Well I am looking to buy my own DVD Burner. I would like it to support dual format and also burn at 4x. I noticed that most of them burn cd-r's at 16x which isnt all that fast, but that is the least of my worrys. I would just like to have a quality dual burn 4x DVD burner that is realiable and stable. I don't want to spend over $200 for it though. Also I saw the dual-layerd dvd burner. I figure that will take a long time to get out so I figure that a 4.74GB dvd burner will do just fine. Thanks for any help!!!


-haryy

The Pioneer 106 would be your best bet. Lots of users here have them so it would be easy to get support should you need it. You can get one right now for $128 with free shipping and Recordnow DX software from www.avlogic.com You could also get the Sony DRU510A which is a pretty good writer for around $152.47 shipped from www.accupc.com Both are solid writers. BTW the difference between 16x and 52x CD Writing is only 3-4 minutes, so unless you are constantly burning CDs it wouldn't make any difference. Anyways it is still best to have a seperate CD Burner as using a DVD Burner to perform multiple functions isn't a good idea (wears out the drive quicker).

How about a Pioneer 106? Not much over $200 AUD, so they must be well under $200 USD.

Anyway, I'm moving this to CoOp.

Also as for dual layer, the DVD+ camp claim that some current 8X DVD+ burners may be able to handle dual layer media via a firmware upgrade, although many believe it is just another scam to keep the current drives selling. Like when they claimed that the DVD+RW only drives would handle DVD+R media via a firmware upgrade. This never happened.

Is it for a MAC or a PC?

Todays prices:
NEC ND1300A Dual DVD±R/W $108
Pioneer A06D Dual DVD±R/W $122
Sony DRU510 Dual DVD±R/W $145
(Right top corner of this page, click on the one you want: http://www.dvdrhelp.com/ )

Yeah but those are prices on the bare OEM versions of the drives and they don't include shipping or software in the cost. You've got to be careful with pricegrabber. They bunch the bare drives in with the retail versions.

What about Plextor's PX708UF (External) or A (internal)? Plextor has always been a very reliable, although slightly more expensive, brand which I have stuck with for many years now. Never had any problems! And IF there has been a minor issue, the Customer Service is outstanding!:tup:

Just got the LG 4040B and am very pleased with it. Despite some people saying it won't write at 4 speed I just bought some unbranded Riteks which wrote at 4 speed (16 minutes to burn a 4.3GB movie!). This also adds DVD RAM to the list of supported formats

what about this:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-154-003&depa=1

Not worth it as it is a + format only drive. I would gladly sacrifice 8x DVD+R capabilities so that I could have both - and + format writing abilities (That and the 4x DVD-R/4x DVD+R dual format 106 is cheaper). There is also no official 8x media that is out yet.

Originally posted by Laporta
What about Plextor's PX708UF (External) or A (internal)? Plextor has always been a very reliable, although slightly more expensive, brand which I have stuck with for many years now. Never had any problems! And IF there has been a minor issue, the Customer Service is outstanding!:tup:

The dual format Plextor is a great drive, however it does run about $100 more than the Pioneer or Sony drives.

So more then likely I will get a Pioneer. But which one should I get
Pioneer A06
Pioneer A06D
Pioneer 106
??
Also what about Sony?? From what I have seen there CD-R speeds are higher but I do have a different cd-burner already. So the cd-r part isnt really that important to me. I would just like it to be very good and reliable. Also it could be OEM since I already have all software and cable hook ups.


-haryy

The 106 is the OEM model. The A06 is the full retail model. The one I listed is the OEM but it still comes with a good piece of burning software. The D model would just be a newer version I would imagine. BTW I wouldn't bother with the Sony unless you are getting the retail model 510A. The OEMs have a weird deal with the firmware (unlike the Pioneers which are completely interchangable between the OEM and retail).

Hi there i found the A06D to be very good and much better than the 105

Hi

I would go for the Pioneer 106D ... OEM ... the software is easily available... for the money you save on the OEM this is by far the best drive out of the Pioneers.
We also find that this drive is best for different media types as the NEC, Sony, Liteon etc. are quite fussy over "cheaper" media.

Regards
Bri
www.digitalpromo.co.uk

I would recommend a Pioneer a06 as well. However, if you want a ram wrtier/player I would recommend the LG 4040B, which I'm going to get soon. It can be had for around $115 delivered. I plan on transfering my movies from my panny standalone recorder on ram to the pc. Heard lots of great things about the LG, but if you' re not interested in ram, then the A06 is the way to go.

I was wondering were is the cheapest place to get the 106D OEM and the a06?
Please let me know.


-haryy

Probably the best place that I can think of is www.avlogic.com ($122 shipped for the OEM) or www.accupc.com ($122+$5 shipping). Accupc does have a better overall customer rating at pricegrabber and has BBB Certification (Better Business Bureau).

If you wait for the day after Thanksgiving, lots are on sale. I see the Liteon is $89 after rebate at office depot that day.

Better get an early start if you want to get in on that though. ;)

the Pioneer would preobaly still be better then the liteon though wouldnt it? for $40 more?



-haryy

Yeah, the other thing to consider is that it is going to take you at least 6-8 weeks to get your rebate savings back. So initially you are going to be paying almost as much as the Pioneer. Also if thier DVD Burner is anything like my DVD-ROM drive then I would gladly pay the extra for the Pioneer (has trouble reading some discs that have only a couple minor scratches), that and they sound like a 747 coming in to land when they fire up. :laugh:

got a liteon 4x dual format just a couple weeks ago and couldn't be happier, it's burned every media i've thrown at it, without fuss..
150$ and it came with recordnow dx.

The Price of the Plextor 708a has dropped to $191(that is with shipping). Though this price is greater than other Burners, Plextor makes a Super product plus you get the 8x burning speed. The Better brands of 4x blank DVDs will burner at higher than listed speed,so even though no"true" 8x media is out you can burn at that speed or close to it.

look at this TDK one about 1/4 down the page http://edealsinfo.com/index.shtml
for $67.50 shipped


-haryy

It's + format only though. Also by the time you get all of those rebates back it will be some time next year. :laugh: BTW RonH the Plextor only supports 8x Writing to DVD+R and not DVD-R. Pioneer's new 107/A07 will support 8x writing to both formats.