Choosing a DVD Burner

[Richard Alexander]

I'm looking for a DVD burner for my new Athlon XP 2200+ machine. I
want it to be reliable, fast and inexpensive. I might use it for
semi-professional purposes, for sending off originals of my own work
to duplication facilities.

Creative is releasing an internal 8x +/-RW DVD burner in January (no
model number that I have found). Outpost.com offers it for sale now,
for about $180. It appears to be based closely on the BTC drive of the
same description. It comes with Nero Burning Rom version 6. I'm
wondering if the drive is any good, and if the software is the
shareware version?

Fry's is selling a 4x +/-RW DVD burner for about $180, though it comes
with a $30 rebate. The DRU510A comes with VERITAS, CyberLink
(PowerDVD), Sonic Solutions and MUSICMATCH software.

I understand (from a friend who does a lot of DVD burning) that 4x DVD
media is somewhat pricey, but 8x media is nearly impossible to find.
At the same time, it takes (according to the adverts) about 10 minutes
for an 8x to burn an entire DVD. I am not enthused about spending a
half-hour or more burning a single disk.

I'm also looking for a reliable dealer, in the event that I buy from
someplace other than Fry's.

Any suggestions?

 

[Rod Speed]

You should really be posting this in one of the
newsgroups dedicated to DVD drives. You may
have done that, groups.google is a bit slow. If you
have, its better crosspost than post seperately.

I'm looking for a DVD burner for my new Athlon XP 2200+
machine. I want it to be reliable, fast and inexpensive. I
might use it for semi-professional purposes, for sending
off originals of my own work to duplication facilities.

I personally stick to the pioneers currenty. Less risk.

Creative is releasing an internal 8x +/-RW DVD burner in January
(no model number that I have found). Outpost.com offers it for
sale now, for about $180. It appears to be based closely on the
BTC drive of the same description. It comes with Nero Burning
Rom version 6. I'm wondering if the drive is any good,

I doubt anyone knows.

and if the software is the shareware version?

What ? Its likely to be specific to the particular drive its
supplied with at least as far as installs are concerned.

Fry's is selling a 4x +/-RW DVD burner for about $180, though it
comes with a $30 rebate. The DRU510A comes with VERITAS,
CyberLink (PowerDVD), Sonic Solutions and MUSICMATCH software.

Some have had problems with that, particularly with DVD- media.

I understand (from a friend who does a lot of DVD burning) that 4x DVD
media is somewhat pricey, but 8x media is nearly impossible to find.

The important thing when buying a burner isnt what
media is currently available, its what will happen
with that over the time you keep using the drive.

At the same time, it takes (according to the adverts) about
10 minutes for an 8x to burn an entire DVD. I am not enthused
about spending a half-hour or more burning a single disk.

But might be prepared to tolerate that until the media
prices are more reasonable with the faster media.

I'm also looking for a reliable dealer, in the event
that I buy from someplace other than Fry's.

Any suggestions?

Get a pioneer. Wait for the A07
http://www.dvdrwhelp.com/

 

[S.Heenan]

I'm looking for a DVD burner for my new Athlon XP 2200+ machine. I
want it to be reliable, fast and inexpensive. I might use it for
semi-professional purposes, for sending off originals of my own work
to duplication facilities.

Creative is releasing an internal 8x +/-RW DVD burner in January (no
model number that I have found). Outpost.com offers it for sale now,
for about $180. It appears to be based closely on the BTC drive of the
same description. It comes with Nero Burning Rom version 6. I'm
wondering if the drive is any good, and if the software is the
shareware version?

Fry's is selling a 4x +/-RW DVD burner for about $180, though it comes
with a $30 rebate. The DRU510A comes with VERITAS, CyberLink
(PowerDVD), Sonic Solutions and MUSICMATCH software.

I understand (from a friend who does a lot of DVD burning) that 4x DVD
media is somewhat pricey, but 8x media is nearly impossible to find.
At the same time, it takes (according to the adverts) about 10 minutes
for an 8x to burn an entire DVD. I am not enthused about spending a
half-hour or more burning a single disk.

I'm also looking for a reliable dealer, in the event that I buy from
someplace other than Fry's.

Any suggestions?

Plextor has the 8x Model# PX-708A/SW-BL at Newegg.com for $199US. For
$147US is the 8x Lite On Model# LDW-811S BLK. Lastly, is the good quality 4x
Pioneer Model# DVR-A06USPK4 for $144US.