What DVD discs to use?
29-09-2005, 07:04 PM
#1
What DVD discs to use?
I have never really burned any DVD's before - Mainly due to fact the old machine it was in had a 9.5GB HDD and a 670mhz Celeron chip 
Anyway, I just fitted the NEC ND-2500A drive into my new PC, details of which I found on NEC's site;
So what type of discs do you guys recommend I use should I want to burn a film (or porn ) onto DVD? There are so many fooking types of DVD's I dunno what to buy, lol...
Anyway, I just fitted the NEC ND-2500A drive into my new PC, details of which I found on NEC's site;
NEC have recently launched the latest in their DVD-RW range of products - the ND-2500 is and 8-in-1 combo-drive offering industry leading 8x write speeds to both -R and +R media. This drive offers users a maximum 12x DVD-ROM read speed combined with a maximum 40x CD-ROM speed with the added bonus of CD-RW speeds of 32x and Ultra-Speed CD-RW discs at 16x.
In addition this drive gives users:
DVD-R: 8x CLV DVD-RW: 4x CLV
DVD+R: 8x CLV DVD+RW: 4x CLV
CD-R: 32x CLV CD-RW: 16x CLV
In addition this drive gives users:
DVD-R: 8x CLV DVD-RW: 4x CLV
DVD+R: 8x CLV DVD+RW: 4x CLV
CD-R: 32x CLV CD-RW: 16x CLV
) onto DVD? There are so many fooking types of DVD's I dunno what to buy, lol...
01-10-2005, 12:37 AM
#3
But what type of disc? As in + or - really..... I dunno what all this "duel layer" crap is all about either. And then someone said there are "purple" discs, "gold", "silver", etc.... I ain't got a fooking clue.... Last one I used I think was a + disc, and IIRC it was a purply colour. Seemed to write to it okay.... But not sure what the best for my drive is....
01-10-2005, 02:14 PM
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Most websites you find online will say that DVD-R is the most widely compatible format, although to be perfectly honest, I've never had any compatibility problems with the 200+ DVD+R discs I've used...
Dual-layer basically means the disc has two layers with which to store/burn information onto, giving it almost twice the storage capacity (from 4.5GB to about 8.7GB), but you do need a DVD-drive that can actually support them to be able to use both layers.
Not really sure why there are so many variations of colours, but I've always used silver/titanium, and to my memory, I've not had to throw a disc away yet.
Dual-layer basically means the disc has two layers with which to store/burn information onto, giving it almost twice the storage capacity (from 4.5GB to about 8.7GB), but you do need a DVD-drive that can actually support them to be able to use both layers.
Not really sure why there are so many variations of colours, but I've always used silver/titanium, and to my memory, I've not had to throw a disc away yet.
02-10-2005, 06:11 PM
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What's the difference between + (plus), - (minus) and DVD-RAM format media?
Currently there are many writeable and rewriteable formats on the market and it can be confusing to the average consumer. These formats include:
* DVD-R
* DVD-RW
* +R
* +RW
* DVD-RAM
Almost all of the latest internal DVD writers now support the first four of these formats, and some of the latest support DVD-RAM recording also. The media you buy must suit your recorder's capabilities or it simply won't work.
DVD-R and DVD-RW (buy media in this format)
DVD-R and DVD-RW are both sanctioned formats of the DVD Forum, a consortium of companies involved in the development of DVD standards. Both formats generally use 4.7 GB discs.
DVD-R is a write-once recordable format which allows excellent compatibility with both standalone DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.
DVD-RW media uses rewriteable discs which are rated for more than 1000 rewrites in ideal situations. The majority of standalone DVD players will play video recorded on DVD-RW discs, but the compatibility is not as high as with DVD-R.
Current DVD-RW recorders also record to DVD-R. However, the reverse is not always true. Some of the older DVD-R recorders are not capable of writing to DVD-RW discs (although some may be able to read DVD-RW discs burned with other drives).
