Computers and Related Hardware/Software

geoffropuff wrote:as you guys know, i have been distroing onizukas dramas on dvd. its been kinda tough on me because i cant do anything while the dramas are burning, and since its a 1x burner, its burning for a really long time. anyways, i'm in the market for a new burner, to help me better serve people who are ordering from me, and because i just hate being so freaking slow. my question is, whats the best dvd burner for my money? i was thinking about the sony dru-510a. it covers both dvd-r and dvd+r, as well as burns cd-r and cd-rw. i also heard that the new panasonic one was good. dont really know tho. help me out.

prices, specs, reliabilty, anything along those lines would be greatly appreciated.

I currently own the SONY DRU-510A. Love it! The only problem is that the read speed is somewhat slow (12x). However, from what I've read, this is done on purpose. And it isn't just SONY that's doing it. Supposedly, manufacturers make the DVD writable drives slower than DVD-ROM drives to deter disc copying. What the people on DVDRHelp recommend instead is to buy a DVD burner AND a DVD-ROM drive.

--- groink

ok, my sis has a dru-510a so i'm going to be trying it out when i go back home for the holidays. i hope its as good as everyone says. i already have a yamaha cd-rw and a pioneer 16x dvd drive, so i already have the others drives i need. this will be my third drive in the comp since i'm taking out the burner and installing that one in my parents compueter at home. thanks for the input guys.

I plan to buy either LG GSA-4040B or NEC ND-1300 burner some time next year when I have money. Both around for 130 € which is not bad. With updated firmware they should be able to burn the cheap media as well :) Blank media still pricey over here, bulk dvd-r for 2.6 € at cheapest :sweat: . Orderin the blank media from the UK is way cheaper! Ritek dvd-r 25 pack for 14 £!!!, 0.53 £ each :mrgreen: Supports 2x burn with a correct firmware. VERY Tempting :drooling: The postage is a bit pricey, not bad if we do group orders, postage is split.

Sooner or later I have to get the burner or I'll be drowned on the pile of cds (literally exaggerated :hehe: ).

groink wrote:I currently own the SONY DRU-510A. Love it! The only problem is that the read speed is somewhat slow (12x). However, from what I've read, this is done on purpose. And it isn't just SONY that's doing it. Supposedly, manufacturers make the DVD writable drives slower than DVD-ROM drives to deter disc copying.

Good to know. One of these days I'm gonna hit you up on some hardware upgrade questions for LD/VHS transfers to disc. :)

What the people on DVDRHelp recommend instead is to buy a DVD burner AND a DVD-ROM drive.

Cool. I'm halfway there. :D

as far as media, i always to try to buy good quality disks, usually memorex dvd-r.

geoffropuff wrote:as far as media, i always to try to buy good quality disks, usually memorex dvd-r.

I use the exact same brand for my own use. As for giving DVD-Rs to people, the CompUSA 1x DVD-Rs are decent enough, though I personally wouldn't use it for my own archiving. At $7.00 for a 10-pack right now, you can't beat it (versus $99.95 for a 50-cylinder of the Memorex brand).

--- groink

*snifle* I feel so outdated with my 52x CD-R burner....

You can try www.hardwarezone.com :)
A lot of recommendations and reviews there...

Uchiha Potato wrote:*snifle* I feel so outdated with my 52x CD-R burner....

Save a tissue for me, Potato-guy, 'cause I've got an old 24x10x40x burner... I need new hardware for 2004!!

i reccommend the pioneer A104, or A105 or A106. Many people have these (100+ user reviews for each model and ranked pretty high-plus they are inexpensive).
a104 does 2x
a105 does 4x
a106 does 4x (plus its dual format).
i myself have the 105 model..most of these are hackable so u can burn 2x on 1x ritek media (and some other brands), and you can remove the read speed cap (to rip dvds faster).
although the sony models seem more appealing since most are dual format they are a bit pricey. $50-$100 more than the pioneer a106.

