need DVD writer...

[VJ]

Hello,

After my Plextor CD-writer started giving issues (and it was only 4 years old... ) on the SCSI bus, I am now on the lookout for a replacement. Considering the pricedrop and the added benefits, I would prefer to go towards a DVD writer.

Main uses would be backup (this smells like DVD-RAM ), archiving (I'm in to digital photography), writing audio CDs (occasionally) and probabely later on writing DVD-video disks (is DVD-R / DVD-RW sufficiant for most stand-alone players ?).

I was thinking about this model:
Panasonic LF-D521U/E

Xortam posted about a new LG one

http://forums.murc.ws/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43497

but the fact that it doesn't support cartridged DVD-RAMs is putting me off slightly... Should it, or is it not that big a deal ?

To my knowledge, the Sony's support the +/- R/RW standards, but not DVD RAM.


Any comments ?

The system already contains a Toshiba SD-M 1612 DVD drive, which supports DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM (uncartridged), and the usual CD-variants...


Thanks,


Jörg

[VJ]

Oh, anybody know the difference between the
LG GMA-4020B http://www.lgeus.com/Product/CD/GMA4020b.asp
LG GMA-4040B http://www.lgeus.com/Product/CD/GSA_4040B.asp
(apart from design ?)

edit: found it: 4020 cannot write +r/rw media

The 4040 isn't available in Belgium, the 4020 is...


Jörg

[VJ]

Re: need DVD writer...

Any comments on this model:

Sony DRU510 A http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...buNF0&Dept=cpu ?

I will have to decide between:
Panasonic LF-D521E (no DVD+R/RW)
Sony DRU510 A (no DVD-RAM)
LG GMA-4040B (no cartriged DVD-RAM)


Jörg

[VJ]

Anybody have experience with the Sony ? It is the drive most easily obtainable here, at a promotion price of €299 ....


Jörg

[Nuno]

Hey, I can comment on the LG GMA-4020B, I got one yesterday

I highly recomend it. It´s not the fastest thing out there (far from it) and of course Sony may be better but this one costs half the price I got it for 199€, Sony DRU510A still retails for around 350-399€ around here.

It supports DVD-R/W and DVD-RAM. It´s does *read* DVD+R/W wich is a big plus. DVD-R/W disks are much cheaper and more compatible with DVD-ROM players than DVD+R/W, so if you can´t go with those "all-in-one" drives, DVD-R/W is the way, IMHO.

I don´t know about uncartrigded DVD-RAM disk being a problem. It came with an uncartridged DVD-RAM disk and it just works, I don´t know. FAT32 format it and you´ve got yourself a slooooow hard drive

Nero 6.0.0.11 works like a charm with it as well as DVD X Copy Xpress *cough* *cough*

It´s actually amazing when you first realize you have 4.7Gb to burn for 2€.

Here´s a review : http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=178

[VJ]

Hey, a new drive:

http://www.plextor.be/english/products/px708a.html

write:
8x DVD+R
4x DVD+RW
4x DVD-R
2x DVD-RW
40x CD-R
24x CD-RW

DVD+MRW (Mt. Rainier support)
DVD+VR (claim 100% compatibility with DVD-players)

read:
12x DVD ROM
40x CD-ROM


Jörg

[Flying dutchman]

I pay 2 Euros for DVD+R (Platinum) so media price alone is no argument for the "minus" drives.
My Toshiba SDM 1512 and 1712 DVDROM drives both read DVD+R and +RW absolutely fine, so I doubt that the SDM-1612 would be limited to -R and -RW.

But if you can get DVDRAM support also for 199 Eu, that's a bargain!

[Dr Mordrid]

The Panasonic SW-9571 DVD-R/RW/RAM drive is about $140 USD here and often with free shipping & a few disks. DVD-R blanks are about $.90 each at the local computer shows. Not a coaster yet.

Not DVD+, but IMO who cares?

Dr. Mordrid

[VJ]

Is DVD-RAM interesting for archiving (not talking about re-using the media) ?
I kind of think the media is too expensive to just put in a cabinet, esp. in comparison to CD's or simple DVD-R or DVD+R ?
(it is also quite hard to get by, here in Belgium)


Jörg

[Flying dutchman]

DVD-Ram is nice if you need fast random-access to the files (as on a hard disk).

Use DVDR or DVDRW for archiving.

DVDRW is said to be more resistant against aging and ultraviolet rays etc because of the phase-change technology used. I have also read that DVDRW quality improves after it has been written to several times, so it may be worthwhile to bulk erase them a couple of times before use.

[Dr Mordrid]

DVD-R/RAM is dominant DVD recorder format in US (70%). Much more durable in terms of erase cycles than RW formats. Finding it very useful here.

Dr. Mordrid

[Flying dutchman]

Admitted. But for archiving the media are a bit expensive!

[VJ]

Originally posted by Dr Mordrid
DVD-R/RAM is dominant DVD recorder format in US (70%). Much more durable in terms of erase cycles than RW formats.

I won't argue that, but when you don't need the re-writable aspect (and only intend to use DVDs for archiving), I would tend to agree with Flying Dutchman...

Jörg

[Laurie]

With cartridged DVD-RAM my dexterity-challenged accident-prone fingers never touch the disk.