Brand Names for DVD Burners

[Joey04]

I am about to purchase a new 16x Double Layer DVD Burner. I have had some frustrations with my old LiteOn 4x DVD Burner (https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=248382)

I am not sure if I can attribute the frustrations to the brand name, but what I have learned is I can get a good brand name (Sony, HP, Memorex) for around $100 to $130, or I can get a less known Brand name (MicroAdvantage, LiteOn, Emprex, Mad Dog) around $50 to $80 locally. I really don't care much about a drive being a little slower or a little faster... What I really care about is burning a DVD, and finding out later it didn't burn correctly (very frustrating.) I have no problem paying an extra $50 to $100 to get a DVD burner that wont drive me insane!!

Are any of the name brands worth paying extra for?

Thanks!

Joey

[Bodyslide]

Do a search on the forums for the Pioneer 108 and the NEC 3500, Both under 100.00. I have the Pioneer and have over 600 burns with DVD-R media and no coasters yet.

[dvdx_925]

What model is your liteon burner? If your model is the 451s, it is possible to upgrade it to the 832s, as simple as crossflashing your firmware.

Try this site ->http://club.cdfreaks.com/index.php? for discussion or

the direct link for downloading all the required tools -> http://codeguys.rpc1.org/index.html but i would recommend trying the first link to understand what you need to do.

Just hope that your burner is that model and so u don't have to fork more money out

[racer-x]

I don't care much for Brand Names. It seems that they're all built in China anyway. I recently bought an I/O Magic 16x that is really made by BTC for $40 after rebates. I have no complaints so far. Of course I updated to the latest firmware before I even burned my first disk with it.

My last burner was a Sony that was really a Ricoh. It's burned over a thousand perfect disks and Zero coasters.

The most important thing I look for in a burner is bitsetting capability.

[lordsmurf]

Brand names for drives are as worthless as brand names for media. Try to find out who MADE the drive. Much like media, there are ONLY A FEW drive makers. Everybody buys them, and then slaps their pretty company sticker on it.

For example, many MicroAdvantage dirves have been BTC in the past. As was Emprex, and the BTC brand too.

Cendyne used to have many Pioneer drives. As did Sony and Compaq and a couple other OEMs.

[Joey04]

BodySlide,

Is that by any chance the Pioneer DVR108? I found it for $78 (shipping included) at one of my favorite (most dependable) online sites. If that is it, I am getting it tomorrow!

cdk-au,

I have the LiteOn DVDRW LDW-411s. I bought it November 2003 from Best Buy, and I am ready to let my wife use it in her computer as a simple player! Is this one upgradable?

racer-x and lordsmurf,

Other than I might be paying about $50 too much, Is there any reason not to get the Pioneer 108? I have had so much frustration with DVD burners, and I want so bad to author and distribute these digital videos (my brother's wedding, my two childrens birthdays, family junk, etc.) that I want the peace of mind that I got the best player I can get, and right now I would gladly pay an extra $100 to make sure I had such a model. (Normally I am as cheap as can be, but I have had too much frustration and I want to make DVDs that work!)

Thanks All!

Joey

[lordsmurf]

Buy the Pioneer. You'll love it.
Pioneer is a brand AND the maker.

[Bodyslide]

That's the one I have, bought mine from www.newegg.com.

I use mine for doing VHS to DVD family movies as well. Hope all goes well.