DVD-RAM (buy media in this format)
DVD-RAM is a format originally aimed primarily as a data solution, but it is now becoming popular as a video format used by some brands of standalone (non-PC) DVD recorders (e.g. Panasonic). Current drives use 4.7 GB discs (or double-sided 9.4 GB discs).
DVD-RAM discs are traditionally housed within cartridges which cannot be opened, so that the media is well-protected. Newer Type II and Type IV cartridges can be opened however, an important feature for those who wish to read these discs in DVD-RAM compatible DVD-ROM drives or standalone DVD players. In addition, some DVD-RAM discs are now sold without cartridges.
DVD-RAM is a sanctioned format of the DVD Forum. DVD-RAM is a very robust data storage solution, theoretically allowing greater than 100000 rewrites per disc. In addition to support of the usual DVD UDF formats, DVD-RAM also allows fully integrated OS-level random read/write access similar to a hard drive, in both Windows XP (with FAT32) and Mac OS X (with FAT32 or HFS+), as well as on-the-fly write verification. The main drawback of the DVD-RAM format is its limited read compatibility by DVD-ROM drives and standalone DVD players. DVD-RAM read support with these units is increasing however.
+R and +RW (buy media in this format)
These two formats are backed by the DVD+RW Alliance. While these formats are not sanctioned by the DVD Forum, several members of the DVD+RW Alliance are also members of the DVD Forum. Technically, “DVD” is not to be used in the names for these formats, since they are not approved by the DVD Forum. However, in reality, these discs are very similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW in design, usage, and compatibility.
+RW, like DVD-RW, is a rewriteable 4.7 GB format, and overall it has similar functionality to DVD-RW. One potential future advantage of the +RW format is the optional Mount Rainier drag-and-drop file access support (also known as +MRW) planned for future versions of Windows. However, current drives do not support Mount Rainier on +RW. The level of compatibility of +RW discs in standalone DVD players is similar to that of DVD-RW. The rewritability of +RW is also said to be similar to that of DVD-RW.
+R is a format that was introduced to consumers in early 2002. It must be noted, however, that first generation +RW recorders did not support +R recording, and in most cases cannot be upgraded to do so. If one wishes to have +R burning functionality, one must purchase a recent drive specifically designed to do so. +R discs currently are somewhat more expensive than DVD-R discs, but prices will likely drop with time. Compatibility of +R discs in standalone DVD players is similar to that of DVD-R.
So what hardware should I buy then? (buy hardware)
This is a very difficult question. The choice largely depends on one's usage environment and preferences.
DVD-RAM discs cannot be used in most standalone DVD players and DVD-ROM drives, and this has historically made this format less attractive for the average home user. However, the integrated OS-level drag-and-drop read/write data support of DVD-RAM makes it very attractive for some users, especially now that most current DVD-RAM burners also support DVD-R burning for video applications. DVD-RAM capable PC drives will also be ideal for those whom already own DVD-RAM based camcorders or standalone DVD-RAM recorders.
DVD-R/DVD-RW drives currently have the highest market penetration, both with PCs and Macs. As previously mentioned, DVD-R enjoys high compatibility with standalone DVD players. In addition, the low cost of DVD-RW is attractive to many for backup purposes (with the use of third party software and/or drivers). Furthermore, most standalone DVD players will read DVD-RW as well, although the compatibility rate is significantly lower than with DVD-R.
+R and +RW are beginning to gain market share, and these discs appear to have similar compatibility on standalone DVD players as compared to DVD-R are DVD-RW, respectively. Current functionality with these drives is similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW drives, both for data and for video applications.
Can I have it all?
As explained earlier, combinations of several of the formats are as standard with most modern drives. Pioneer's DVR-109 and the NEC ND-3500 are examples of writers that can burn to DVD-R, DVD-RW, +R and +RW.
Many of the newest range of drives expected to arrive in the Autumn of 2005 will, in addition, have the functionality to record to DVD-RAM discs as well. These have been nicknamed 'Superdrives' by some because they are truly multi-format writers. The LG GSA-4163B was the first such example and is already now available for under £30.
