DVD + - rw ???????? 1

[Daire]

i want to get a DVD writer but i dont know what to get.
i am looking at an MSI DVD recorder DR8-A IDE DVD+R/+RW and DVD-R/-RW writing -dvd at 8x but only has a buffer of 2mb while the slower 4x writer has an 8 mb buffer.

any one got any sugestions as to which or what dvd writer (budget) to purchase that wont be obsolete next week?

cheers

 

[franklin97355]

Make sure you get one that will do both + and -

 

[paparazi]

Personally I would say the new 8x writers from either Pioneer or Sony, although the Plextor is supposed to be the Rolls Royce but at a high cost.
A cheaper alternative might be the LiteOn .
But 8X multiformats.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[Daire]

thanks,

i read somewhere that 8x media is not widely available though and the writer is only 8x for DVD+R format and 4x for DVD-R.
the 4x writer I was looking at had 8mb cache while the 8x model from the same manufacturer has only 2mb cache - do you think the cache makes much difference?

ds

 

[cdogg]

Cache make a difference? It can in certain circumstances, but just about all DVD burners use some type of "burnproof" technology which pauses the laser if the buffer runs dry. Therefore, the size of the buffer doesn't matter as much today as it did back in the day before "burnproof" was used.

Larger caches can yield slightly faster burn times in certain situations where the cache is hit frequently (i.e. slower PC's, slow source drive such as another DVD-ROM drive, etc). However, I wouldn't let the cache size determine which burner I chose.

Just my 2¢


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind"
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[ceh4702]

The drives from Sony are very picky about using high quality media. I recommend Lite-On or Asus. I have had pretty good luck using both. Asus seems to make really good optical drives.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[Daire]

Thanks all and cdogg, decided on the MSI 8x DVD+ writer with the lower cache.

got to try and find some 8x disks now

 

[bazzert]

TAke a look at this site it will show you media copatibility with dvd writers

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?selectmedia=552&searchdvdwriter=120

 

[Daire]

Thanks

p.s.
i've already downloaded the firmware update before I've even recieved the drive. it says to unzip into a directory , boot to dos and execute from there.

question - whats the best way to get xp to boot to dos?

 

[cdogg]

Well, the best way is to use a Win98 boot disk (if you don't have one, check out bootdisk.com)

Now if your hard drive is using FAT32, then you should be able to follow the instructions exactly by using the boot disk for DOS. However, if your drive is formatted in NTFS, obviously you're not going to be able to see the drive from DOS. Therefore in that case, you'd want to copy the installation files (firmware update files) to another floppy and execute it from there.

Good Luck!

 

[garebo]

Before i bought my dvd+r i thought i had read that +r is compatible with more cdrecorders and more dvd players.
Maybe i read wrong!
I do know one thing, dvd-r disks are cheaper and easier to get while dvd+r tend to cost more per disk.

 

[cdogg]

garebo,
I've found that the difference in cost is very slight when you buy in bulk. I've found both DVD-R and DVD+R 50-disk spindles around $50 when they go on sale in local retail stores (they may even be cheaper online). Also, the -R/RW format is actually slightly more compatible, especially with older DVD players. However, I do mean slightly.

Check out a statistic here:

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvd

~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind"
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[garebo]

yes, the places that pretty well specialize in media sell for about the same price. I should have mentioned that places like newegg,etc, whenever i am buying something and go and check on dvdr prices, then i find the +r usually more money, the dvd-r less and usually sold in larger qauntites. I like to buy as much stuff from same place and keep my shipping costs down, so i dont just go to a place that sells media.
Good idea, though, if you are going to buy 100 to 500 of them at one time!
All i know is that before i bought my +r i read a fair amount and they is what i read at the time. Prolly things have changed with more people buying and using them and reporting info i suppose. I do know that when i go to check on prices i often find the +r going for less money. Guess thats just where i shop!