DVD Burner

Having seen the continuing fall in the prices of DVD burners I've decided I'd quite like to buy one. However. I know noooooothing. So a few questions:

1) Do most DVD burners also burn normal CDs (at decent speeds)? I have a shuttle, and so only one 5.25 bay, which is currently occupied by a CD burner.

2) Compatibility is less of an issue with the dual format DVD writers, but which type of media should I go for? Are both + and - capable of being played on a normal DVD player? Which is better?

The main reason I want a DVD burner is because I move my stuff backwards and forwards to uni several times a year, and I'm sick of my precious DVDs getting battered or being wrecked at uni. I think this is legal....if so, is it easy enough to make a backup?

Ta.

1. yes, normally 16/10 for CDR/RW

2. -R is more compatible

as duongnt said really.

-R will read on most DVD players, +R generally won't.

All DVD burners will burn CDs, it's just that some are quicker than others. The main reason I went for the DVD burner I bought (LiteOn 8x) is because it burns CDs at 40x, compared to most DVD burners which will only burn at 16x.

my mate bought a + dvd only as hes got a load of dell pcs, and his dell dvd rom drives only seem to read +r, so depends on whats more suitable for you i spose

I would personally wait for a month or two... DVD brners are still Toddlers (got past infancy), and th number of dual format burners at sub £100 are still fairly rare. 8x are better, and correct me if Im wrong (as I havent looked for a while), are in the majority >£100, so waiting is probably more sensible, Just as CD burners went from 4x @ £120, to 52x @ £40 in less than a year.

Wait and see till it gets in its maturity, along with the software, then go for it; unless you have cash to burn, or a real need for massive data backup

Please note, this is my opinion, and I am a poor student

BoB_DoG