How to select a good DVD writer

[Wai_Wai]

Hi.
I would like to buy a DVD writer.

1) I have not many ideas how to pick a DVD writer.
When selecting a DVD writer, what aspects/specifications do I need to focus on?
Do you have any criteria when selecting your DVD writer?

By the way, this is my temporary criteria:
- support DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW; DVD+/-R (DL), DVD+/-RW (DL)
- stable (or longer warranty period)
- can read most discs correctly, even the lower-quality discs (eg data burnt on poor-quality discs, or discs burnt by poor CD/DVD writers)
- the noise factor is unimportant (unless it is too loud)

Info about my computer:
- my motherboard is A7N8X-X, only support up to 2*UDMA 133
- I have 2 HDDs and 1 CD-RW currently. I think the DVD-writer will replace the CD-RW.
- I use my DVD writers mainly for reading videos/audios, burning DVDs for videos/audios, and for file storage & data backups.


2)
Which brand or model will you suggest me buying?
And **most importantly**, why?


3) About DVD write types and writing speed:
.. a) For the write types, as far as I know, there are CAV, CLV, ZCLV, PCAV [any more?].
Are these factors important when choosing a DVD writer?
Which one should I prefer?

.. b) For writing speed, I'm not sure if speed is important.
Even if they support very high speed, is it unwise to burn at that high speed since it also increase the chance to spoil the DVD?
If so, what's the point of getting a very-high-speed DVD writer?
I'd just use the lower speed to burn a safe DVD. :P
What do you think?


4)
Maybe it's a stupid question.
But is it true all DVD-writers can read CD and VCD (Video CD)?
And is it true all DVD-writers support at least:
- CD-R
- CD-RW
- DVD+/-R
- DVD+/-RW
??


5) Better DVD media
Apart from dual-layer DVD, is there any better DVD media in the market now?
If so, what are they?
How good are they?

Should I buy a DVD writer which support these DVD media too?
Why?


Thanks so much for your answer.

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "
I would like to buy a DVD writer.

Which brand or model will you suggest me buying?
" }-
This question is very difficult to answer.
Now-a-days there are no really bad writers anymore.

Take a look here (http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cdrom/dvd_reviews.shtml#DVD-Writers%20Reviews), on that site there are several links to reviews.

Read the reviews, but don't forget to read the user opinions/reviews too!!
They are very important, practice is what count, and only users know what practice is;)

[AnthonyG]

The only two DVD writers worth getting are either from NEC or Benq. (or one of their derivitives, e.g Phillips are rebranded benq's).

Avoid liteon DVD burners like the plague (and that goes for their rebandeged named rip off sony's drives which are exactly! the same drives as the liteons but with sony written on them and usually £20-40 more. (classic example of paying for the name).

The Benq 1640 is the drive all the experts are raving about. And currently the absolute best drive you can get. Heres a review.

http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/226/11


-{ Quote: "Taken as the conclusion
“An unpolished diamond, the drive performs excellent in almost every area and offers features that really puts it ahead of the competition”
" }-

[ErikAlbert]

For my new computer, I ordered two CD/DVD writers :
BenQ DW1640 CD/DVD RW
http://www.benq.com/products/product.cfm?product=554&page=specifications
My main CD/DVD reader/writer.
BenQ DW1625 CD/DVD RW - LightScribe
http://www.benq.com/products/product.cfm?product=412&page=features
I didn't need a second CD/DVD RW, but I liked the LightScribe feature.
It's a good way to label your CD/DVD's and it has a very professional look.
Having a second CD/DVD RW as reserve was an additional reason of minor importance. (CD/DVD RW's usually fail, when you really NEED them ;D )
Unfortunately, the vendor told me he can't get them anymore for a long time.
I don't mind about that, because they will improve lightscribe in the next years : maybe the write speed, which is actually rather slow for labels (upto 40 minutes) and certainly the colors ( I've seen examples of colored LightScribe labels).
After all, I can buy a LightScribe CD/DVD RW anytime. The longer I wait, the better.

