Should I buy?

[hdog]

I cant wait any longer, I am considering buying a Panasonic LF-D311 for $ 285, has anybody heard anything bad about this dvd-r/ram drive. I wish it was a dvd-r/rw drive but I will use the dvd-ram for back-up and the dvd-r for set-top viewing. Should I buy this drive or wait until the higher priced drives come down in price.


Thanks

[nemethmik]

I selected this unit a couple of weeks ago after evaluating Pioneer DVD-R/RW, Ricoh/Sony/HP DVD+RW and Panasonic LF-D311 DVD-RAM/R.
This unit is great, I use Apple DVD-R and Memorex DVD-RAM disks and all burning was perfect so far. Still, the new Pioneer DVR-104 for $355 http://www.hypermicro.com/store/cd-r_cd-rw.htm would be a better choice today. However, DVD-RAM support is built into Windows XP and Mac OS X and very easy to use, much easier than DVD-RW.
Besides, Hitachi and Panasonic is out with DVD camcorders that use DVD-RAM. There are a couple of standalone DVD-recorders from Panasonic, Samsung, Toshiba that uses DVD-RAM as well. There are also a handful of standalone DVD players from Panasonic and Toshiba that support DVD-RAM as well.
The only advantage of DVD-RW is that it is (supposedly) compatible with much more DVD-ROM and DVD-players than DVD-RAM.
I think I'll stay with Panasonic for a while or I'll buy a Pioneer DVR-104 as well. Both units support DVD-R, which far the most compatible technology.