External DVD writer recommendations?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MS
  • Start date Start date
M

MS

My computer is a notebook, with a CDRW-DVD combo drive built-in. (It can
read and write CDs, but can only read DVDs.)

I'm thinking of perhaps purchasing an external DVD writer for it, but I know
nothing about them. My notebook has both USB 2.0 and firewire connections.

What should I look for in purchasing one, besides price? I saw an ad for a
refurbished HP 300E for about $190, seems like a good price. I think it has
both USB 2 and Firewire connections.

I have recently read that there are three standards for DVD writing, DVD+,
DVD-. and DVD-RAM. That is very confusing. What is the difference between
these standards. Can a DVD burned with a recorder on one standard, be played
back with one on another standard? Do stand-alone DVD players that you
connect to the TV read all three kinds? Will the DVD-reading drive
built-into my notebook read DVDs burned with all three burner types, both
for movies and for data? For RW too? If not, how can I find out which kind
the internal drive will read?

Thank you for any tips on buying such a drive.
 
MS enlightened the world by saying on 27/07/2003 20:45:
My computer is a notebook, with a CDRW-DVD combo drive built-in. (It can
read and write CDs, but can only read DVDs.)

I'm thinking of perhaps purchasing an external DVD writer for it, but I know
nothing about them. My notebook has both USB 2.0 and firewire connections.

What should I look for in purchasing one, besides price? I saw an ad for a
refurbished HP 300E for about $190, seems like a good price. I think it has
both USB 2 and Firewire connections.

I have recently read that there are three standards for DVD writing, DVD+,
DVD-. and DVD-RAM. That is very confusing. What is the difference between
these standards. Can a DVD burned with a recorder on one standard, be played
back with one on another standard? Do stand-alone DVD players that you
connect to the TV read all three kinds? Will the DVD-reading drive
built-into my notebook read DVDs burned with all three burner types, both
for movies and for data? For RW too? If not, how can I find out which kind
the internal drive will read?
Click to expand...

1st the easy one, DVD-RAM does not play on most settop DVD players, so
should be ruled out (most writers include it as an additional format
anyway).

The DVD- vs DVD+ is a little more complicated. Both formats play in
MOST settop players, there is not 100% compatability with either
standard. DVD-R is the official standard, as sanctioned by DVDForum,
it has also been around the longest, and therefore works in a much wider
range of players. You can of course get writers that support several
standards, but you have to pay more.

Personally, I would buy a DVD-R/RW writer, as the media is cheaper, and
the compatability is better. The Pioneer A05 is a good buy, and can be
got very cheaply. Pioneer have recently launched the A06, which
supports DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW but is slightly more expensive.

Hope this sheds some light.
 
Back
Top