What about external DVD recorders?
Internal drives are cheaper but require you to open up the PC to fit them. There's an article on what's involved elsewhere in this knowledgebase. External drives are quicker to fit and involve less technical know-how. They are highly portable between machines.
Compatibility of external drives is not guaranteed with all software, however. Nero has support.
You can adapt an internal drive for use as an external drive by buying one of our USB2 or Firewire external drive housings. As well as being portable, this solution has the advantage that it needs no free space in the host computer.
Can I record DVDs on my laptop?
Yes! Many newer laptops that are available to buy these days include DVD burners as the primary optical drive. If this is not the case then to record DVD on a laptop one would need to use an external drive, connected to a Firewire or USB 2 port on the laptop. This port can be either built-in or on an add-in PCMCIA adapter card.
How do I decide which DVD media to buy?
Firstly, make sure you know whether you need DVD-R 'minus' format, DVD+R 'plus' format or DVD-RAM media.
See related article on identifying the format of your drive.
There are some first questions that narrow your choice down:
* Do you want discs in cases or bulk-wrapped without cases?
* Do you want a branded, plain or printable disc? Plain discs with a silver top are more prone to handling damage but easier to label. Discs advertised as printable are usually inkjet-printable with a suitable inkjet printer. Other types of disc printer usually prefer glossy-topped discs.
* Do you want a write-once DVDR disc or a re-writeable DVDRW disc that allows you to use over and over again?
First class media manufacturers, e.g. Taiyo Yuden, Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp (Verbatim), Ritek, CMC, Prodisc and TDK, make highly compatible and dependable discs suitable for backup and long term data retention.
The difference between discs often comes down to compatibility. The better the compatibility of a disc, the greater the chance that it will play in a given machine. This is particularly important if you want the disc to play in standalone DVD players. In the mid-price range, we find discs based on a Ritek, CMC or Prodisc dye to be good in terms of compatibility - FWS, Datasafe, Datawrite and Bulkpaq often use dyes from these manufacturers for their discs. Memorex and Maxell brands also make good choices.
We report the ADVDINFO or DVDInfo information in the website description for a lot of discs. This lets you learn the dye manufacturer (e.g. CMC, Ritek, Prodisc) to assess the results you might expect from a disc.
Sometimes cheaper discs have a slightly increased risk of burn failures but this is not always the case.
We have found that a general rule for buying discs is that 'you get what you pay for'. Brands such as Verbatim, TDK and Taiyo Yuden are renowned for the exceptional quality and reliability of discs that they produce and therefore you can expect to pay higher prices for these products.
If you want to experiment with a few different discs, look for one of our sample packs. This way, you can experiment with a choice of discs and then decide which is most suitable for you, without having to purchase a larger pack.
What are Double Layer DVDs and how do they work?
For several years, DVD movie buffs have appreciated the benefits of pre-recorded (pressed) double-layer DVD media. Double-layer DVD media enables movies of up to 4 hours (240 minutes) in length to be played without disc-swapping, and provides nearly twice the room on each disc for bonus features. However, until the development of double layer rewritable DVD drives and media in 2004, PC users could read, but could not create, double-layer discs.
It is interesting to note that the DL in DVD+R DL actually stands for Double Layer and not Dual-Layer, however the terms are often interchanged, and some media is advertised using both terms. The DVD+RW Alliance uses the Double Layer terminology to help prevent confusion with the fact that most DVD burners are also capable of reading and writing Dual Format (+ and -) media. Since the term Dual-Layer was originally used with pressed DVD-9 discs, it seems that many are maintaining the use of that terminology for pressed DVD-9 discs, while reserving the Double Layer designation for writable or rewritable discs. In the end, the only important thing to note is that for all intents and purposes the terms are identical, and are often used interchangeably.