Uchiha Potato wrote:*snifle* I feel so outdated with my 52x CD-R burner....

LOL i have the same exact thing! but its pretty good so i can't complain.. and i saw that a pack of blank DVDs are $49.99 :shocked: i'll stick to 19 cent CDs while i still can fit stuff into them!..lol such poor college students we are :shakehead:

Uchiha Potato wrote:*snifle* I feel so outdated with my 52x CD-R burner....

BUAHAHAA! Got an antique 4x2x24x :mrgreen: I still use it, patience is needed at burnin goods. I usually surf durin the burnin, when done, insert another cd and so.

OMG are U SERIOUS!? ... u gotta take that thing out and sell it at an antique shop ...its ancient .... btw how long does it take to burn at 2x speed?

lovelessemotion wrote:OMG are U SERIOUS!? ... u gotta take that thing out and sell it at an antique shop ...its ancient .... btw how long does it take to burn at 2x speed?

one of my first burners was that speed also, i remember the pain of waiting to burn 1 cdr!!! at 2x it takes 30 minutes! 1x was like 1 hour!
:google:

:lol:

Hehe! Actually it takes 35 mins to burn a 700MB cd at 2x and 20 mins at 4x. This burner has served its master well for the past few years. I shall let it retire when I have found a successor to it :) I think I already have but no money, hehe.

Looking into a DVD Burner...

Plus OR Minus and what brand?

Thanks! :mrgreen:

ntlover000 wrote:Looking into a DVD Burner...

Plus OR Minus and what brand?

Thanks! :mrgreen:

I'm not totally sold on any one particular brand. I do have a SONY model, and I'm quite happy with it. The only thing it lacks is DVD-RAM support. This may be an issue down the road because several people are using DVD-RAM on their home DVD recorders.

Reading a couple of sources, DVD-R has a 5-percent higher compatibility rate than DVD+R (in raw figures, 85-percent versus 80-percent). And, DVD-RAM is not used all that much.

Of course, the best drive would be one that can do DVD+/R, DVD+/-RW, and DVD-RAM. However, I'd still be fine without the DVD-RAM support in order to save a few dollars.

Other tips... Check out DVDRHelp.com and see if there are any DVD writable drives that support a region-free hack. My SONY model does not. :( However, I use AnyDVD to work around that.

Also, if you get an IDE/ATAPI based internal unit, try keeping it on the secondary IDE controller by itself. It's highly recommended that you keep your main system's hard disk and the DVD writable on separate IDE controllers so that there's no lag. If you've run out of IDE interfaces, I'd go out and buy a PCI-based IDE controller and dedicate it to the DVD writable drive.

--- groink

Here'a another thread on the topic: http://jdorama.com/viewtopic_2890.htm

Hope this helps! :D

groink wrote:
I'm not totally sold on any one particular brand. I do have a SONY model, and I'm quite happy with it. The only thing it lacks is DVD-RAM support. This may be an issue down the road because several people are using DVD-RAM on their home DVD recorders.

Reading a couple of sources, DVD-R has a 5-percent higher compatibility rate than DVD+R (in raw figures, 85-percent versus 80-percent). And, DVD-RAM is not used all that much.

Of course, the best drive would be one that can do DVD+/R, DVD+/-RW, and DVD-RAM. However, I'd still be fine without the DVD-RAM support in order to save a few dollars.

Other tips... Check out DVDRHelp.com and see if there are any DVD writable drives that support a region-free hack. My SONY model does not. :( However, I use AnyDVD to work around that.

Also, if you get an IDE/ATAPI based internal unit, try keeping it on the secondary IDE controller by itself. It's highly recommended that you keep your main system's hard disk and the DVD writable on separate IDE controllers so that there's no lag. If you've run out of IDE interfaces, I'd go out and buy a PCI-based IDE controller and dedicate it to the DVD writable drive.

--- groink

Some great advice there. You SysE's are awesome! :applaud:

BTW, another good Region Free program is DVD Region Free.... :D