Which CD-RW writer to buy?

[drandles]

I am looking for simplicity. I have successfully created VCD's on an HP-9100 CD writer and on an HP-8200 CD writer. When I try creating a VCD on my LiteOn writer the resulting disks can be read by a DVD ROM drive in a computer but not by either of my standalone DVD players.

I capture the videos with an ATI TV Wonder card into .MPG (Video CD) format.

I then burn a VCD with EasyCD Creator 5 Platinum on either an HP 8200 or an HP 9100 writer on Verbatim CD-RW disks for my Sony 860 changer and on CD-R disks for my Sony 300 DVD player. The resulting videos are of reasonably good video quality and the audio is great.

I need to buy a CD writer for a new computer I am putting together.

This weekend I purchased an HP CD16i from Circuit City. It had some funky propriety HP software and would not work with EasyCD Creator so I took it back.

I am curious as to why the LiteOn will not burn a VCD that will be read by my DVD players. I need a new CD writer that will do the job. I would have gone to Sam's club and bought an HP 8100,8200, 9100, etc. , but they don't seem to have the HP's anymore. I don't even care if they were only 8x speed. I just wanted reliable writing.

I am presuming here that the problem I am experiencing is with the Liteon writer.

NewEgg.com has Plextor's CD writers - will they write a successful VCD? a successfull VCD that will be read by my Sonys?




Dale

[Benderchuk]

I have Liteon and it makes perfect VCD's and SVCDs and whatever. Never had a problem. Try upgrading firmware at http://www.liteonit.com I use Nero to burn the CD's, works fine.

[nittany]

You didn't use a different brand of media with the Lite-On as opposed to the HPs, did you? Usually the problem with a DVD player reading the VCD deals more with the type of player and the media than the writer (I believe). Sony's are usually very poor DVD players when it comes to CDRs and CDRWs compared to others. Supposedly (from what I heard), Sony deliberately cheapened their players by removing the dual laser. This helped them reduce their cost so that they can sell their players at a cheaper price. I just bought the new Plextor 24x. I haven't used it to burn any VCDs or SVCDs yet, but it is a great writer from what I have seen so far. There are only 3 writers (I think) that have full low level capabilities for writing anything, these are Plextor 2410, Lite-On 24x, and a Teac 24x. If you want to see the low-level capabilities of the writers out there, check out: http://www.elby.org/CloneCD/english/cdr_p.htm

Hope this helps, at least a little.

[drandles]

Benderchuck,

Which DVD player are you playing your VCD's on?

nittany,

I am using Verbatim disks. I got fuzzies (technical term) and audio splashes (another technical term) when I used inferior brands of disks. Interesting bit about dual lasers on Sony's.

I am looking for an HP CDRW writer that is compatible with EasyCD creator 5 platinum. Thanks,



Dale

[Sefy]

Here you go, maybe this will help solve your CDRW dilema
http://www.vcdhelp.com/cdrewriterscomparison.htm

[drandles]

I updated my firmware on the LiteOn CD writer at home. It still makes VCD's that my Sony 860 will not read.



Dale

[zzyzzx]

I just bought a Plextor to replace my crappy Philips 804K one that's only a few months old. How do you know if yout DVD player even likes CD-R's or VCD's?

[d4n13l]

Make sure that you get a decent CDRW, Ie. One that is supported by CloneCD and can write in RAW mode.

[drandles]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-12-19 12:22:17, zzyzzx wrote:
How do you know if yout DVD player even likes CD-R's or VCD's?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

zzyzzx,

The DVD Players compatibility list to the left will tell you what your DVD player will do. Beware it is almost 2MB and takes a while to load.




Dale

[loudanddeep]

I bought the light on from egghead.
Works great!

I have already made overburns with it on compusa 99 min media.

My dvd player reads it fine.

dp

[rqtball]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-12-17 16:42:33, Sefy wrote:
Here you go, maybe this will help solve your CDRW dilema
http://www.vcdhelp.com/cdrewriterscomparison.htm

</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Hi Sefy,

I was looking through the list and I didnt see the one that I am getting for xmas..its a buslink 24x cd recorder that goes through a firewire port....it looked great when I picked it out....do you know anyone that has any info on this one?

thanks!
scott

[thecalip]

lite-on cdrw is great. haven't have a coaster yet, burn over 300+ cd just this semester along. And on certain days, burn over 10+ at once, no problem.

and my apex 703 read all the cd burned from my cdr. all kinds of brand.

