Dumb Computer Q

[Kev Bamber]

I'm upgrading my computer & just checking -

Does a DVD re-writer also re-write CD's ?

Kev

[sedsy]

should think so mate

[adhawkins]

Generally, yes.

Andy

[Boomy]

For the price it is also worth picking up a dual layer drive now mate.8.5 gig storage as apposed to 4 odd on normal blank DVD's.

The media is a bit more expensive at the moment though, but it will keep dropping.Also a dual layer drive will burn normal non dual layer blanks just fine.

The speed ratings you see on a dvd drives box as an example are as follows, the plus ( + ) and minus ( - ) relates to plus and minus media, imagine VHS vs Betamax with most of the compatibility issues removed and you are on the right track.

All of these below were taken from a Sony drive but the story will be the same on most makes.

DVD+R DL Write Speed  4X (will write a dual layer 8.5 gig + blank dvd at x4 speed)

DVD+R Write Speed  16x (will write a 4.7 gig + blank dvd at x16 speed)

DVD+RW Rewrite Speed  8X (will write a 4.7 gig + rewritable blank DVD at x8 speed)

DVD-R DL Write Speed  4X (will write an 8.5 gig dual layer - blank dvd at x 4 speed)

DVD-R Write Speed 16x  (will write a 4.7 gig - DVD blank at 16 speed)

DVD-RW Rewrite Speed  6x (will write a 4.7 gig DVD Rewritable blank at x6 speed)

CD Write Speed  48x  (will write a blank CD, normaly 700 meg at 48 speed)

CD Rewrite Speed 24x (will write a blank cd, 700 meg CD Rewritable disc at 24 speed)  

That will be the same on most drives, just some of the numbers may vary a little but all are pretty fast these days with DVD's obviously taking a bit longer to burn than a CD.

Don't pay more than 40 to 50 quid for an internal one either, that should get you a good quailty one too!

[ChrisG]

I'd say nearer £30 to be honest  

eBuyer DVD-RW page

[Boomy]

I'd say nearer £30 to be honest  

eBuyer DVD-RW page

Man they got cheap!

It was only a few months or so ago i was looking at one for myself so i assumed they were still the same kind of price.

Luckily for me however i discovered my standard DVD writer could have a simple bios flash to make it dual layer!.

I tried it as i was prepared to take the risk and it works superbly and cost me nothing

Mind you, my first dvd writer cost me £350 second hand!

And the first 10 blanks i got cost me £150....yes! £150 for 10 blanks!.

How things change huh?

[jago]

name that song  its jimmy cliff      

[neilwillis]

What exactly is the difference between -DVD and +DVD then?

[adhawkins]

Basically they're two different formats. Somewhat compatible, and somewhat not.

Standalone DVD recorders will usually support one or the other. Most DVD drives for PCs will support both.

There's more info here.

Andy

[Martin Keene]

Standalone DVD recorders will usually support one or the other. Most DVD drives for PCs will support both.

Standalone recorders are getting better. My Sony 510 will do just about all of them bar DVD-RAM.

[Boomy]

What exactly is the difference between -DVD and +DVD then?

The answer is quite boring and technical, but in a nut shell it relates to the way the the discs can be burnt to due to their construction and sometimes one type will work better for example in a standard under the tv DVD player etc.

As things have progressed however, for the average home user there isn't a great deal to choose between them.

Once apon a time DVD writers in your PC would only burn + or - discs, now most of them can just burn anything and everything.

As i mentioned before, it has been compared to the old beetamax vs VHS scenario with various companys putting their name to one format or the other.

EDIT: Damn you all type fast, probably best to read adhawkins link, it will do a much better job of explaining it  

[neilwillis]

That's all I needed to know, thanks chaps

[adhawkins]

EDIT: Damn you all type fast, probably best to read adhawkins link, it will do a much better job of explaining it  

We aim to please

I learned long ago that a short post with an informative link was the easiest way to look clever

Andy

[neilwillis]

You've been hanging around Blatman too long Andy

[Martin Keene]

Talking of which, where his, his been bl**** quite recently...