How important is Book Type setting?

[djcc]

Considering Benq 1620, NEC 3500, Pioneer 108, maybe the new Plextor 716 (if I win the lottery and can afford that one!). :P

Anyway, some of these have the ability to change the bit setting on +R media to DVD-ROM. This is appealing for compatability with potentially older generation players since some of the things I wish to do could be distributed to people whose equipment is unknown to me.

So the question - if such an ability exists (changing bit setting so burned disc appears to players as DVD-ROM), why wouldn't every burner just do this by default?

[victoriabears]

I use nero to burn and the latest verion offers this option, so may be its not the burner but the software?

[tdan]

Nope. It's the burner. That option is not available in Nero with, for example, my Pioneer 106.

[vcdlover]

Not on 107D either.


vcdlover

[victoriabears]

I have installed two lg burners, one 4082-b the other 4120-b, great burners, just my five cents worth.

[djcc]

It is definitely a burner issue - not something software can do to just any burner.

I'l take a WAG at this one on my own, at least with regards to Pioneer. I believe they are one of the original DVD-R supporters. Seems that DVD-R's major claim is that it is more compatible with older set-top players. To support book type setting to DVD-ROM using +R media would quickly diminish any value of -R media.

Again, that is my guess, at least with regard to Pioneer...

Sure would like an informed answer though. Seems to me if all burned DVD's could be made to appear as DVD-ROM, the entire compatability issue would go away.

[Capmaster]

Seems to me if all burned DVD's could be made to appear as DVD-ROM, the entire compatability issue would go away.

So you're saying that more standalone players can read DVD-ROM than DVD+R video discs?

[djcc]

So you're saying that more standalone players can read DVD-ROM than DVD+R video discs?

That was my understanding, but I'm no expert by any means - still trying to comprehend a small fraction of the information on this, and similar, sites. Hoping someone corrects me on this if incorrect.

[timmyp]

There are many, many, many threads on the subject of bitsetting. To summarize, it seems that bitsetting to DVD-ROM improves the compatibility for DVD+R's, especially in older players.

So, I would think that you would want to go ahead and ensure that you have that capability in the burner you are going to buy if you plan to use DVD+R's.

Just my 2 cents.....

[MOVIEGEEK]

I would get the BenQ 1622,cdrfreaks.com and extrememhz.com gave it high marks.It allows bitsetting(booktype) on DVD-5 and DVD-9...it's also a fast ripper and you can check for errors with Nero CD-DVD Speed.
If you have a Panasonic,Pioneer or Toshiba DVD player you have to use the DVD-ROM booktype on DVD+R.

[Heff]

I think the above poster meant the DW1620 as there is no DW1622 to my knowledge. I would aslo concur the BenQ DW1620 does DVD-ROM on + by default, it's the most compatible. If you have trouble deciding, just visit all the forums at cdfreaks.com (BenQ, NEC, Plextor) and see how many problem threads you see. I would say you'll find the BenQ the less bitching of all the forums. The DW1620 also overspeeds (12x, 16x) more 8x media then any of the others.

[budz]

moviegeek wrote:

If you have a Panasonic,Pioneer or Toshiba DVD player you have to use the DVD-ROM booktype on DVD+R.

Add JVC to that list. Their newer standalone dvd players only play back DVD-R. I guess JVC is now following in the footsteps of Panasonic since they are owned by them.

[soloredd]

Well, for some reason I've only been stuck on buying +R. I don't know why, probably because the first stack of blank DVDs I bought was Ritek +Rs (R03). What I found interesting is that when I first got my NEC 3500 drive 2 weeks ago, and I did a backup of Back to the Future, the thing would not play in my Sony standalone. This was with stock 2.16 FW. I checked a ton of websites, came on to cdrfreaks, and got me a custom FW (2.17). I had never heard of bitsetting, but with the FW also came a little tiny program (I think it was BitWrite or something) it allowed me to change the +R setting to DVD-ROM. I changed it, reburned the same VIDEO_TS files for BTTF, and it worked. I did try a -R disc that came with my drive, and that didn't work, by the way.

So for me, it's bitsetting and +Rs.

[StudeBarc]

And now you can even modify a Pioneer DVR-108 to default Bit-set +R discs (Single & Double Layer) to burn as ROM.

http://forums.speedlabs.org/index.php/topic,794.0.html

It's simply a freedom of choice arrangement, if you wish to use bit-set +R then you can, or use -R if that meets your needs.

Regards
Studebarc :P

[djcc]

Thanks all - seems crazy not to get a drive that supports it.