[Sefy]

drandles, can't blame the CDRW, blame your Sony, it won't read a CDR even if you jammed one down it's throat

rqtball, unfortunatly my list only covers Internal IDE drives, cause they are the most cost effective, I don't really trust external drives, and convering ALL the drives is gonna kill me

[drandles]

Sefy,

The Sony860 will read a Verbatim CDRW disk (VCD) burned on an HP 7100 (or HP9100)writer (at work) using EasyCD Creator 5 platinum. Works just fine.

So I am looking to either find an HP CD writer for home use that'll work with EasyCD creator or I will try Nero with an appropriate burner.

There are only a few 200-300 disk DVD changers out there. The Sony reads the above disks just fine. I just want to be able to create the disks at home. There seems to be a difference between HP CD writers made for business purposes and those created for home use. They even have a different web page at HP for home an business writers.

The Sony860 may be picky, but If I create a disk that'll work with my Sony, it ought to work with just about any DVD player.

Any insite would be appreciated.



Dale

[Sefy]

Hi Dale,

Isn't it rather a waste of expensive media ? CDRW aren't that cheap, and because you have a "picky" SONY, you can't use CDRs.

As for Burner, don't get HP, crap burner, and crap support, get the Lite-On! best and cheapest currently in the market!

[drandles]

Sefy,

I don't consider CDRW disks expensive anymore. When I purchased my first burner (a Memorex1622) the CDRW disks were $15.00 each. I now have a LiteOn 12101B writer at home. I downloaded the trial version of Nero 5.5+ yesterday. I will try that with the LiteOn.

I purchased my first DVD player over 3 years ago. Shortly thereafter I bought a 5.1 surround sound system then a 200 disks CD changer. At the time I bought the CD changer my thouhgt was that I really wanted a 200 disk DVD player rather than a 200 disk CD player - but they didn't even have them on the market at the time. I waited for the DVD changers to come out. Then I waited for the price of the DVD changers to come down. Now I have one - a Sony860. So now I need to be able to make CDRW disks at home on my LiteOn - or buy another CD burner that'll do the job. I haven't been looking at DVD changers lately. There may be cheaper ones out there - I got my 300 disks DVD changer for $399. This means I have all my DVD's and VCD's at my fingertips -with the touch of the remote. So I'm not interested in another DVD player that'll play CD-R disks. The Sony works fine with CDRW disks created using Verbatim disks (<$1 each at Sam's) written on an HP writer using EasyCD Creator 5.

So a crappy DVD player, crappy software, crappy burner, but..... I sit on my butt in front of the TV and can bring up with a touch of the buttons any DVD or VCD that I own. - pretty much NOT crappy.

I am still interested in any feedback that'll get me closer to my goal. Thanks for your input.



Dale

[Sefy]

Well, I wish CDRW's were cheap here, not to mention I wish they had those nice new High Speed CDRW, so I don't have to burn at 4x, man that is annoying!

Now, regarding your burner, first, get a Firmware upgrade!
secondly, Lite-On drives are pretty great, as far as I know even the 12x supports 90/99min media.
Lastly, if there is a problem, it's not the Lite-On, it might be incomaptible CDR/CDRW media and your DVD Player, all the drive does is burn them, it's the software that makes it a good and compatible movie

[baynguyen]

The problem is in your DVD player it is not compatible with CDRW.
Do not try to change your CD burner and software it will not solve the problem
Have you burned VCD disk play in other DVD of your friends or relatives.
Some DVD players do not work well with CVD/SCVD made from CDRW.

SURE WORK SOLUTION:

APEX DVD
PLEXTOR CDRW burner
NERO BURNING software

My setup work everytime even with cheap CDR disk from Fry's on sale at $7.99 50-disk/pack

[drandles]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-12-21 14:08:15, baynguyen wrote:
The problem is in your DVD player it is not compatible with CDRW.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

According to the DVD compatibility list (on the left) my DVD player ONLY works with CDRW disks - this has also been my direct experience. For the LAST time I will say, "I have been successful in creating VCD's on Verbatim CD-RW disks using an HP9100 CD writer (at work) with Easy CD Creator 5 Platinum" These VCD disks DO work in my Sony860 300 disk DVD player. Period!!

Now I also want to be able to make a VCD on my LiteOn 12101B writer at home. I am going to try Nero tonight!!

I would buy a Plextor if I knew for a fact that it would create a CDRW disk that would work in the Sony860!.

Thanks for your input.



Dale

[drandles]

YEEEAAAAHHHH!! The Nero Burning ROM (software) worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I burned a CDRW disk on my LiteOn 12101B writer using Nero. The resulting disk (VCD) plays on my Sony860 changer!!!! s u c c e s s !!!!!



Dale