What DVD Burner do you have ?

[scott015]

im in market to buy one.... what is a good one to get?

[AarontheRipper]

pioneer or sony. Don't bother with the rest.

[MachineMan]

A cheap ($230) Cendyne multi format writer (4x DVD+\-R). Haven't had any problems with it yet. Its actually a repackaged NEC ND 1300A. I wouldn't spend much more unless the write speeds are significantly higher and currenty 4x is the norm.

I have seen mixed messages on the forum that the NEC might have some problems with some of the cheap media like Princo but I tried that media.

If you got the cash, get the Sony DRU-510 for $400. However as with most computer technology, your $400 drive might be outdated in less then a year.

[papaholmz]

I second AarontheRipper.........

I work at an electronics store, and from a standpoint of best quality parts, go with the sony.....

I've also had the opportunity to use many different burners, once again the sony gives good results with many different brands of media.........

Also watch out for a multi-format DVD burner from HP; HP makes great burners, but for now they only support DVD+R/RW and not DVD-R/RW

[macleod]

Some people are wanting to do dual format burners. You may want to consider that so that you can have the best compatibility with dvd players (although there are a few that will not play + or - dvdr).

Me personally, I bought a cendyne A05 for $120.00 DVD-R x4. I have hacked the firmware up to the 1.30, which allows me to burn 1x media at 2x. Can now burn a DVD in 20-25 minutes. So far on my princo 1X's, no coasters (done 17 so far with the new firmware). Would recommend immediately upgrading to 1.3 if you are at the 1.21 as I was producing a certain amount of coasters.

I have been extremely happy with my burner. As far as shopping around for price, there are website that give you customer codes that when given to the business, they knock off XX amount. Dont know if this is legal (assume that it is). Do a search for office max and cendyne burner on this site and it will give you links and go through the discussion thread. I went to office max and used "the code" and got another $50 off of the burner instantly!!!!

[AarontheRipper]

If you have the money, get the sony ($270). If you want to spend less get the pioneer 105 ($170). It only burns -R, but ignore those people who tell you that -R is on the way out. I've had the 105 for 6 months or so, and couldn't be happier, and even if I had the dual format, I'd still probably only burn -R because of the price of the media in bulk.

[orbital517]

I have the pioneer 105 (-R only) and the TDK 440N (multi-format). I've also had the NEC 1100A (horrible drive) and the Sony 500 internal drive (multi-format).

The NEC was by far THE WORST drive i've ever used due to hardware problems (destroyed several RW disks and produced MANY coasters). I wasn't too happy with the Sony drive because it didn't burn at the rated speed on many disks. For example some 4X disks would only burn at 1X or maybe 2X, while many 2X disks would burn only at 1X. It was too picky with different media even with the newest firmware upgrades. I've been VERY happy with the pioneer 105 and TDK 440 though. Both drives burn just about any media at the right speeds without having to upgrade all kinds of different firmware. Also, the Sony drives only rip at 2X MAX while the TDK 440 will rip DVDs at up to 5X, which saves yourself about 10-15 minutes (depending on how big the DVD is).

If you are looking for a dual format drive, I would recommend the TDK 440 over the Sony because of better media capability and burn speeds, and also MUCH MUCH faster ripping speeds.

If you are looking for a -R drive, go with the pioneer 105.

[chazzie]

Come on guys! Don't credit Sony just because it's a Sony! I've used one and burned several DVD+R and it doesn't read in my CyberHome DVD, which it should, from the compability list. When I burn the same disc on an DVD+RW, there's no problem. I'm purchasing my NEC1300A, which I'm certain will work perfectly. Usually, when you have problems burning discs, it's beacause one uses cheap discs rather than a problem with the hardware. A great example of this are those no-name blank silverish CD-R's that were availible early on the CD-R market, they only cost about $1, in perspective to "regular" discs like TDK, Kodak, Verbatim, Platinum etc.

[coyote]

I have the hp dvd200e (they just came out with a newer 300e). It is one of the more expensive +r/rw's, but that's because it is external and is both firewire and usb2 in one case. Also the support on the phone is great. I had a problem and they simply sent me a new burner via ups no questions asked

[orbital517]

Come on guys! Don't credit Sony just because it's a Sony!

I agree with you there. Too many people just assumed that because it's a Sony, that it's the best out there. Or because it was the first dual format burner, that it's the best. I don't think that that theory is true at all. I found that Sony's 500 drive was not quite as good as everyone was praising about. If you read through these forums, you will notice quite a few problems with Sony drives (mainly burn speeds and media compatibility).

I'm not saying that it's a bad drive, but what I am saying is that it's not quite as good as people think it is.

[Philbiker]

I have a Panasonic SW-9571-CYY OEM drive and it's great. DVD-RAM is the best for data use. DVD-R serves my needs fine for DVD-Video authoring.

[glock20rocks]

I've got a Plextor PX-504A burner, and love it. Burned about 80+ discs (data+video), without any problems.

Plus it's fast and quite...

[SatStorm]

I own a teac 50W. It is a pioneer 105 with other label. I did a firmware change and now, I have a pioneer 105 with a Teak logo!

[malducci]

I have the SONY DRU500a - bought it for $146. I haven't had any coasters yet - tried 4 different formats and brands. I usually burn with 2x TDK ( $2per DVD @ cost). Although I have burnt quite a few compusa 1x DVD-Rs ($0.66 per DVD @ cost). I can't tell you about other sony drives, but mine is working like a charm. Oh yeah, I didn't by it for the name either as I usually don't care much for Sony product ( picked Hitachi HDTV or Sony HDTV ).

[joecav]

I got a sweet deal on a Cendyne (rebadged Pioneer A05) and it works great. I flashed the firmware to get it to burn faster and it worked like a charm. For $129 it was hard to say no to.

[Craig Tucker]

I have the Pioneer A04, I believe the A06 is due out soon with dual format capability.

[Denvers Dawgs]

HP 300i/no problems

[SLICK RICK]

SONY here.

SLICK RICK