OK,
I need a new optical drive/burner is fried, and I need it now. It's time to back up, and my current burner (CD-R/RW) is pooched.
For $40-90 (Cdn), I can get a current-generation burner and just replace this one, continue burning on normal CDs, and continue on as usual.
For $80-200 (Cdn), I can get a current-generation multi-format DVD/CD burner. This will enable me to (obviously) burn DVDs instead.
Now the questions and particulars:
- I don't plan on pirating any DVDs, and I don't do video editing, so the ability to burn a video DVD for playback isn't important in the least
- I'm worried that DVD burning technology is still very slow. The one that's more in my price range burns at 4X (+R/RW) or 2X (-R/-RW) only. Is the extra storage of a DVD really worth the slow burn time? Do those numbers correlate to CD burn times that I'm familiar with? (Ie. is 4X DVD burn the same speed as 4X CD burn?)
- If the technology IS still really slow, wouldn't it be less frustrating to just use MORE discs but do my burns more quickly?
- Are there any brand names that stand out for reliability? Cheap is only good if the unit's not a piece of shit like my current one. It's not just now-- it has NEVER worked particularly well. I'd rather get reliable than cheap.
- Are DVDs themselves more reliable (either in terms of durability or the way they process the dye) than CDs (which I'm growing to mistrust)? Are they LESS reliable?
And finally, if that's a lot to ask, does anyone know of a reliable website with reviews, specs, etc. that's easy to navigate and is up-to-date? I've used Tom's Hardware before, but I'm not a huge fan. Any others?
Thanks muchly for replies to this or my other 2 threads.
Greg
DVD-R/W question - LM miscellany part 3
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
*just one bump to try to get people who keep different hours. Sorry!*
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- KVRist
- 115 posts since 1 Jan, 2003 from Finland
I just got my first DVD+R/RW writer myself...
Haven't burn anything on a DVD disc yet, but it worked like a charm for the 3 or 4 audio CD's I burnt
This one also has Burnproof and overburning both which I never had in a writer before.
It's 4x/2.4x for DVD+R/RW respectively.
Keep in mind that with DVD writers, the nx speeds work differently than with CD writers.
have a look at this page: http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#4.2
That means my 4x drive is 36x in CD terms
Haven't burn anything on a DVD disc yet, but it worked like a charm for the 3 or 4 audio CD's I burnt
This one also has Burnproof and overburning both which I never had in a writer before.
It's 4x/2.4x for DVD+R/RW respectively.
Keep in mind that with DVD writers, the nx speeds work differently than with CD writers.
have a look at this page: http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#4.2
That means my 4x drive is 36x in CD terms
psy-trance freak
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- KVRist
- 115 posts since 1 Jan, 2003 from Finland
The fastest DVD writers are actually faster than the with any CD writer. In fact, their speed reaches the boundaries of what the mechanics is capable of 
psy-trance freak
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- KVRist
- 115 posts since 1 Jan, 2003 from Finland
Oh, and about reliability, I think CD's and DVD's are equal. At least I remember reading that a DVD-RW disc endures approx. 1000 times of rewriting (which, as I recall is same for CD-RW discs)
But there are differences in media, of course, and different standards, features etc.
like different media sizes, dual layers, DVD-R vs. DVD+R...
edit: sorry about so many replies
the best link I have is definitely
http://www.videohelp.com/
and of course the FAQ at
http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html
But there are differences in media, of course, and different standards, features etc.
like different media sizes, dual layers, DVD-R vs. DVD+R...
edit: sorry about so many replies
the best link I have is definitely
http://www.videohelp.com/
and of course the FAQ at
http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html
psy-trance freak
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
MUCH appreciated replies, as I'm about to head out the door, and I'll be stopping off to pick up a unit on my way to work.
Especially regarding the speeds... 4X is still the same speed as my current CD-R (actually, it's 32X), which is plenty fast for me (when it worked...).
Also, even if I never burn any DVDs, it'll be nice to at least be able to read them-- for example, magazine cover discs that come in DVD format instead of CD.
Cheers! Those were some very helpful replies!
Greg
Especially regarding the speeds... 4X is still the same speed as my current CD-R (actually, it's 32X), which is plenty fast for me (when it worked...).
Also, even if I never burn any DVDs, it'll be nice to at least be able to read them-- for example, magazine cover discs that come in DVD format instead of CD.
Cheers! Those were some very helpful replies!
Greg
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
Well, I ended up with a Sony DW-U18A. Whatever that means.
Seems to be working dandy so far, though the media I have (trying to get through the last of these god-awful Black Memorex wastes of money) is unreliable. Even at a more conservative speed (24X instead of its max potential), I burned a 2/3-full CD of data plus verify and close in 6 minutes.
I guess that's not much for some people, but for me that's plenty good. With better media, I can probably chop that time down if necessary, but I probably won't bother.
Thanks for the posts, all.
Greg
Seems to be working dandy so far, though the media I have (trying to get through the last of these god-awful Black Memorex wastes of money) is unreliable. Even at a more conservative speed (24X instead of its max potential), I burned a 2/3-full CD of data plus verify and close in 6 minutes.
I guess that's not much for some people, but for me that's plenty good. With better media, I can probably chop that time down if necessary, but I probably won't bother.
Thanks for the posts, all.
Greg