Why BenQ ? There are so many brands, so many opinions, so many reviews, I didn't get any wiser.
According my readings BenQ wasn't a bad choice and that's enough for me.
Also the very best CD/DVD RW's can fail, if you have bad luck.
CD/DVD RW isn't that important for me.

I won't use my CD/DVD RW to backup my harddisk, that is NOT a good idea IMO.
CD/DVD aren't reliable enough and not convenient for me to backup my harddisk.
If you need several CD/DVD's to backup a harddisk of 80GB upto 300GB or even more and one of these CD/DVD's is bad, your restore will fail too.
I wouldn't advice packet writing (DirectCD or InCD) either, which is even more unreliable.
I will use my second harddisk to backup my first harddisk and later on an external harddisk, if I need more space.

Use CD/DVD's for stuff that BELONGS on CD/DVD, like movies, music, photos, ... and use it also to backup your movies, music, photos, ...
If you are a real collector of movies, music, photos, ... you know in advance that your harddisk will be too small in the future, so you better store them on CD/DVD's immediately.

[iceni60]

the plextor px-740a is very good. it's very fast and supports dual-layer dvd writting. it also has a very good cd bundle - plextools. it's £39 at dabs.com/uk (code:3RPRD1)
of course i know nothing about it, i just copied that out of a magazine ;D

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "the plextor px-740a is very good. it's very fast and supports dual-layer dvd writting. it also has a very good cd bundle - plextools. it's £39 at dabs.com/uk (code:3RPRD1)
of course i know nothing about it, i just copied that out of a magazine ;D" }-
Plextor is also a good brand, my PlexWriter 12/4/32 did a good job during 5 years, but it's high time to get a new one ;D

I also checked the DVD formats of DW1640 :
DVD+R DL 8.5GB, DVD+R 4.7GB, DVD+RW 4.7GB (Closed Session), DVD-R 4.7GB, DVD-RW 4.7GB (closed session), DVD-Video, DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-18
Nice to know :
http://www.copydvdgold.com/dvd-5-dvd-9.html

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "Why BenQ ? There are so many brands, so many opinions, so many reviews, I didn't get any wiser.
According my readings BenQ wasn't a bad choice and that's enough for me.
" }-
That's the reason why i wrote before: the choice is very difficult!;)

Brand BenQ: they produce many products, f.e. i have 3 BenQ TFT-screens, and i'm really satisfied with them.:)

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "
My main CD/DVD reader/writer.
BenQ DW1625 CD/DVD RW - LightScribe
" }-
I assume you need special LightScribe media?

What are the costs of LightScribe media?

I was already thinking about buying a Lightscribe burner, now i buy my CD's and DVD's in the supermarket and they are REALLY cheap.....

[ErikAlbert]

The history of LightScribe :
http://h10058.www1.hp.com/digital/entertainment/us/en/resources_info/lightscribe_faq.html#whatIs

Review on LightScribe
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/columns/executive_tech/article.php/3463801
Examples of LightScribe
http://www.lightscribe.com/use/winterholidays.aspx?id=226#
Giving prices is a bit difficult for me, because I live in Belgium.
Verbatim CD/DVD seems to be very good for lightscribe.
http://www.epinions.com/content_212937838212

If you google on the net, you will find lots of stores, but they are more expensive than normal CD's.

Keep also in mind, that you have to LIKE/LOVE LightScribe, many users don't. They prefer to use a printer to label their CD/DVD's.

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "For my new computer, I ordered two CD/DVD writers :
BenQ DW1640 CD/DVD RW
http://www.benq.com/products/product.cfm?product=554&page=specifications
My main CD/DVD reader/writer.
BenQ DW1625 CD/DVD RW - LightScribe
http://www.benq.com/products/product.cfm?product=412&page=features
" }-
Oops!

