DVDs and DVD writers - fill me in please!

[RoGuE|SaBeR]

I'm considering the investment of a DVD writer.

Only problem is I really haven't got a clue about DVD writers or this whole + and - jive when it comes to discs!

Main reason is I was involved in the school play this year (acting and programme design) and a friend of mine is doing the video. He has decided to pull the school up a few years by making a dvd instead of a video so he needs a burner or two.

I've been thinking about a DVD writer for a while now and I figured this is a good reason to get one. Basically we'll need over 100 dvds made depending on demand so speed and relieability are key factors.

1) The actual writer. Which models fit the criteria and what price ranges do they fit into?

2) The discs. Are 8x discs really relieable enough to be making so many copies? How long does it take to burn a disc at 4x and 8x ?

3) Printing the discs. Slightly OT but what is the best method of getting labels onto discs? Stick on paper labels or printing directly to discs?

[Swafe]

106 is meant to be a good nice dual format compatible drive

8x? nah go with 4x, more reliable, and cheaper, you might as well go with a 4x writer (such as the 106) as 107's are coming out, and a load more 8x writers (btw 8x only do + media, - is still 4x) so go with a 106 or similar as with 8x coming to mainstream, 4x prices will be driven down relativly soon

stickers are easier and cheaper

[Lexeus]

Well my Plextor 108A (Best DVD writer available ) Is reliable enough , a very decent drive, and capable of 8x writing, even though I only 4x DVD's as ebuyer were out when I ordered, but it only takes about 8 minutes to write a whole 4.5 gig DVD at 4x

[Goldfinger_007]

to write to a blank dvd in 8 mins means that it is 8x (i have a 4x writer, and to write at 4x takes 15mins) - certain DVD+R 4x media work at 8x, eg. the Datasafe Ritek discs (white/silver design)

The Plextor is certainly a good drive, and have heard about excellent after sales support.

The Pioneer 106 is also a good drive, and can be bought relatively cheaply now.


I would strongly recommend you not to apply sticky labels to dvd media, as it has been shown to impede the playback (disc spinning a lot noisier, heat caused by the disc spinning for a long length of time causing the glue to 'fail' etc.)

Printing on to printable media is more effective - the Epson Photo 900 does a very good job, and is also an excellent general printer imo (PCWorld have been selling these printers on and off for between £75 and £100 over the last few months)

[Aaron]

Watch out for what DVDs DVD players will play.

I know for sure that my DVD player (Pioneer DV656) will play DVD-R discs. I haven't tried DVD+R discs yet.

I know for a fact that PS2s won't play ANY copied discs.

[royce]

Careful on what you buy too. I just got into this fad and blew $350USD on an external DVD Writer, and I bought 25 DVD-R's.... It doesnt burn DVD-R!!! It burns DVD+R. Sucks, so I gotta go out to radio shack and buy new ones or something...

[Saracen]

Originally posted by Swafeman
106 is meant to be a good nice dual format compatible drive

Agreed. I bought one a few weeks back for under £90, from my local high-street computer shop (a small local shop, not a chain).

Originally posted by Swafeman
8x? nah go with 4x, more reliable, and cheaper, you might as well go with a 4x writer (such as the 106) as 107's are coming out, and a load more 8x writers (btw 8x only do + media, - is still 4x) so go with a 106 or similar as with 8x coming to mainstream, 4x prices will be driven down relativly soon

Again, agreed. Now is the time to buy 4x drives, as prices have CRASHED - probably due to impending 8x launches.

Originally posted by Swafeman
stickers are easier and cheaper

I don't agree with that, though. Assuming you have a direct-to-disc capable printer, direct is both easier and cheaper than labels. Goldfinger is right about the labels causing problems too - not least if you don't get it EXACTLY centralised.

The Epson 900 does a superb job of DVD/CD printing, but is rather fiddly to align properly. The Epson 950 is better in terms of alignment, but you could also look at the new R300 or, if you afford it, the R800 (if it has launched yet - Epson told me February IIRC).

[RoGuE|SaBeR]

Interesting point about the dvd players and playback, kinda took that for granted.

New PS2s do have the capability to playback copied DVDs, but they only came on sale late october / early december IIRC. (Work in Game, they coincided with the silver PS2s)

Shall have to investigate further.

[Shad]

I've got an 8x Sony drive on order at Dabs, it's had good reviews so I thought I'd treat myself to the extra speed and longevity

There's a drive out there to suit most budgets, so shop around.

[Swafe]

Originally posted by Aaron
Watch out for what DVDs DVD players will play.

I know for sure that my DVD player (Pioneer DV656) will play DVD-R discs. I haven't tried DVD+R discs yet.

I know for a fact that PS2s won't play ANY copied discs.

i know my mate played a copied dvd on his ps2, and he hasnt got his ps2 chipped

also he got it near launch, wasnt one of these new ones which have better dvd+_r support, it was an old one original and played it

ive no idea what it was but it guess at dvd-r as there the most popular format (arnt they?)