opinions on what to buy

[fyreboltx2]

well. i think its time i invested in a DVD burner.

i know the differences between the different type (dvd-r/rw, dvd+r/rw, dvd-ram)

but, i am not sure as to which burner or what kind is right for me.

well, here is what i plan on buying it for.

1. home made movies. with menus (animated if possible) and all that good stuff. this is anywhere from family vactions to that comedy i made for english class.

2. data storage (i only have 27 GB hdd... i need like 100GB but cant add any more to my system, i will have to remove my DVD-ROM to install the DVD burner).

3. DVD copies, but i dont know if this is illegal or not. i know that selling copied DVDs are illegal. but i want to make copies of my DVDs for my brother (whos in college, so he has his movies with him) and vise versa. it doesnt seem like it should be illegal (hes family, who lives far away) but i dont wanna take chances.

i think my 2 options are DVD-r/rw or DVD+r/rw. which one is better? i herd they were very similar but DVD+r/rw can continues burning a DVD (mulit-cession if you will) but DVD-r/rw cant.

i have been looking.. and i seems the new TDK indi-DVD is a good one.
http://www.tdk.com/dvdburners/indidvd4x.html

can any one offer any tips? thanks to all in advanced.

[HyperYagami]

i herd they were very similar but DVD+r/rw can continues burning a DVD (mulit-cession if you will) but DVD-r/rw cant.

for PC, you can multisession on both. however, you have to finalize it on - before putting it in a settop dvd player.

also for the RW disc, you can do quick-format/erase with + but not -.

however, (at least for now) + disc are more expensive than - disc (like twice as much).

check what your settop dvdplayer wants. you might not have that much of a choice between + and - anyway.

but i want to make copies of my DVDs for my brother

that IS illegal. no doubt.

[fyreboltx2]

thanks for the reply.

i have 3 players (2 apex, 1 panasonic) and all 3 accept - and + DVDs.

another question: which one has a higher compatability? say if i wanted to take a movies i put on a DVD disc to my friends house, which one would have a higher chance of compatability (+ or -)? or are they both equal.

i would guess that - has a higher compatability since its been around longer.

also, personally, which would you recommend? - or+?

thanks again for you help.

[HyperYagami]

the general consent is -. however there are always exceptions.

however, the recent dvd players seem to play just about everything.

I can't recommend either + or -...that's why I own a DRU500A.

[fyreboltx2]

well, now it looks like - is the better choice...

just a few more questions: if a dvd player can read +, is there a good chance itll read - too? just asking since + came out after - so maybe dvd player makers might take both into consideration...

thanks again for another reply.

[subclubkid]

[quote="HyperYagami"]

that IS illegal. no doubt.

Yeah man dont you use your dvd burner to make bootlegs. There are plenty of other uses for it, like.....playing cds, and ....beating small children over the head..and.. ah hell burn away buddy.

[fyreboltx2]

no doubt ill be tempted... but after seeing the price of dvd-rs... i think it would be better to just buy the movies on dvd.

[subclubkid]

I was joking

[soundforbjt]

$.60 to $2.00 U.S. per DVD-R is too expensive. Wait 2 or 3 months when Lite-On releases their 4x +R\-R burner for a retail price of $199.00 U.S. They have great support (firmware releases) on their cd burners which are one of the best and least expensive. So why should they be any different with their DVD burner, Just my opinion.....

[fyreboltx2]

wait, so i cant handle both formats?

this is most interesting... but how good will it be? i mean, it seems like a simple enough idea, so why didnt others companies try it?

[HyperYagami]

$.60 to $2.00 U.S. per DVD-R is too expensive. Wait 2 or 3 months when Lite-On releases their 4x +R\-R burner for a retail price of $199.00 U.S. They have great support (firmware releases) on their cd burners which are one of the best and least expensive. So why should they be any different with their DVD burner, Just my opinion.....

Because of...lack of experience?

Exp in CD burner does not guarantee you an error-free 1st gen DVD burner product. It only helps. The 1st gen product is almost guaranteed to have problems and that goes for almost any company. I don't think the 1st gen lite-on products was as good as what they have now.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my lite-on burner to death, and love to see them join the DVD burner party. But to go and buy their 1st gen stuff just because they're lite-on is a little too risky. In that case I'd watch 1st and wait until the 3rd quarter. By then, Sony/NEC should be releasing their 2nd gen stuff with competitve prices.