Author Topic: Can you recommend a DVD burner? (Read 348 times)

beet1e · « **on:** August 07, 2003, 08:15:28 AM »

I'd like to acquire a DVD burner, whose main purpose will be to allow be to make image backups of my hard drives. Can you recommend one?

My preferences would be for a well known make like HP or TDK, and I would rather get one whose manufacturer also supplies the software - ie. not third party software. (fell into that trap with a Creative CD burner, and had to replace it when the software was no longer supported) I want it to be an IDE internal one.

Eagler · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2003, 08:57:26 AM »

Plextor

and I use the Nero cd/dvd buring software - easy & works great

Pfunk · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2003, 11:08:26 AM »

Do not pigeon hole yourself by getting a drive with only one format. That plextor for $250 only does +R/+RW. The reason you want a drive that is multi format is b/c often times you can find better deals on one format of the media. For example Best Buy has DVD-R on sale this week for a great deal but the DVD+R is much more $$$. Also depending on what standalone DVD player you are using there could be incompatibility with either format. +R might not work but -R will or +RW wont but -RW will. There is an on going battle as to which format will become the standard and also as to which one is better. SO in order to cover your bases it is in your best interest to buy a dual format drive.

The best drive out there right now is the Pioneer DVR-A06

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2003, 11:20:25 AM »

The Sony DRU-510 is very much worth looking at. Burn and read anything remotely looking like a silver disk.

beet1e · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2003, 11:49:30 AM »

Thanks guys.

Skuzzy, that Sony is £227 here (equates to $366) from http://www.scan.co.uk . Does that sound right to you? Are the prices about to tumble?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2003, 12:09:08 PM »

Seems a bit high. check Sony's online WEB store. I think they had it at $309 U.S.

Pfunk · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2003, 12:33:19 PM »

the pioneer does everything the sony does and it is cheaper. Go to http://www.dvdrhelp.com and check out the reviews for it. Sony tends to be picky on what media it will use whereas the Pioneer writes even on the cheapest of media.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2003, 01:02:30 PM »

I have the DRU-500 and have not found any problems with the media I use. Fujitsu, TDK, and Memorex all work fine. As a matter of fact, the only coasters came from Sony media. Go figure.

They all have quirks.

For data backups, the Sony works like a champ. The RecordNow DX software is really easy to use and allows you to create backup tables you can recall for redundant data dumps.

beet1e · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2003, 01:58:15 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Seems a bit high. check Sony's online WEB store. I think they had it at $309 U.S.

Skuzzy - does that $309 include tax? That £227/$366 in the UK is after tax has been added.