Discussion
Original recordable DVD's had one recording layer allowing you to record around 4.5 Gb of data on to a DVD.
Dual layer disks have 2 recording layers and the laser changes focus to switch between one layer and the other. Result - you can record double the data on a dual layer disk.
Commercial DVD movie disks are dual layer and you sometimes get a momentary pause in the film as the laser switches layers - often about an hour into the film.
As for -R/-RW and +R/+RW. Well they are two slightly different recording formats and there was a danger of a format war breaking out similar to the VHS Betamax war of the video age. Fortunately, however the drive manufacturers saw sense this time and incorporated both formats into their units.
Then of course there is DVD-RAM as well. This is designed as a very robust archiving format and most drives don't support it, but if this is really what you are looking for then LG and Panasonic do multi format drives that include DVD-RAM. Personally I like DVD-RAM for archiving - you just treat it as a huge floppy disk, deleting and rewriting as often as you like. No special software required, just drag and drop, then put the cartridge in your briefcase and take it off site. (It is the only DVD format to use a cartridge). DVD-RAM is always single layer, but the disks can be two sided, giving 9.5 Gb storage per disk.
Which format is best? Well it depends what you want it for. Best have a Google and see what people say, but here is a starter.
>> Edited by arcturus on Tuesday 16th November 19:42
Dual layer disks have 2 recording layers and the laser changes focus to switch between one layer and the other. Result - you can record double the data on a dual layer disk.
Commercial DVD movie disks are dual layer and you sometimes get a momentary pause in the film as the laser switches layers - often about an hour into the film.
As for -R/-RW and +R/+RW. Well they are two slightly different recording formats and there was a danger of a format war breaking out similar to the VHS Betamax war of the video age. Fortunately, however the drive manufacturers saw sense this time and incorporated both formats into their units.
Then of course there is DVD-RAM as well. This is designed as a very robust archiving format and most drives don't support it, but if this is really what you are looking for then LG and Panasonic do multi format drives that include DVD-RAM. Personally I like DVD-RAM for archiving - you just treat it as a huge floppy disk, deleting and rewriting as often as you like. No special software required, just drag and drop, then put the cartridge in your briefcase and take it off site. (It is the only DVD format to use a cartridge). DVD-RAM is always single layer, but the disks can be two sided, giving 9.5 Gb storage per disk.
Which format is best? Well it depends what you want it for. Best have a Google and see what people say, but here is a starter.
>> Edited by arcturus on Tuesday 16th November 19:42
I've got the cheap as chips LG 8 speeder.
Cost just over 40 sovs.
Well happy with it. Unwrapped, installed, firmwared, rebooted, away you go.
In my experience, the write times are utterly meaningless. You'll spend more time watching your PC transcoding the data than watching it burn it. That being the case, a bloody good CPU is worth its weight in gold.
I stayed away from a dual layer burner at the moment, the technology's just too new.
Depends on your budget.
I'd agree the NEC unit is a belter too.
Greg
Cost just over 40 sovs.
Well happy with it. Unwrapped, installed, firmwared, rebooted, away you go.
In my experience, the write times are utterly meaningless. You'll spend more time watching your PC transcoding the data than watching it burn it. That being the case, a bloody good CPU is worth its weight in gold.
I stayed away from a dual layer burner at the moment, the technology's just too new.
Depends on your budget.
I'd agree the NEC unit is a belter too.
Greg
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