How to select a good DVD writer

[Wai_Wai]

How to select a good DVD writer

Hi.

I would like to buy a DVD writer.

1) I have not many ideas how to pick a DVD writer.

When selecting a DVD writer, what aspects/specifications do I need to focus on?

Do you have any criteria when selecting your DVD writer?

By the way, this is my temporary criteria:

- support DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW; DVD+/-R (DL), DVD+/-RW (DL)

- stable (or longer warranty period)

- can read most discs correctly, even the lower-quality discs (eg data burnt on poor-quality discs, or discs burnt by poor CD/DVD writers)

- the noise factor is unimportant (unless it is too loud)

Info about my computer:

- my motherboard is A7N8X-X, only support up to 2*UDMA 133

- I have 2 HDDs and 1 CD-RW currently. I think the DVD-writer will replace the CD-RW.

- I use my DVD writers mainly for reading videos/audios, burning DVDs for videos/audios, and for file storage & data backups.

2)

Which brand or model will you suggest me buying?

And **most importantly**, why?

3) About DVD write types and writing speed:

.. a) For the write types, as far as I know, there are CAV, CLV, ZCLV, PCAV [any more?].

Are these factors important when choosing a DVD writer?

Which one should I prefer?

.. B) For writing speed, I'm not sure if speed is important.

Even if they support very high speed, is it unwise to burn at that high speed since it also increase the chance to spoil the DVD?

If so, what's the point of getting a very-high-speed DVD writer?

I'd just use the lower speed to burn a safe DVD.

What do you think?

4)

Maybe it's a stupid question.

But is it true all DVD-writers can read CD and VCD (Video CD)?

And is it true all DVD-writers support at least:

- CD-R

- CD-RW

- DVD+/-R

- DVD+/-RW

??

5) Better DVD media

Apart from dual-layer DVD, is there any better DVD media in the market now?

If so, what are they?

How good are they?

Should I buy a DVD writer which support these DVD media too?

Why?

Thanks so much for your answer.

[dirtwarrior]

I have a panasonic dvdr which has given me no trouble. Its dual layer dual format very nice