DVD Burner suggestions?

I will be purchasing a DVD burner soon & I would appreciate any thoughts on what one would be the best buy. I'm very much into the LG products, as I've never had a problem with any of them, but I've read a few bad things about the latest dvd burners. I realize these could very well be user error, as we all know that 90% of computer problems are user created, but I'd still like to know what ya'll use & what your experiences have been.

Thnx in advance.

 

I use a Lite-On DVD/RW. It does everything. I forget the model, but its solid.

 

i believe this is the one i would get (also in white)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-952&depa=1

 

I'm using NEC model 2501A 8x +-R RW and Dual layer, Newegg had em for $78.oo including shipping avaible black or baige.
Rock solid, I've made about 50 DVD's, no coasters
I did lot of research on burners before I purchased.

Lite on is best known for CDrw
Many others have compatibility issues with various media, and compatibility with other player's.
When I did research the Nec 2501A was just came out, wasnt much info out there but the previous model 2500 had lot's it's solid DVD burner too!
The 2500 is 4X +-R RW and with firmware update makes it dual layer, I've seen it for $50.oo.

What ever ya get if ya burning movies, use premium media Verbatium/Ritek/Branded look for media containing AZO metal dye.
For data premium quality not so important.
I"ve been using 4X media, I'm getting 8X burn speed's with both -R & +R

Other things to consider CDRW speed's
Dual layer media is about $10.oo each, thank goodness for compression.

One of the best burning programs is Nero 6 Ultra.

 

That's the NEC 2510A, not 2501A.

Both the 2510A and 2500A both have been very popular for the price. (The 2500A doesn't support dual-layer DVDs, but is otherwise identical.) They're excellent for burning data CDs and for backing up most kinds of DVDs.

Lite-on drives have been most popular for creating DVDs to be used in DVD players. Lite-on has a utility that allows you to change the logical media type. Thus, a DVD player will see a DVD-R disc as a DVD-ROM disc.

Plextor's drives (namely, the 712A) are the most feature-packed drives and highest quality drives (and more expensive than the above). You can ignore the rated media speeds and burn at the drive's maximum speed (burn 24x CD's at 48X, for example) which works quite well, apparantly, and you can even vary the size of the pits and lands created on the CD surface so that you can increase the data density (and therefore capacity) of your discs. The only thing the Plextor drive lacks is the ability to remark media types (Plextor is a member of a consortium that prohibits that).

For budget use, data use only, or limited DVD movie use: NEC
For primary use burning movies: Lite-on
No budget, feature rich, rock solid: Plextor

 

Wait, can you burn CD's with just any DVD burner? Or does it need to specifically say that it does?

 

Most modern ones support everything except DVD-RAM.
Write: DVD±R, DVD±RW, CD-R, CD-RW
Read: DVD-ROM, DVD±R, DVD±RW, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM

But if they don't say it, then they don't do it. Older drives usually were limited to a few formats. If you want to know what a drive you have installed can do, then get Nero InfoTool or DVD Info Pro (not on MG?) to get a summary of your drive's features.

 

dvd-ram was basicaly the first dvd recording format. the dvd was inside a case that you put in a special dvd recorder. much like the first CD recordable media that was packaged inside a case. its basicaly like inserting a huge floppy disc, but inside was a dvd.

oh i also have the nec 2510 and its a great dvd burner.

 

Last I heard Blu-Ray was also supposed to be cartridged DVD format. I can smell the standard dying from here. Who's going to buy a DVD that can't be used in any way, shape, or form with any of my existing mundane technology? What if I want my Blu-Ray discs in a carrying case? To bad. Won't fit.

 

Wow thnx for all the comments. I have been looking at the LiteOn drives as well. The one at NewEgg for $85 ain't too bad at all. I"m basically wanting it for backups more than burning videos.

I had a bad experience with a Plextor cd-rw where the thing just died & the RMA process was a nightmare. Anyway I just research every potential purchase these days.

 

I also have the NEC ND-2510A and have no problems whatsoever. 2 thumbs up.