Whats a good DVD-Burner to Buy?
 

As the title says, I'm wondering whats good to buy in therms of a DVD-Burner. I kinda want to get a dual layer burner, so if anyone knows anything about wqhats good or if dual layer burners just blow I'd greatly appreciate it.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...129-157&depa=1

Thats mine and I haven't had a single problem with it. I recommended it highly and the price ain't that bad either.

Yeah that's a good one....I got the NEC for about 70 bucks or so and it rocks also. Just read the reviews on Newegg to hear about problems and bonuses regarding certain burners...

I have a Plextor. It's the third Plextor I have bought. Great drives. They are usually the first out on the market with something new, and lag a little some other times. The drives are great, they give you good stuff in the packages they come with.

I've got this one:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-231&depa=1

spotless record. it works supergreat.

I use a NEC ND-3500A and am very happy with it.

DVD Burner
 

The Sony Double Layer burners are a consumer reports best buy and they have great R&D... I've installed 4 of them so far in different customers computers and had zero problems. The bundled software "Nero 6" is really easy to operate... just make sure you download the latest update for it though... the new interface is way better then the original... they actually listened to there suggested improvements emails.

I've heard bad reports about the Sonys. They're apparently Lite-On drives, and not that good at all. NEC is pretty good and cheap. A recent test in a Dutch computer mag showed that the best results for dual-layer discs were achieved by the Pioneer x08 series (A08 for retail, 108 for OEM). I haven't seen Plextor yet, but they typically have good, if expensive drives.

(as for software: you get Nero 6 with practically every burner out there, so it's not like Sony has an edge there.)

I've heard the same thing about the Lite-on drives, though I must admit that I'm a bit suprised to hear that Sony is putting their name on something like that.
The news groups are full of people slaming the Lite-on drives... and glowing remarks about Sony and Pioneer drives.
Your correct about the software... I just thought I'd throw in the statement about the latest update because it was such a huge improvment over the original.

DukeNukem4ever: The drive may be the same, but ultimately, the firmware is what makes all the difference. Perhaps Sony has a better firmware, and more updates. That may mean that their specific drive will burn more brands of DVDs better.

Dragonlich: Thanks for the schooling. I'd like to think I can learn something new everday.
***Knowledge Is Power***

is it true that some burners on the market today give you around 50 burns, while others give you 5000? Someone told me this once, and I think he's just talking out of his ass...

GraveTaker, he's talking out of his ass. Maybe some burners are crap, and won't be able to work for more than 50 burns, but most burners are expected to last at least three or four years.

Perhaps he was talking about the DVD media - some DVDs are absolute garbage, and won't last a day, where others will slowly degrade over years.

Lite-on Drive
 

I've got a Lite-on 812s. I'll have to agree with you guys as well. The lite-on fails to properly play DVD's after it hits the second layer. It's going back next week... for now it still burns single layer discs just fine, go figure.

Without a doubt, the best burners (either DVD or CD) made are by Plextor. You can't go wrong with them....I've had nothing but GREAT results.

If you like to make "backups" of CD/DVDs, Plextor is very compatibile with MANY formats.

Basic question: I've got a cheapo single-layer DVD writer that has worked flawlessly for around six months.

A place in town has a double-layer one on sale for $80. However, not having ever owned a double-layer writer, I don't know what type of blank media to use. In other words (revealing my ignorance) I would assume that the appropriate blank would be a double-layer one, but I haven't seen any advertised as such.

Also, I don't like hearing about DVDs degrading over the years. I back up old data on them, and I'd like them to outlast the IRS's statute of limitations.

Any advice on choosing the proper blank media is appreciated.

^ to take advantage of the DL, yes.

however, DL blanks are still prohibitively expensive (not sure about in the US, but not even yet readily avail here in germany, and about 15 euro i think?)

we've got 2 NEC's (2510a & 3500) both can do DL ... but for the moment, it's more about having the potential once the media is avail/reasonable priced.

Sin, Yeah... DL Media is quite expensive here in Canada, havn't seen quantity in the states. (I do quite a bit of net shopping)

A local shop had blanks for 13$ a piece. Still, my curiosity may prevail.

Tarl... I'd say just keep what you've got. Don't worry about the DL until media approaches the currenty single layer cost. (btw, I'm a fan of Memorex, and Verbatim... never one coaster with either of these brands)

Here is mine. Has been flawless.... These drives are so inexpensive anymore you really can't go too far wrong...

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Beige, Model ND-3500A BG, OEM
Model# ND-3500A BG
Item # N82E16827152031
Specifications:
Write Speed: 16X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R9, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/ 2000/ ME/ 98SE
Features: High speed writing performance.
Packaging: OEM (see pictures for details)

I have heard that the dual layer technology is still fairly new at the moment and that better writers will come along eventually so it's is better to wait a while before going for the dual layer option.
What are your thoughts? I was tempted untill someone put me off with the above comment.