How Dual-Layer DVD Media Works
Dual-layer DVD-Video media has been used for several years by the DVD movie industry. Dual-layer DVDs have a thin substrate layer between the first and second layers of DVD data. Single-sided dual-layer DVD-Video media is known as DVD-9. Note that DVD+R DL is also referred to as DVD+R9. It has a capacity of 8.5GB (slightly less than twice the 4.7GB capacity of standard DVD-5 media). It's also possible to have double-sided dual-layer DVD-Video media, known as DVD-18; some movie vendors use this technology to place widescreen (letterbox) and fullscreen (4:3 TV format) versions of a film on a single DVD. The user inserts the media into the DVD player or drive with the widescreen side up to view the film in its original format. By inserting the media with the fullscreen side up, the film can be viewed in its modified TV format. Almost all DVD set-top boxes and DVD-ROM drives except for possibly some very old models can read DVD-9 and DVD-18 media. Inside the drive, a single laser is refocused when switching between layers, accounting for a slight delay when moving from the top to the bottom layer.
Click here to view the range of Double Layer DVD's available from www.svp.co.uk
How Double Layer DVD Rewritable Drives Work
DVD+R DL discs use a single refocusable laser to writ1e both layers. The top layer (Layer 0; L0) is written first. The metal reflector used by L0 is semi-transparent, enabling the refocused laser to write to the second layer (Layer 1; L1). Because the L0 layer absorbs some of the laser's energy, only about half the laser power reaches the L1 layer.
Click here to view the range of Double Layer DVD writers available from www.svp.co.uk
Currently there are many writeable and rewriteable formats on the market and it can be confusing to the average consumer. These formats include:
* DVD-R
* DVD-RW
* +R
* +RW
* DVD-RAM
Almost all of the latest internal DVD writers now support the first four of these formats, and some of the latest support DVD-RAM recording also. The media you buy must suit your recorder's capabilities or it simply won't work.
DVD-R and DVD-RW (buy media in this format)
DVD-R and DVD-RW are both sanctioned formats of the DVD Forum, a consortium of companies involved in the development of DVD standards. Both formats generally use 4.7 GB discs.
DVD-R is a write-once recordable format which allows excellent compatibility with both standalone DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.
DVD-RW media uses rewriteable discs which are rated for more than 1000 rewrites in ideal situations. The majority of standalone DVD players will play video recorded on DVD-RW discs, but the compatibility is not as high as with DVD-R.
Current DVD-RW recorders also record to DVD-R. However, the reverse is not always true. Some of the older DVD-R recorders are not capable of writing to DVD-RW discs (although some may be able to read DVD-RW discs burned with other drives).
DVD-RAM (buy media in this format)
DVD-RAM is a format originally aimed primarily as a data solution, but it is now becoming popular as a video format used by some brands of standalone (non-PC) DVD recorders (e.g. Panasonic). Current drives use 4.7 GB discs (or double-sided 9.4 GB discs).
DVD-RAM discs are traditionally housed within cartridges which cannot be opened, so that the media is well-protected. Newer Type II and Type IV cartridges can be opened however, an important feature for those who wish to read these discs in DVD-RAM compatible DVD-ROM drives or standalone DVD players. In addition, some DVD-RAM discs are now sold without cartridges.
DVD-RAM is a sanctioned format of the DVD Forum. DVD-RAM is a very robust data storage solution, theoretically allowing greater than 100000 rewrites per disc. In addition to support of the usual DVD UDF formats, DVD-RAM also allows fully integrated OS-level random read/write access similar to a hard drive, in both Windows XP (with FAT32) and Mac OS X (with FAT32 or HFS+), as well as on-the-fly write verification. The main drawback of the DVD-RAM format is its limited read compatibility by DVD-ROM drives and standalone DVD players. DVD-RAM read support with these units is increasing however.
+R and +RW (buy media in this format)
These two formats are backed by the DVD+RW Alliance. While these formats are not sanctioned by the DVD Forum, several members of the DVD+RW Alliance are also members of the DVD Forum. Technically, “DVD” is not to be used in the names for these formats, since they are not approved by the DVD Forum. However, in reality, these discs are very similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW in design, usage, and compatibility.
