DVD Burners/media faq?

[A Murder of Crows]

Hey all

i'm considering getting myself a DVD burner, and i really wanted opinions from everyone. i want a burner for multiple purposes, including:

1. PS2 and XBox backups
2. DVD Movie backups
3. DVD based PC backups
4. PC file storage and archival
5. DVD images and ghosts of hard drives.

The obvious choice i think is the Sony DRU500A, since it will do both the faster-for-PC + formats and the more universal - formats, but i do know that there is another all-format drive coming out soon.

the factors i'm considering are

general features,
ability to read subchannels on CDs
speed
reliability,
and if the drive comes in Black or not (my system is black, and the white dvd-rom drive i have sticks out like a really really really sore thumb).

so, what other drives do you guys like? how does it handle dvd movie backups? Does the drive come in black?

what's the best media for use on the PS2? what is the best value priced media for the PS2?


Lastly, can we possibily put up reviews of drives like for the new ps2 mods, in a thread along the lines of an FAQ?

thanx all

[trumpetguyscw]

The Sony DRU500A is a great drive for the fact that if you have a v1-4 ps2, you can record games to DVD-RW, while still enjoying the benefits of DVD+RW, which I think is a great format for DVD movies.
I have a HP DVD Writer 200i DVD+RW drive, I believe they may come in black, not sure, but it does everything you were mentioning, burns perfect DVD+R's every time. You do need a v5-7 ps2 in order to play DVD+R backups though, but if you do, they boot as good or better than DVD_RW in my opinion.

[A Murder of Crows]

unfortunatly, i have a v4 and a v5, and will soon trade one of them for a v7....but it probably means i should stick with an - instead of a +, unless i get them both.

what are the speeds on the 200i?

[SledDog]

Allow me to clarify trumpetguyscw's response.

DVD-R and DVD+R, not -RW and +RW as the reflectivity on the re-writables is very low compared to -R and +R media and rarely work in a PS2. (Note: I said rarely...)

[A Murder of Crows]

thanx balto

but yeah, i actually knew what he meant...unlike certain newbies i actually read the forums, looking for info

[trumpetguyscw]

Sorry Balto,
I was referring to the drive type itself, not the actual media the drive would burn ps2 games to. A DVD-R drive, after all, is much less useful than a DVD-RW drive.
Balto is correct, you have to burn ps2 games to DVD-R or DVD+R, and can only stabally use the + format in v5-7 ps2's that have the newer lasers. I have not managed to get RW's to boot, and they are highly expensive anyways, no need for them when you can get cheaper write once formats.

The speed of a 200i is 2.4x write speed, and it writes the TOC faster than DVD-R because of the wobbled groove TOC. Burns no coasters, great drive if you're willing to pay, if you're willing to pay more, go for the Sony DRU500A just because it burns both formats.

[A Murder of Crows]

any news about the new dual format drive that is supposed to be coming out?

anyone have any info about replacement faceplates and trays for a DRU500A?

[SledDog]

No need for anyone to be sorry. Was just trying to avoid any misconceptions which may have been formed on the part of the reader...

[RAISTLIN]

+R's supposed better compatability is actually a myth that is being spread by a small faction of manufacturers trying to sway the masses into their court instead of the -R format. No, I'm not making this up. I spend alot of time on DVD work, and had to actually research this compatability issue. The +R standard is now more prominently featured as being supported on the newer home players because that is the way the industry wants to go. Why? Because it is a cheaper media to mass produce and can be sold for a higher profit margin then the -R media. Those +R supported players also will support -R media as long as it is created to the -R standards. That is the trick--meeting the strict standards of the -R camp. The most compelling reason to go with the -R format is in fact larger compatability. It was the first public standard. It is the closest thing to both a CD-R and a pressed DVD. The +R's wobbled groove requires a special adaption to the hardware and firmware to be able to read it. Since the -R is recorded in a constant physical groove (like a CD-R and a pressed CD) almost ANY DVD player can read it so long as the laser and pickup are strong enough and sensitive enough to translate the burns into pits and lands. I am not pulling your leg here--there is an actual site that lists the compatability testing of hundreds of players out there--and there are far more listed as being capable of reading -R than +R (and very few of the bargain brands or models 2 yrs or older will read +R reliably unless very specific paramaters concerning source format, software, and media brand are met). The only issue that consistently pops up with -R (incidetally it goes for +R also) is concerning the use of Sonic MyDVD products. The solution is to use different software like Ulead or SpruceUp/Primo(RecordNowMax).

My advice--which comes highly recommended just about anywhere who truly uses their burner for everything under the sun--go -R for compatability with almost anything DVD (especially the PS2 and Car DVD). If you got the extra $$--go for the Pioneer (or the Cendyne 4X which is a reboxed Pioneer). You won't be disappointed.

Raist

[trumpetguyscw]

Yes, the old DVD player problem is an issue, but most people's DVD players can play DVD+R, even my Pioneer DVD player boots DVD+R, and it is fairly old for its time.

In my experiences, many new software programs such as SonicMyDVD are supporting the format because of its quicker TOC recording and yes, the fact that its cheaper to manufacture.

I'm not knocking - R at all, just wanted to say my + R has really done well for me and if I had to buy it all over again I would still pick it if I couldn't afford the Sony DRU500A