DVD Burner Question

[Dre]

I'm thinking of buying a HP DVD200I that burns at the following speeds:

2.4x DVD+R
2.4x DVD+RW

Can anyone tell me how long it actually takes to burn a full data DVD? What about a full video DVD to play on my standalone DVD player? Is it hard, meaning do you go through a lot of coasters? How much on average does the media cost for these?

Finally, anyone have an opinion on the HP I'm thinking of buying?


Thanks in advance!

 

[Eug]

Whether it's data or video it should take around 25 mins. If you're doing it right there should be no coasters. For data it's not a big deal, but for video you have to make sure the disc is authored correctly. If the disc is authored incorrectly the end result may not be a true coaster but you still can't use it, ie. if the DVD is authored incorrectly it will not play on a DVD player, even if the data is intact. Also, making a data DVD+R is just like burning a CD-R. However, making a video DVD takes a lot of work.

DVD+R is about $3 (generic bulk) to $15 (expensive name brand in retail stores), and DVD+RW is a couple of bucks more expensive for each disk. For DVD+R, usually in the $5-8 range is where you'll find the good stuff online. I dunno how trustworthy the $3 stuff is, since it's very new.

P.S. Check my sig as well.

 

[Dre]

Thanks for the info Eug.


Can I get your opinion on some media? HP sells 5 pack of DVD+R media rated at 2.4x for $19.99. This comes out to about $4.00 a disc. Do you think this is good media? How do you go about determining if it is good or bad?

Here is a link to HP's store: Text

 

[Codewiz]

I suggest getting a pioneer dvd-r/rw drive. The media is cheaper than +r/+rw and the fact that r/rw media is more compatable than +r/+rw

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: DreDay
Thanks for the info Eug.


Can I get your opinion on some media? HP sells 5 pack of DVD+R media rated at 2.4x for $19.99. This comes out to about $4.00 a disc. Do you think this is good media? How do you go about determining if it is good or bad?

Here is a link to HP's store: Text

$4 a disc is a good price. I have a -R machine myself so I don't have direct experience, but online people say the HP +R media is good.

EDIT: Checked out the link, and it's not $20, but $28 for 5 DVD+R discs ($5.60/disc). $20 is for a 3-pack of DVD+RW ($6.66 per disc).

 

[Dre]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: DreDay
Thanks for the info Eug.


Can I get your opinion on some media? HP sells 5 pack of DVD+R media rated at 2.4x for $19.99. This comes out to about $4.00 a disc. Do you think this is good media? How do you go about determining if it is good or bad?

Here is a link to HP's store: Text

$4 a disc is a good price. I have a -R machine myself so I don't have direct experience, but online people say the HP +R media is good.

EDIT: Checked out the link, and it's not $20, but $28 for 5 DVD+R discs ($5.60/disc). $20 is for a 3-pack of DVD+RW ($6.66 per disc).

Oops, my mistake. They had the $19.99 price on the same page as the 5-pack.

 

[Dre]

Originally posted by: Codewiz
I suggest getting a pioneer dvd-r/rw drive. The media is cheaper than +r/+rw and the fact that r/rw media is more compatable than +r/+rw

Well, the reason I was thinking about the HP dvd200i is because I can get it for about $120.00 through some pricematching this week. The pioneer is $250.00 which is double the price.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: DreDay

Originally posted by: Codewiz
I suggest getting a pioneer dvd-r/rw drive. The media is cheaper than +r/+rw and the fact that r/rw media is more compatable than +r/+rw

Well, the reason I was thinking about the HP dvd200i is because I can get it for about $120.00 through some pricematching this week. The pioneer is $250.00 which is double the price.

Hmmm... That's interesting. Are you sure you can get it for that price? The store would have to be nuts to give it to you for $120. My guess is that $120 is roughly half the wholesale price.

The lowest normal price I've seen for a 2nd generation DVD+RW drive is about $300, with the HP 200i's usually in the $360-450 range.

 

[Dre]

I'd be using my credit card card PM and stores PM policies together.

 

[BillDKiller]

The compatibility of a DVD+R(W) in a standalone player is much less than a DVD-R(W). Almost any newer dvd player will play a DVD-R, but that is not the case with DVD+R. It is true that DVD+R for data writing is better. If you are interested in making your own videos or DVD backups you should seriously consider a DVD-R recorder. The price of the media is also much less (from $.89 for the really cheap stuff in bulk). I have had no problems burning DVD-R in my Pioneer 104 and playing in my Sony dvd player.

 

[Codewiz]

Personally I don't care how cheap a DVD+RW drive might be because you will pay the difference in media. As stated, I personally know I can get bulk dvd-r media for about $1.30 per disk. I bet it can be had cheaper than that. That is 4 times cheaper than dvd+r media.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: DreDay
I'd be using my credit card card PM and stores PM policies together.

I'm still not convinced you'll get it for that price. Good luck, because you'll need it.