+RW, like DVD-RW, is a rewriteable 4.7 GB format, and overall it has similar functionality to DVD-RW. One potential future advantage of the +RW format is the optional Mount Rainier drag-and-drop file access support (also known as +MRW) planned for future versions of Windows. However, current drives do not support Mount Rainier on +RW. The level of compatibility of +RW discs in standalone DVD players is similar to that of DVD-RW. The rewritability of +RW is also said to be similar to that of DVD-RW.
+R is a format that was introduced to consumers in early 2002. It must be noted, however, that first generation +RW recorders did not support +R recording, and in most cases cannot be upgraded to do so. If one wishes to have +R burning functionality, one must purchase a recent drive specifically designed to do so. +R discs currently are somewhat more expensive than DVD-R discs, but prices will likely drop with time. Compatibility of +R discs in standalone DVD players is similar to that of DVD-R.
So what hardware should I buy then? (buy hardware)
This is a very difficult question. The choice largely depends on one's usage environment and preferences.
DVD-RAM discs cannot be used in most standalone DVD players and DVD-ROM drives, and this has historically made this format less attractive for the average home user. However, the integrated OS-level drag-and-drop read/write data support of DVD-RAM makes it very attractive for some users, especially now that most current DVD-RAM burners also support DVD-R burning for video applications. DVD-RAM capable PC drives will also be ideal for those whom already own DVD-RAM based camcorders or standalone DVD-RAM recorders.
DVD-R/DVD-RW drives currently have the highest market penetration, both with PCs and Macs. As previously mentioned, DVD-R enjoys high compatibility with standalone DVD players. In addition, the low cost of DVD-RW is attractive to many for backup purposes (with the use of third party software and/or drivers). Furthermore, most standalone DVD players will read DVD-RW as well, although the compatibility rate is significantly lower than with DVD-R.
+R and +RW are beginning to gain market share, and these discs appear to have similar compatibility on standalone DVD players as compared to DVD-R are DVD-RW, respectively. Current functionality with these drives is similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW drives, both for data and for video applications.
Can I have it all?
As explained earlier, combinations of several of the formats are as standard with most modern drives. Pioneer's DVR-109 and the NEC ND-3500 are examples of writers that can burn to DVD-R, DVD-RW, +R and +RW.
Many of the newest range of drives expected to arrive in the Autumn of 2005 will, in addition, have the functionality to record to DVD-RAM discs as well. These have been nicknamed 'Superdrives' by some because they are truly multi-format writers. The LG GSA-4163B was the first such example and is already now available for under £30.
What about external DVD recorders?
Internal drives are cheaper but require you to open up the PC to fit them. There's an article on what's involved elsewhere in this knowledgebase. External drives are quicker to fit and involve less technical know-how. They are highly portable between machines.
Compatibility of external drives is not guaranteed with all software, however. Nero has support.
You can adapt an internal drive for use as an external drive by buying one of our USB2 or Firewire external drive housings. As well as being portable, this solution has the advantage that it needs no free space in the host computer.
Can I record DVDs on my laptop?
Yes! Many newer laptops that are available to buy these days include DVD burners as the primary optical drive. If this is not the case then to record DVD on a laptop one would need to use an external drive, connected to a Firewire or USB 2 port on the laptop. This port can be either built-in or on an add-in PCMCIA adapter card.
How do I decide which DVD media to buy?
Firstly, make sure you know whether you need DVD-R 'minus' format, DVD+R 'plus' format or DVD-RAM media.
See related article on identifying the format of your drive.
There are some first questions that narrow your choice down:
* Do you want discs in cases or bulk-wrapped without cases?
* Do you want a branded, plain or printable disc? Plain discs with a silver top are more prone to handling damage but easier to label. Discs advertised as printable are usually inkjet-printable with a suitable inkjet printer. Other types of disc printer usually prefer glossy-topped discs.
