Which 8X Writer

[garybob]

Some advice please:

Narrowed my choice doen to either the Optorite DD0401 or the Liteon 811S. Both are available for about £120 Retail in the UK. Any suggestions as to which is better? Any ideas on the software bundle for each, manufacturers websites aren't much use? Media compatability? Support?

Can't afford the Plextor, so that one is out.

Thanks for any advice

[lordsmurf]

Why 8x? I see no 8x media yet...

[tompika]

Why 8x? I see no 8x media yet...

Ask Nic where he got them.
http://www.netfarer.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=86&st=0&#entry366

[dcsos]

I don't believe you need to look for 8X media

the drives he mention burn at 8X on 4X media (PLUS ONLY)

when and if 8X media is introduced...we'll see If these burners are replaced with 8X drives!

[garybob]

I want 8X as I want the most up to date "out of date piece of hardware I can get"

To me it is worth paying £30-£40 extra for an 8X for future compatability, 4X burners are already out of date. Its only a matter of time before media becomes available, plus if you believe what you read they can burn some 4X media at 8X.

So can anyone give me an idea as to the better one, and software supplied.

Cheers

[Gazorgan]

What makes you think you can burn at 8x? A LOT of systems don't have the harddrive subsystem to burn at 10 MB/s plus speed. That's well withing UDMA speeds, but it's going to be a major challenge on a single fragmented harddrive system.

Media is the issue. Don't get excited about burning 4x media at 8x, you will have all the issues with burning 1x media at 2x (ie errors). 14 minute burns (4x) on real RITEKs at $1.17 each is pretty good. For a 8 minute burn (8x) on real RITEK 8x media, your going to be paying well over $2.00 for the next 6 months.

How many DVD's do you need to burn a day for that speed?????

[CloudBurst]

I don't know, this whole 8X thing seems to me to be a bit...ummm...overshadowed. If the 8X drives came out like 6 moths ago I would be like...yeah gotta get me one of dem der spanking new drives...but as of now the only thing that goes through my head is...why now and not wait for april...bad timing I guess

[SLICK RICK]

but as of now the only thing that goes through my head is...why now and not wait for april...bad timing I guess

Huh???????????

SLICK RICK

[RAAGAAman]

Why not go with a Philips 8X - Philips DVDR824P DVD+RW. This drive is more likely to have a FW upgrade to support Dual layer DVD+R.

RG

[dmagic1]

Just my input....

I have the plextor 708a and have burned the TDK 4x dvd+r at 8x with no playback problems. My picky XBOX with its Thompson drive is always my best dvd player test tool. My Pioneer and Sony dvd players have no problems with them either.

As for the ability to write at 8x...
I have a 1.4ghz two year old AMD system with 512mb of ram and two 80G WD 7200 HD on the same IDE cable. My burner shares its cable with a dvd-rom. During the entire burn process the buffer didn't move even 1%.

*edit*
Note that I do have 133 ide cables.

[Vanderlow]

They can write at 8x on certain 4x media its been documented at burning a full movie under 8 mins. I'd go with the Nutech 8x it uses a Philips chipset, but then I'd go with the Lite-on with the latest firmware.

[69Dartman]

The just released Norcent 840 is a plus or MINUS x 8 writer that appears to be LiteON burner as the pictures show Smart Burn all over the box and it looks like a Litey also. Can be found online for less then 170 and Best Buy will probably have it soon as they carry Norcent drives lately along with true LiteOns now. I have been on the fence about the Nutech, I want dual format and so far they haven't released a update that adds it yet and even if they do it might only be 4x. Also the dual layer is not garanteed although their web site does say they will be releasing one in the spring or so. It is the same chip set but it may require more then just a firmware tweak to work, but there is a good chance it MIGHT happen seeing how they are developing it with Phillips.

[Wolfmancatsup]

I have the Plextor 708 on its way to me - a question for you knowledgeable guys, then - this thread (and many articles) say that a fair bit of 4x media can be burned at 8x - fine, but some of these 8x drives also write rw media at 4x. Is there any 4x dvd+rw media, or is it still only 2.4x at the mo'?

Any folk in the UK could try this site for media, as they do tell you which 4x burn at 8x:-

http://www.blankdiscshop.co.uk

Wc

[dmagic1]

Yes there is 4x DVD+RW media.

[energy80s]

I didn't realise that x8 drives even existed. x4 media is still a rarity with x1 still doing the rounds in most places. I would be inclined to hold off for a year and wait for dual layer burning as that will be far more use than saving an extra few minutes per burn. I mean, how many DVDR's are you burning anyway at home! If it's business orientated, use a duplicator not a PC.

[spiderman2k1]

If I was you I owuld wait duel layer disc are coming very soon they say some 8X dirver with firmware update might burn the new disc but they do not know yet.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=PLEXTOR

If I was you I would wait a little longer

[Jester700]

But the first duals are supposed to only be 2.4x. I think I'd rather an 8x single than a 2.4x dual. An 8x dual, or even 4x? Yeah. But when will THOSE be out?

[spiderman2k1]

But the first duals are supposed to only be 2.4x. I think I'd rather an 8x single than a 2.4x dual. An 8x dual, or even 4x? Yeah. But when will THOSE be out?

8X burner might burn duel layer at 2.4 with firmware update's. SO when duel layer burner's come out they will burn single layer at 8X or faster