Is "DOuble Layer" Safe now?

[bayaraa_us]

I guess Double Layer burning been around for couple of years now.
I wanted to buy double layer burner.

So from your experience is it stable piece of technology or do you get lot of coasters and incompatibility?
Would you recommend it for Home video archiving or should I keep my trusty old Sony single layer burner?

I just wanted to get one for the convenience of archiving 2 hours of home video recordings for each disc and maybe speed up the process of burning from 2X!

Also are the price for DL Disc cost same as 2 single layer Discs?

Thanks

[ROF]

Price of media is still rather expensive at $1 or more per disc, but the technology of the drives is much better. For the price, I'd recommend at a minimum a 4x DL Burner.

[greymalkin]

Where can I find DL dvd's for around $1 a peice??? All the ones I've found are about $5 a peice (and i'm not interested in buying 1,000 either! )

[jdizzy40]

What if What if? You are asking for the impossible answer. Do you realize how many different "Dual Layer" Burners there are for sale in the market and the different media brands, and not to count out the number of computers and different configurations? What may work for you may not work for someone else. As for as the price of media, where you live and where you buy will control that. Have you heard of "Google". Try it you might find it of some use. "Safe", its just like driving a car. Do the research and not a poll request please. And when all else fails, plunk your cash down and keep your receipt.

[bayaraa_us]

Ok soooorrryy...

I was trying to ask what people think generally about DL.

[jdizzy40]

Taken wrong. Think about what you are asking? It's way too general. Forums like these are not a chat room. Rather for folks looking for solutions to problems or methods to create video using software and procedures. Your best answer will be from your own experience. Go out and buy a DL Burner after maybe checking in the "DVD Writers" section to the left and the "DVD Media" section also to the left. Then maybe you will have a better idea of what you want to do.

[ROF]

Ok soooorrryy...

I was trying to ask what people think generally about DL.

It's great. I haven't made a coaster yet with dual layer. I've only burnt probably 100 or so discs, so I'm still in the infancy stages. My best advice would be to buy media that's on sale and buy in bulk. I don't know any place that sells them in 1,000 case lots, but you can find 100 packs.

[jg0001]

Best Buy had a sale last week for Maxell's DL discs (2.4x rated, but aren't they almost all only rated this?): 15 discs for $29.99 after instant rebate (i.e. no actual rebate to mail... you pay $30 for 15... $2 per disc)

Someone else has the same discs this week (I forget who), 25 pack for $50.

I have yet to find anything cheaper.

If you are looking for a dual layer burner, consider the new NEC 3540, it got a lot of good reviews versus even the best of the new crop and you can get the retail version of it for $45 at Newegg and others. (It does not come with much software, hence the cheapie price).

[bayaraa_us]

Thanks

Yeah, NEC driver is one of the ones i'm interested in. I will most likely buy it.

[ROF]

If you are looking for a dual layer burner, consider the new NEC 3540, it got a lot of good reviews versus even the best of the new crop and you can get the retail version of it for $45 at Newegg and others. (It does not come with much software, hence the cheapie price).

I can recommend the 3540. I've installed this burner in a few client machines. I don't have it installed on my machine(s) but look for the 3540a model. It comes with a better software package and latest firmware installed.

Click Here. - Reliable Company with Dirt Cheap Prices.

[greymalkin]

thanks jg0001.

jdizzy,
I know how to use google and i have searched around for DL media, so take the big chip off your shoulder. The poster asked a legitimate question because alot of posts on here have spoken about the poor compatibility with DL media. He didn't ask how to convert his stereo .wav into 5.1 ( ). Saying "just go buy something and see" is irresponsible and completely the opposite of what this site is about. If this site isn't for "poll requests" (a.k.a. - advise from those who know and have experience with hardware x or software y) then what is it for?
That was a very ignorant statement. So come back when you have something helpful to contribute.

[bayaraa_us]

Yes, i just noticed there's 3540 and 3540A version. I was going to ask but you asnwered it already.

thanks

[ROF]

If you don't have a good software package for burning, be careful of OEM Burners. The link I provided is to OEM burners which in 90% of the cases does not include software or mounting hardware (Screws and Cabling).