You better redraw the order!:o

Just read this on the BenQ website:

Europe, 21st of December, 2005 – BenQ announced two new additions to its DVD ReWriter line up, the BenQ DW1650 and BenQ DW1655. Both model features dual cooling system, BenQ’s proprietary Solidburn technology and BenQ’s exclusive Write Right technology. What is more, DW1655 also features convenient Direct Disc Labeling capability.

With the embedded Light Scribe technology, the BenQ DW1655 DVDReWriter is able to offer users a convenient way of labeling the discs by just simply flipping the disc over to the label side and insert it into the drive after finishing burning the tracks onto the data side of the disc. The BenQ DW1650/1655 DVD ReWriter supports both DVD+R and DVD-R recording at 16x.

The BenQ DW1650/1655 DVD ReWriter features BenQ’s proprietary Dual Cooling System technology which effectively reduces the risk of over-heating during high-speed reading and writing as well as a more reliable. The BenQ DW1650/1655 DVD ReWriter also features the BenQ’s exclusive Write Right technology which yields a perfect control over the laser beam angle and the power rate being projected onto the disc. The BenQ DW1650/1655 DVD ReWriter supports both DVD+R and DVD-R Double Layer recording at 8x and 6x respectively.

Equipped with BenQ’s proprietary SolidBurn technology, the DW1650/1655 DVD ReWriter provides users with superior optical writing that enables a faster and over speed burning while maintaining at an excellent burning quality. The users can choose to activate or deactivate the SolidBurn Technology and Over Speed Burning feature by using the QSuite application interface.

End of the story.


Today i have read a lot about the differences between the DW1625 and DW1640, i wait 'till the new burners 1650/1655 can be delivered and buy without any doubts the DW1655.

The DW1655 has the same specs as the DW1650 (plus LightScribe)!

Between the "old" models 1640 and 1625 there are remarkable differences, and it seems that BenQ has make the both new models 1650/1655 equal.

[ErikAlbert]

Smokey,
Thanks for the update, but I'm afraid it's too late. They are assembling my computer already ;D
Belgium isn't exactly a great country to buy computers : expensive and never the latest hardware/software of anything.
My new computer is already OLD, only the hardware components are new. ;D

I bought my computer for other reasons :
1. AMD Athlon 4400+ 64Bit X2 Dual-Core Processor
2. 2 x 1024MB RAM
3. 2 x WD Raptor WD740GD HDD 74gb 10000rpm SATA 8mb Cache 4.5ms

The rest wasn't important for me and can be replaced anytime.
After all CD/DVD RW aren't that expensive.

[dog]

I love my Burner ... It supports all formats +R/RW/DL -R/RW and DVDRAM. Mine is a year old now I bought last November but it's a great burner ... and nice a cheap now ... I'm sure it'd be available in your area - here's a link for a local store - http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10055584&catid=

[bigc73542]

I have three DVD burners and the are all LG brand they burn all formats and I have never burned a "coaster" they have been exceptionaly dependable and are recognized by almost all burning programs if not all. I would put them up against any other brand for quality and dependability.

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "I bought my computer for other reasons :
1. AMD Athlon 4400+ 64Bit X2 Dual-Core Processor
2. 2 x 1024MB RAM
3. 2 x WD Raptor WD740GD HDD 74gb 10000rpm SATA 8mb Cache 4.5ms]" }-
The specs are great!:)
-{ Quote: "
After all CD/DVD RW aren't that expensive." }-
In the Netherlands €52,- for the brandnew BenQ DW1655....;)

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "I have three DVD burners and the are all LG brand they burn all formats and I have never burned a "coaster" they have been exceptionaly dependable and are recognized by almost all burning programs if not all. I would put them up against any other brand for quality and dependability." }-
Today i was looking for a new burner, and have seen the LG DVD RW+/- 16x Double Layer GSA-4166B LightScribe.

Not bad at all, i was hesitating between the BenQ DW1655 and the LG GSA-4166B, but i decided to order the BenQ.;)

BTW: this LG is indentical to the HP 840b/i.

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "In the Netherlands €52,- for the brandnew BenQ DW1655....;)" }-
The Netherlands and Germany are indeed cheaper countries for computers, but I don't live there.

