buying a new DL dvd burner... suggestions please :)

[graysky]

I'm looking to upgrade my current 107-D to a drive with dual layer support. My main goal is for DVDr movie backup and data backup. I'd like to purchase a drive that has a firmware mod allowing me to use "slower" media @ faster speeds as I'm currently doing with my 107-D (ritek 2x media can burn @ 4x), except I'm interested in doing this on a DL disc (either a +R or -R it, it doesn't matter to me either way).

I've read the reviews section here but am still confused as to which drive/media combo will allow this. I've read good things about the newer plextor, nec, and pioneer drives that both support >6x DL+ and -R modes.

1. Which drive do you own
2. Which media are you using and are you burning faster than the media is rated and do the burns work in your standalnone DVD player?

Please comment and thanks!

[Bodysurf]

I'm looking to upgrade my current 107-D to a drive with dual layer support. My main goal is for DVDr movie backup and data backup. I'd like to purchase a drive that has a firmware mod allowing me to use "slower" media @ faster speeds as I'm currently doing with my 107-D (ritek 2x media can burn @ 4x).

I've read the reviews section here but am still confused as to which drive/media combo will allow this. I've read good things about the newer plextor, nec, and pioneer drives that both support >6x DL+ and -R modes.

As far as I know, the newest Pioneer drives don't have any non-official firmware being put out for them. Gradius and Nil stopped doing them a while ago.

I would go to the RPC1 Forum and check to see what drives have the firmware feaures you are insterested in. I'd probably check out the NECs and BenQs first.

With 16X blanks being as relatively cheap as they are, I personally have ZERO use for burning (slower) media faster than its rated speed.

1. Which drive do you own?
2. Which media are you using?

1. Pioneer DVR A05, A07 and A09s.
2. Currently using 16X Verbatim White InkJet Printable DVD-Rs and they work well.

are you burning faster than the media is rated and do the burns work in your standalnone DVD player?

No and Yes.

[Denvers Dawgs]

The Benq 1640 sounds like what you want with the Solid burn and over speed features. http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/226/9

With these programs it could be possible to get 16x on all media.

Manufacturer:
Ritek using Ricoh technology.
Code:RICOHJPNR01
Disc Type:DVD+R
Capacity: 4483MB
Certified Speed:4x
Actual Speed Written at:12x
Write Time:6m:36s
PI-8 errors Average/Sec: 1.68
PI-8 uncorrectable errors(PO) Avg/Sec: 0.05


Just for fun we(cdfreaks) tried a 4x disc with RICOHJPNR01 dye as well, and it worked fine at 12x. We think that even 16x may be possible with this media, if you have media from a perfect quality batch. Oh well, a 200% overspeed is still not bad.

[graysky]

Thanks for the info guys... I should have mentioned that I'm looking for DL discs for data/movies... any experience there (edited original post)?

[handyguy]

Sure, but all your answers are found in our comment section which is right on your left column.

[budz]

Thanks for the info guys... I should have mentioned that I'm looking for DL discs for data/movies... any experience there (edited original post)?

Check out the BENQ FORUM at Cdfreaks.com they have a thread on DL discs using the BENQ 1640 drive. As already mentioned by Denver Dawgs the 1640 has many features to use such as solid burn and overspeed features. Newegg carries the 1640 for $40.99. BENQ has frequent official firmware upgrades to keep up with the newer dvd media. In my opinion it's the best DVD burner on the market at the time.

[Bodysurf]

Thanks for the info guys... I should have mentioned that I'm looking for DL discs for data/movies... any experience there (edited original post)?

Verbatim (MKM) is pretty much the ONLY high-quality DVD+R DL media out there.

I'm not a big fan of DL media (too expensive and too incompatible in 10/2005), but if I had to have recordable DL media, I'd probably stick with DVD+R DL media because it has just been out for longer.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I will just say that I use only Verbatim MKM +DL media for dual layer stuff. They may be more expensive but you get what you pay for. There are sales and rebates out there every now and then for the verbatim DL. I found 3pks of the Verbatim +DL for $5 at staples abot 3weeks ago. they usually go for $15-20. So if your in no rush to buy DL media, just wait around and check this site as well as cdfreaks bargain basement forum thread and I'm sure you'll find some more deals in the future.

[graysky]

Thanks for the replies... I bought a 1640 and a 10 pack of Verbatiums DL+R 6X discs. We'll see how it goes!

[Denvers Dawgs]

Good too hear. With that burner and those quality discs you should not have any problems....