New DVD Burner - what features are important

[mikesbytes]

I was thinking of getting a new DVD burner and was thinking, what is important to look for, eg;

- Multizone
- Does not prevent backup
- Burns on crap disks

[canadateck]

what is important to you?

[B2D327]

First and foremost, it should burn to both +R and -R media. 16x write is the top speed for single layer burners right now but if you can find an 8x at a good price it should be fast enough. Dual-layer capability would be the last feature you might look for as the blank media is still relatively expensive but will drop eventually. Most top brand dvd writers are pretty inexpensive too.
My recommendation is the NEC 3500 as it has all of the abovementioned features as well as both official and hacked support. I've had mine a few months now and it works beautifully.

[budz]

BENQ 1620 auto bitsetting for dvd+ media with official firmware from BENQ. they have firmware updates often. with firmware update the drive becomes 4x DUAL LAYER capability.

NEC i think uses hacked firmware to achieve bitsetting capabilities.

[mikesbytes]

what is important to you?

Hassle free computing. You put a disk in it and it works, for whatever you want it to do.

[canadateck]

Nothing is Hassle free

[canadateck]

I was thinking of getting a new DVD burner and was thinking, what is important to look for, eg;

- Multizone
- Does not prevent backup
- Burns on crap disks

- Multizone.......Every burner can be made Region Free.
- Does not prevent backup......None do.
- Burns on crap disks.No burner will burn every kind of disc/DVDr. Some are better at Princos,If thats what you mean by crap.

[mikesbytes]

Nothing is Hassle free

Thats why I have taken so long to get a DVD burner. My CD burner is Hassle free, it would be nice to have the same in a DVD burner.

[bugster]

Nothing is Hassle free

Thats why I have taken so long to get a DVD burner. My CD burner is Hassle free, it would be nice to have the same in a DVD burner.

The Pioneer drives seem to have some of the best media/burning compatibility.

[reboot]

Dig up an older original Lite-on 451s. Upgrade the firmware to 832s. You now have a +-R/RW/CDR/RW burner that will write +R at 8x.
Even burns the no-name (shiny on both sides) bulk sleeve media, Princo included.
The only coaster's I've created are my own fault.

[mikesbytes]

The Pioneer drives seem to have some of the best media/burning compatibility.

I have seen a number of posts commeting on Pioneers ability to burn on cheap disks.

Dig up an older original Lite-on 451s. Upgrade the firmware to 832s. You now have a +-R/RW/CDR/RW burner that will write +R at 8x. Even burns the no-name (shiny on both sides) bulk sleeve media, Princo included.

Does this also apply to the newer Lite-on's ? I notice that the lastest one zips along, burns cd's at 48x and -R at 16x

Lite-on cd-burners were amongst the best.

Also sounds like DL is pretty much a waste of time at the moment, unless you like very expensive coasters.