newbie needs help choosing a new dvd burner

[baxtermadux]

i got a nec dvd +rw burner right now. i really dont have a need for the RW, just the R. i want a dual layer burner. and i dont want to have to worry about the media not being compatable. cause i just purchased tome media and its not compatible even though the media is name brand. can someone reccomend a good burner for me that is under $60. there is a pioneer one that looks pretty good. but i dunno what brands are most reliable. cheaper is better.

[steveryan]

Get the Pioneer DVR-111L or DVR-111D, they are excellent drives.

[lordsmurf]

Pioneer

[budz]

BENQ 1650/1655 or PIONEER 111D as already suggested. The PIONEER 111L isn't available in the USA.

[baxtermadux]

thanks guys

[CrayonEater]

Get the firmware update that bitsets DVD+R though. Maybe one of the other folks know which one to get. That tiny little feature can create (or solve) big problems.

[mn072065]

BENQ 1650/1655. I believe they are the best.

[Slapstick]

Before buying a new burner try updating the firmware. I had to update my NEC's so they would recognize some new Fuji's (media code Ritek F1) that i recently bought. Link http://support.necam.com/optical/

If there isn't a newer firmware there try http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com/page/ Those are hacked firmware but I used the ones for 2500a and 2510 and it works just fine.

[sacajaweeda]

I've had good luck with older Sony drives, as well as LiteOn.

[usually_quiet]

A good burner, and up-to-date firmware are certainly essential for success, but having a well-known brand name on the package doesn’t guarantee that discs you bought are a quality product. (I don’t think you mentioned which brand.) They could be your problem, and it wouldn’t hurt to check them out before buying a new burner. I found the Blank DVD Media Quality Guide & FAQ to be very helpful.

I’ve settled on Verbatim as my brand of choice because it proved to be much more reliable than the others I tried and is often available at local stores for a reduced price. Lots of members here favor Taiyo Yuden, which I have no doubt are also good. I just haven’t tried them because they seem to be sold only through online retailers and I prefer to visit a brick-and-mortar store for most purchases.

[sacajaweeda]

I've been buying the 100ct spindles of Verbatim -R discs at Sams Club since forever. Every once in a while their stock changes to faster media, I believe they are up to 16x now. Not that it matters though. I always burn everything at 4x anyway. That's as fast as old faithful (my Sony) will go