Need advice on DVD burners

[jmoore2001]

I'm planning on purchasing a DVD burner in the next few months, and I haven't been keeping up lately on them. The lastest information I remember was that there were two really good ones that were multicompatible with dvd-r/rw and dvd+r/rw (I think they were a Sony and Plextor).

So are there any better ones out on the market right now or are those still the best ones?

Basically I'm going to be using it for backing up files, but more importantly for making original copies of DVD's (that I already own of course). I want to be able to make an exact duplicate. I also would like it to be VERY compatible with other DVD players.

Thanks for the help guys.

[bfcx]

Almost every new dvd burner out is DVD+-RW (can burn both). you can get 8x +-RW for 80 bux at newegg usually w/o rebates. I guess in my experiance +r is combatible with everything I use, Just cheap media makes poor quality backups.

And you wont be able to make exact duplicates of 99% of the DVD's you have since they will be DVD-9's(~9gb) and Burners can only burn DVD-5's(4.7gb). So you will have to transcode the DVD with something like DVDShrink to get the bigger original to fit on a smaller writable.

I have a NEC 4x +RW and it works fine, just doesnt burn to cheap +r's very well.

One more thing, Dual layer DVD writers will be out this summer but may cost a lot, they will be able to burn DVD-9's but since they are so new the burners and media will be expencive.

[paul9]

the sony is well respected, but panasonic and others have good priced dual format burners out there. try looking places such as www.dvdhelp.com for more specialised info, reviews by users and possible trouble brands/models.

[jmoore2001]

thanks a lot for the info

[jmoore2001]

ok here's a bump.

Any DVD burners that really stand out right now and are getting hot?

[osprey4]

VideoHelp is a great resource for reviews of DVD writers. Since the 8x burners are pretty cheap, there's no reason to go with a 4x burner. Among 8x burners, the best rated dual burn writers, i.e., ±R/RW, would be TDK IndiDVD 880N, the NEC 2500A (under $90 at Newegg), and the Pioneer DVR-A07/107. I have two Pioneers, the 107 and the 106, and have never burned a coaster on either one. Great compatibility with media and DVD players.

[phenious]

I have had great luck with my Pioneer AO6 4X Dual format burner and it normally ranks fairly high in revies. Its older brothers I think the AO7 is basically the same drive just faster. Sony and another company will be releasing a dual layer DVD burner in the next few months and I would recomend waiting for it.

-: phenious :-

[osprey4]

Phenious, what the price tag expected to be on the dual-layer burners?