@Dog and bigC,
If I ever become a "Global Moderator", I will buy a LG CD/DVD burner too ;D ;D ;D

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "I love my Burner ... It supports all formats +R/RW/DL -R/RW and DVDRAM. Mine is a year old now I bought last November but it's a great burner" }-
Looks good too, is the LG GSA-4163B, isn't?

Seems to me the same as the GSA-4166B without LightScribe.

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "The Netherlands and Germany are indeed cheaper countries for computers, but I don't live there.
" }-
Antwerp is 30 minutes away from Breda....;)

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "Antwerp is 30 minutes away from Breda....;)" }-
Right, but I don't have a car. One more car in Antwerp and the traffic freezes ;D
52 EURO + gasoil car = price in Belgium LOL.

[dog]

-{ Quote: "Looks good too, is the LG GSA-4163B, isn't?

Seems to me the same as the GSA-4166B without LightScribe." }-Ya that's the model, lightscribe wasn't available when I bought it (a little over a year ago), although I'm so use to scribing my chick scratch on my no label (no name/house brand) disks, I'd probably buy the same model today - I get 200 DVDs for $38 :D - I've used over a thousand :-[ - and I've never burnt a coaster (in linux or Windows). :)

Yup I'm a burning junkie :D 8)

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "Yup I'm a burning junkie :D 8)" }-
I believe you, your avatar looks like a CD/DVD, at least the shape ;D

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "I believe you, your avatar looks like a CD/DVD, at least the shape ;D" }-
Further comments not necessary.....;D ;D ;D ;D

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "
52 EURO + gasoil car = price in Belgium LOL." }-
You can do a lot more in Breda than buy a burner when you know a little more about the city...;)

There are places where you need another kind of burner!;) 8) :P ;D

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "The Netherlands and Germany are indeed cheaper countries for computers, but I don't live there.
" }-
ErikAlbert, i guess Marcos need some explanation about Belgium, has nothing to do with this thread, please look here (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=639540#post639540) and bring some light in the Belgium NOD32-darkness;)

Thanks in advance!

[Wai_Wai]

Should I buy a DVD burner now?

Hi.
I'm not sure if DVD burner is going to be outmoded soon.
Actually apart from DVD burner, is there any other kind of burners that I can consider?
The one I realise is Blu-ray burner which should be available soon.
Any others?

Is it still okay to buy a DVD burner at this moment?
Or should I consider other burners?
Or else?

Thanks for your reply. :D

[Smokey]

-{ Quote: "Should I buy a DVD burner now?" }-
Why not?

Right now hey are very cheap!
-{ Quote: "
Actually apart from DVD burner, is there any other kind of burners that I can consider?
" }-
Take a look here (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=112659)
-{ Quote: "
The one I realise is Blu-ray burner which should be available soon.
" }-
I guess you can forget soon, and the first blu-ray burners on the market are probably not cheap...
When they are there, don't buy the first available, wait 6 months or better 1 year after release.
-{ Quote: "
Is it still okay to buy a DVD burner at this moment?
" }-
Yes
-{ Quote: "
Or should I consider other burners?
" }-
No

[Mrkvonic]

Hi,
CD burners have been around for about 10 years, and DVD burners for about 5 years. Even though DVD burners have been around for 5 years, CD burners are still very popular and massively used. Most music is CD so they will remain around for many more years. Most movies are DVD so they will remain for many more years. And still, regardless, even if new technology takes hold, it will take at least 5 years for DVD burners to become obsolete.
I give them 10 years.
Take a look at Win98, it's still alive after 8 years, even though XP's been around for 4. And hardware changes even more slowly than software. Hell, we still have floppies, even though no one uses them.
Mrk

[Smokey]

Update about the brandnew BenQ DW1650/DW1655 DVD ReWriters.


Both with the same specifications, with one exception:
the DW1655 is with LightScibe technology.