Some people think a hard drive or burner is a great deal till they realize it's just the drive with no IDE cable or screws. Fortunately, cabling is dirt cheap and screws can be bought by the pound at most hardware stores.

[lordsmurf]

I guess Double Layer burning been around for couple of years now.

You guess wrong.
DVD+R DL is barely a year old for all intents and purposes.

[bayaraa_us]

TO jdizzy40

I don't know what how you're feeling today. But don't visit this topic if it's not important to you. Some people find it informative ok?

Moderators, if you think this topic is useless. then please delete.

Sorry, I haven't visited this forum for a while. And I don't know what's been discussed and what's not.
By the way I know how to use Google too

[Joshua B]

Last week I picked up the DL DVD media 15 pack on sale at Best Buy. That was/is the best price I had seen for DL DVD media so far.

[jman98]

bayaraa_us - it is a valid question. Ignore those who think otherwise.
I have burned maybe 9 or 10 I think and had no coasters. I did have one disc that my Philips DVP-642 just refused to play, but it played fine on my PC, so I didn't worry about it.
Whether these discs will be good for long term storage or not is a very good question that no one has an answer for. No really seems to know yet if this technology will be OK for long term storage or not. I have to say that I probably would NOT use a dual-layer disc as my only copy of something I absolutely had to have, just in case it proves to be problematic over time.

[anbidan]

I'm only writting to say that I agree with greymalkin and jman98; I also think that you've made a perfectly valid question; as a matter of fact, I've read this post asking myself the very same question. Ah! I've forgot to say, I know Google also!

[ROF]

They say Burnt DVDs will last for decades, but in truth which DVDs have been around for decades and how many long term tests have been performed and under what conditions? Nobody knows because DVD is still an infant in the scheme of recordable media. No coasters here.

[alsyed]

i was always worried about the cost of dual layer media, and the absence of DL RW media so you were pretty much going blind with your dual layer compilations. I still haven't migrated to dual layer burner yet, but it quite possibly could be nearing sooner than I think, since my btc 8x single layer burner left dvd burning behind and only burns cd's, and I've just returned it..

But now that i see RW media appearing, i will definitely think about buying a dual layer one... (benq 1640 is the one i'm looking at) and then experiment a little... thats all you can really do as one person said

[Cunhambebe]

Sometimes I ask mysef if it's really worth buying a new DL burner. First because of the price of the media. I guess single layer discs still do a great job. Second, that with all the new technolgy that is about to be released soon, and with so many people stating that most major brands are not interested in DL discs exactly because of this new techonolgy - I don't think it would be a good idea to buy a new DL burner even with prices going down and down everyday. Am I wrong?

[ROF]

Depends on your situation. If you're happy with sL and your drive is functioning the way you want (speed/data stored) then no, an inveestment in a DL drive isn't worth it. If you are considering replacing an aging drive, then yes a DL Drive is worth it. They are usually either cheaper or the same price as SL Drives. It's up to you whether or not you choose to invest in them. as with almost all technology though, the longer you wait the cheaper your investment will be.

[jg0001]

If you don't need a ton of bundled software, a $40 NEC 3540a burner (OEM Newegg frequently has it at this price or near it) is a great buy. Certainly don't spend $100-$150 (or more) in a retail outlet getting a burner.

[ROF]

Yep! Tigerdirect has it for $42 with Nero.

[Cunhambebe]

If you are considering replacing an aging drive, then yes a DL Drive is worth it.

- I would agree here, IF my burner were old. Once I don't burn DVDs everyday and my one year old LG burner is working properly, I guess I wouldn't buy one DL not even for 10 bucks. lol

[bmiller]

Beware of media compatability.Ritek D01's are not very good for dvd movies.Memorex are ritek d01's.I have a 3540 with modified firmware and for now i will only use verbatim,or fujifilm if i can find any at a decent price.I've tried ritek unbranded and memorex and the only had about a 60% dvd player compatability.I did have an issue with record now deluxe but that has been solved with a newer px engine,and a newer firmware for the burner.I did have a verbatim with a bad section on the disc today.Cd speed indicated a failure area around the 2 gb mark.When playing the disc it had the jitters.
All in all DL burning is getting better,and the discs are slowly coming down in price.Dl discs at $1 a piece? buyer beware.