DVD Re-Writers

Not sure if this is the best place to post such a topic, but I'm thinking of getting a DVD re-writer drive for the PC (external, preferably).

Anyone have any experience of these? Any good? Is it just a case of "hey, that's a good DVD, I think I'll burn me a copy"? Most importantly, I guess, do the resultant DVD's play on most standard domestic DVD players?

Thanks guys

Jim Garten wrote: Is it just a case of "hey, that's a good DVD, I think I'll burn me a copy"? Thanks guys

BTW you cannot copy a copyprotected DVD (ie any DVD you buy or borrow) directly on to a blank disc. However there are a variety of simple to use tools to achieve this.
First you need to rip the DVD onto your hard-disk (I use DVD Decrypter it's free from http://www.dvddecrypter.com/ and works brilliantly and is very simple)This is illegal however and i would not encourage you to attempt this!()

Then you need to "author" the disc ie turn the video files back into a playable DVD format and more importantly shrink down the size of the movie files to fit on a standard blank DVD disc (most new DVD writers come as dual-layer compatible these days but unfortunately the discs are over £4 each,as opposed to blank DVD-r's (single layer which I get for between £5 and £8 for 25!!).I use Nero 6 to author and burn my DVD's and it works spectacularly well.Most new drives should come with some sort of authoring software or you can use DVD Shrink,available on the web for free.

Though not necessarily the place to post this,doing the reply for Jim reminded me about my favourite rip-off subject-computer cable pricing.

Check out this price difference and be stunned:

USB cable-standard cable for connecting USB devices to your PC eg printer,scanner:

:

	PC LINE USB A-B 1.8M USB CABLE		>
		£14.99 Price inc VAT

:

Are you ready for this???????????

 

1.8m USB Printer Cable (A to B)

£0.29

£0.34

This is not a misprint!!!!! Or a wind up.Check for yourself.

http://www.scan.co.uk/        

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_Sessi onID=@@@@0735647531.1110410876@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadded fdmhdjcflgceggdhhmdfho.0&category_oid=-10280&categor y_name=%2fDSG%2f08.+Accessories%2fCables%2fUSB+Device&ca mp_id=null&page=ProductList&show_all=true&fm=7&a mp;a mp;sm=10&tm=undefined

 

You walk into PC World or Curry's etc and buy a Printer.The cable is not included.They tell you to buy one from them and charge you £14.99 for something you can get for 34p!!!

It is beyond all rational belief how this swindle can be perpertrated on the general public!!

 

Edited by Reed Lover

In addition to Reed's manufacturer recommendations, I would add Pioneer (I think you meant Pioneer rather than Panasonic for DVD recorders, Reed?).

Plextor are good, but expensive - I have found that a Lite-On or LG drive for nearly half the price performs as well and lasts as long. The only advantage I have ever found with Plextor is the "warm" feeling of owning one and knowing it's the best. But in use, I have found little to convince me that Plextor are any better (or faster) than Samsung or the other manufacturers I mentioned.

That said, I tend to buy MSI components, which are also very cheap. The only reason I buy MSI is because I have become hooked on their motherboards (after 3 years as an ABit fanatic), so I like to keep all my PC components manufacturer-specific to avoid as many driver issues as possible.

Another good reason for buying a cheap drive is that the formats will all change in a year or so, and you'll probably want to upgrade...

Certif1ed wrote: In addition to Reed's manufacturer recommendations, I would add Pioneer (I think you meant Pioneer rather than Panasonic for DVD recorders, Reed?). Plextor are good, but expensive - I have found that a Lite-On or LG drive for nearly half the price performs as well and lasts as long. The only advantage I have ever found with Plextor is the "warm" feeling of owning one and knowing it's the best. But in use, I have found little to convince me that Plextor are any better (or faster) than Samsung or the other manufacturers I mentioned. That said, I tend to buy MSI components, which are also very cheap. The only reason I buy MSI is because I have become hooked on their motherboards (after 3 years as an ABit fanatic), so I like to keep all my PC components manufacturer-specific to avoid as many driver issues as possible. Another good reason for buying a cheap drive is that the formats will all change in a year or so, and you'll probably want to upgrade...

Yes,I did-I have a Pioneer DVR 108 myself.
I have a standalone Panasonic Hard Disc/DVD Recorder too.