Specifications:

- Dual Cooling System
- Write Right
- SolidBurn
- Over Speed Burning feature by using the QSuite application interface


Performance

Writing Speed

16X +R
16X -R
8X +RW
6X -RW
8X +R DL
4X -R DL
48X CD-R
32X CDRW
48X CDROM
16X DVDROM

Reading speed

Max. DVD Reading speed 16x
Max. CD reading speed 48x

Seek time 120ms (DVD) / 120ms (CD)

Weight

0.82 kg

Dimensions

(LxWxH)146 x 178 x 42 mm

Buffer Size

2MB

Interface

ATA / ATAPI

Writing Mode
DVD+R/+RW]
DVD Data and Video

[CD-R/-RW]
Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Multisession, Packet Writing (fixed & variable packet), CD Digital Audio, Direct-Over-Write on CD-RW, Simulation Writing

Disc Formats

DVD

Write DVD+R DL 8.5GB, DVD-R DL 8.5GB, DVD+R 4.7GB , DVD+RW 4.7GB , DVD-R 4.7GB ,DVD-RW 4.7GB (Close session)

Read DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-18, DVD+R/-R/+RW/-RW

CD

CD-DA, CD-ROM XA (m1, m2f1/m2f2), CD-R, CD-RW, Bootable CD, Photo CD (single & multi-session), Video CD, Super Video CD, CD-Extra, Mixed-mode CD, CD-Text, CD-Graphics

Lightscribe

CD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R


OS Compatibility

Windows XP / 2000 / ME / 98SE

Power Requirement

DC 5V +/- 5%, ripple 160mVpp
DC12V+/- 10%, ripple 180mVpp

Environment Conditions

Operating temperature: 5°C~50°C (41°F~122°F)
Operating humidity: 8%~80% RH
Non-operating temperature: -40°C~60°C (-40°F~140°F)
Non-operating humidity: 5%~95% RH

Reliability characteristics

MTBF: 125.000 POH (20%)
Non-recoverable read error < 1 block in 1012 bits (CD and DVD)

System Requirement

IBM PC compatible Pentium III 550MHz CPU or above
128MB DRAM, 100MB free HDD space for CD/DVD recording related software installation. 1GB free HDD space for CD Image recording


Review: not available

[Notok]

-{ Quote: "it will take at least 5 years for DVD burners to become obsolete." }-And by then there's a good chance that your DVD burner will have been replaced anyway :)

I say go for it. If nothing else, it's a great storage medium, and a lot of other people have DVD ROMs. I got mine about 6 months ago, and don't regret it at all.

[telex2009]

I would also say, why not get one? Just because there is new technology coming like Blue-ray doesn't mean you shouldn't go for what's available right now. I just picked up a dvd burner for $40. some are even cheaper than that now.

As others have said when Blue-ray burners first appear they will be hundreds of dollars most likely. So I would say go for a nice dvd burner now and don't worry so much about keeping up with the latest trends all the time. It can be very expensive to do so. The current dvd burners will be around for years to come.

[Wai_Wai]

Thanks for all your reply.
So I go and get a DVD burner soon.

Now what DVD media should I buy?
Which one should I buy: DVD-R/-RW or +R/+RW?
Which brand?
Dual-layer or single-layer? Which si better?
Are the storage volume (GB) the same for all DVD media for the same type?

By the way, what's the difference between HDVD and Blu-ray?
What do you think about HDVD?
Better than Blu-ray, or worse?

[Wai_Wai]

-{ Quote: "
I won't use my CD/DVD RW to backup my harddisk, that is NOT a good idea IMO.
CD/DVD aren't reliable enough and not convenient for me to backup my harddisk.
If you need several CD/DVD's to backup a harddisk of 80GB upto 300GB or even more and one of these CD/DVD's is bad, your restore will fail too.
I wouldn't advice packet writing (DirectCD or InCD) either, which is even more unreliable.
I will use my second harddisk to backup my first harddisk and later on an external harddisk, if I need more space.
" }-

But I have many things to backup, say 50-100GB.
If I don't use CD/DVD, how can I backup such large volume of data?