* Do you want a write-once DVDR disc or a re-writeable DVDRW disc that allows you to use over and over again?
First class media manufacturers, e.g. Taiyo Yuden, Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp (Verbatim), Ritek, CMC, Prodisc and TDK, make highly compatible and dependable discs suitable for backup and long term data retention.
The difference between discs often comes down to compatibility. The better the compatibility of a disc, the greater the chance that it will play in a given machine. This is particularly important if you want the disc to play in standalone DVD players. In the mid-price range, we find discs based on a Ritek, CMC or Prodisc dye to be good in terms of compatibility - FWS, Datasafe, Datawrite and Bulkpaq often use dyes from these manufacturers for their discs. Memorex and Maxell brands also make good choices.
We report the ADVDINFO or DVDInfo information in the website description for a lot of discs. This lets you learn the dye manufacturer (e.g. CMC, Ritek, Prodisc) to assess the results you might expect from a disc.
Sometimes cheaper discs have a slightly increased risk of burn failures but this is not always the case.
We have found that a general rule for buying discs is that 'you get what you pay for'. Brands such as Verbatim, TDK and Taiyo Yuden are renowned for the exceptional quality and reliability of discs that they produce and therefore you can expect to pay higher prices for these products.
If you want to experiment with a few different discs, look for one of our sample packs. This way, you can experiment with a choice of discs and then decide which is most suitable for you, without having to purchase a larger pack.
What are Double Layer DVDs and how do they work?
For several years, DVD movie buffs have appreciated the benefits of pre-recorded (pressed) double-layer DVD media. Double-layer DVD media enables movies of up to 4 hours (240 minutes) in length to be played without disc-swapping, and provides nearly twice the room on each disc for bonus features. However, until the development of double layer rewritable DVD drives and media in 2004, PC users could read, but could not create, double-layer discs.
It is interesting to note that the DL in DVD+R DL actually stands for Double Layer and not Dual-Layer, however the terms are often interchanged, and some media is advertised using both terms. The DVD+RW Alliance uses the Double Layer terminology to help prevent confusion with the fact that most DVD burners are also capable of reading and writing Dual Format (+ and -) media. Since the term Dual-Layer was originally used with pressed DVD-9 discs, it seems that many are maintaining the use of that terminology for pressed DVD-9 discs, while reserving the Double Layer designation for writable or rewritable discs. In the end, the only important thing to note is that for all intents and purposes the terms are identical, and are often used interchangeably.
How Dual-Layer DVD Media Works
Dual-layer DVD-Video media has been used for several years by the DVD movie industry. Dual-layer DVDs have a thin substrate layer between the first and second layers of DVD data. Single-sided dual-layer DVD-Video media is known as DVD-9. Note that DVD+R DL is also referred to as DVD+R9. It has a capacity of 8.5GB (slightly less than twice the 4.7GB capacity of standard DVD-5 media). It's also possible to have double-sided dual-layer DVD-Video media, known as DVD-18; some movie vendors use this technology to place widescreen (letterbox) and fullscreen (4:3 TV format) versions of a film on a single DVD. The user inserts the media into the DVD player or drive with the widescreen side up to view the film in its original format. By inserting the media with the fullscreen side up, the film can be viewed in its modified TV format. Almost all DVD set-top boxes and DVD-ROM drives except for possibly some very old models can read DVD-9 and DVD-18 media. Inside the drive, a single laser is refocused when switching between layers, accounting for a slight delay when moving from the top to the bottom layer.
Click here to view the range of Double Layer DVD's available from www.svp.co.uk
How Double Layer DVD Rewritable Drives Work
DVD+R DL discs use a single refocusable laser to writ1e both layers. The top layer (Layer 0; L0) is written first. The metal reflector used by L0 is semi-transparent, enabling the refocused laser to write to the second layer (Layer 1; L1). Because the L0 layer absorbs some of the laser's energy, only about half the laser power reaches the L1 layer.
Click here to view the range of Double Layer DVD writers available from www.svp.co.uk
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