dvd's from your own video footage and a list of many conversion tools to encode your video to another format. EX: AVI >MPEG II, MOV>AVI etc...
or whatever. Sorry for the misunderstanding

Yep DL are expensive. At my work (Bestbuy) I've only seen DL DVD sold in a 3pk for $29.99... Not cheap at all. After taxes (8.25%) and it's $10.82 a disk.. or about $11

[Arnobius]

Ohh okay.. yeah if you still need it, check out http://www.videohelp.com/. They have a million guides on how to make your own dvd's from your own video footage and a list of many conversion tools to encode your video to another format. EX: AVI >MPEG II, MOV>AVI etc...
or whatever.

Yep DL are expensive. At my work (Bestbuy) I've only seen DL DVD sold in a 3pk for $29.99... Not cheap at all. After taxes and stuff it's about $11 a disk.

They don't even sell them where I live unless you want to buy a box of different discs that includes 1 DL. If you can get them for $29.99, the've come down in price, since online the best I could do was $34.99

[agasfas]

They don't even sell them where I live unless you want to buy a box of different discs that includes 1 DL. If you can get them for $29.99, the've come down in price, since online the best I could do was $34.99

Yeah, for the longest time we only sold the packs you're talking about.. a 3pk w/ 2 dvd+r's and one DL DVD+R. Used to be $30, now it's about $19.99 here in Austin. ANd the 3 DL pack are $29.99. Verbatim brand... I know nothing about them.
Similar to this

[shooraijin]

I like Verbatim CD-Rs and floppies. Never used their DVD media, but their other stuff seems to be very high quality.