Actually how much is hard disk drive(HDD) now?
Is it really wise to buy another HDD or external HDD or USB drive to store data?
Seems not cost effective...

-{ Quote: "
Use CD/DVD's for stuff that BELONGS on CD/DVD, like movies, music, photos, ... and use it also to backup your movies, music, photos, ...
If you are a real collector of movies, music, photos, ... you know in advance that your harddisk will be too small in the future, so you better store them on CD/DVD's immediately." }-

But you says CD/DVD is not reliable enough...
If so, we might risk losing some valuable moives/music/photos etc.
How can we make sure to burn a reliable CD/DVD?
Will data on CD/DVD get corrupt as time goes by?

[willcorwin]

Wai Wai go with lite on dual-layer DVD burner cheap and it will burn all DVD media. DVD-r/-rw i was told is more compatible with DVD players. I use teon DVD-r when i burn movies, people will tell you that certain brands are better but for the money these do fine. 4.7GB 120min Video for single 8.5 GB for dual, storage between -r\-rw +r\+rw same. now heres where info might get bad i read when the blue laser DVD come out only certain companies will use it I.E. Sony, This will be bad because there is also another type of laser coming out and there not compatible. I wouldn't buy ether tell they figure out which companies are going to use which. This is the first place I have even seen the topic brought up but I'm pretty sure i read this info in Forbes mag.

[xerex90]

Here's a basic comparison between Hd-dvd and Blu-ray. A bit old but still informative. http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,116846,00.asp

More info on some of the other dvd formats that are emerging beyond just Hd-dvd and Blu-ray. Hvd is one that will be able to eventually hold up to 3.9 TB!

http://videosystems.com/e-newsletters/HD_Disc_Contenders092205/index.html

Maybe Hd-dvd and/or Blu-ray won't be the winners after all, at least on all fronts. ;)

And yet another from China.

http://constitutionalcode.blogspot.com/2005/03/chinese-bring-own-blu-rayhdvd-e-vd.html

This is interesting: Blu-ray/ DVD Combo ROM Disc Technology.

http://www.physorg.com/news2510.html

One things for sure, I would definitely wait a while before I put any of my hard earned cash into any of these new formats. I think we'll have to wait for now to see what develops.

[Wai_Wai]

-{ Quote: "One things for sure, I would definitely wait a while before I put any of my hard earned cash into any of these new formats. I think we'll have to wait for now to see what develops." }-

Yes, very true!
Our $$$ are very hard-earned.
We don't wish to waste $$$ on unnecessary things. :P

[Notok]

I got an AOpen that does both +/-R/RW, and it was something like $30-$40. The -R disks are better for movies, mainly if you have an old DVD player, the +R's are better for storage as they have error control and such. I'm not fully up to date on the technologies, but having both is nice, and it was not that expensive at all. Just look around, I'm sure you'll find something good within your price range. So far this drive has held up better than most of the plain CD burners I've had :)

[AnthonyG]

-{ Quote: "The -R disks are better for movies, mainly if you have an old DVD player, the +R's are better for storage as they have error control and such." }-

Not to nit pick but +R are infinitely better for DVD movies, And for pretty much anything really. As they have the ability to be bitset to have its booktype set to DVD-Rom. This makes the disk 100% compatable with every single standalone DVD drive on the market.

[Wai_Wai]

DVD- vs DVD+
http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/113

[willcorwin]

Fujifilm to introduce Blu-ray and HD DVD media in mid-2006

this artical is at tomshardware.com

[willcorwin]

Las Vegas (NV) - In line with this year's introduction of next-generation Blu-ray and HD DVD devices and the increasing penetration of high definition TVs (HDTVs), Fuji Photo Film announced that Fujifilm-branded media for the two platforms will be available mid 2006. Prototypes of the new Fujifilm HD DVD and Blu-ray media will be on display at the Fujifilm booth at CES 2006 (Central Hall, N101/102).