DVD Burner Advice Needed

[Ken Massingale]

Is the Sony DRU-810Aa good choice at $50?

[rickd]

hi ken,

that is a pretty good price for the sony drive. this 16xdvd burner is regarded as one of sony's best dvd drives to date - and, they've been in leader in this technology since the beginning. i don't think you can go wrong at that price.

[jziegler]

All of my computer nerd friends that really keep track of this stuff say Sony is a good brand. Of course, they also like Lite-On, NEC, Samsung and others as well, which tend to be cheaper. My usual source (newegg.com) does not have that particular model, but they have a Sony 16x for $37. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827131031

I'd guess that if you want that specific model, you have a deal. If you want the best possible price on a DVD burner of good quality, look a little more.

Jim

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I have the most success with Sony burners. I don't have an 810A but I have 3 Sony DVD R+/R- drives in my home right now, and they have been wonderful. If it comes with any of their proprietary software, such as Click to DVD, that stuff is actually useable. I use Pinnacle 10 for video editing and output the final to a file which I use Click to DVD to actually burn. I have found Pinnacle to be excellent and stable, except for burning where it still seems to have a lot of issues.
BTW R- DVDs seem to be more accepted by a wider range of stand alone players, so if you are burning for friends and family you may want to use that media. Also, there is actually a difference in media. Some of the cheap stuff is good, some bad. I found Sony (speed?) DVD media at Circuit City on sale recently for $8 per 50 and bought a few spindles of them. They are awesome.

[plarval]

I have had many different brands and have actually had much success with LG drives(you can usually find them for a low price). I remember when the Sony model was the one to compare all others to, but now I'd almost look for the best price over the name brand on some of them. $50 is a great deal for a good drive, but I'm sure there are cheaper models that work just as well.

[DaveW]

All of my computer nerd friends that really keep track of this stuff say Sony is a good brand. Of course, they also like Lite-On, NEC, Samsung and others as well, which tend to be cheaper. My usual source (newegg.com) does not have that particular model, but they have a Sony 16x for $37. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827131031

I'd guess that if you want that specific model, you have a deal. If you want the best possible price on a DVD burner of good quality, look a little more.

Jim

I'll be one of the computer nerds to recommend the LiteOns and NECs - actually, I really like the NECs - they're cheap and very quiet in my experience.

[Ken Massingale]

Thanks for the input, folks, it's appreciated.

"If it comes with any of their proprietary software, such as Click to DVD, that stuff is actually useable."
Jeffrey, it comes with Nero 6.6 software suite, is that a decent burning app.?
Thanks again

[rickd]

Thanks for the input, folks, it's appreciated.

"If it comes with any of their proprietary software, such as Click to DVD, that stuff is actually useable."
Jeffrey, it comes with Nero 6.6 software suite, is that a decent burning app.?
Thanks again

hi ken,

i'm sure jeffrey will agree that the nero software suite is a great burning app - and much, much more. nero's always at or near the top when it comes to burning software.

i've been using nero's software for burning cd's, dvd's etc. for years now and have never had a problem - good upgrades to new releases too - for free!

[jziegler]

I think that Nero is what came with my new burner (a LiteOn) and it seems good so far. Just realize that the version that is shipped with a burner is not the same version that you buy in the store for about $70. It has less features, although they offer an upgrade price to the full version. That said, it will do all of your basic tasks. It will copy, burn from files, burn from a disc image, everything like that. Some of the software shipped with one Dell PC I have doesn'e do half of what it does. So, good started software, but if you want movie editing and the like, you may need to upgrade.

Jim

[Wood_workur]

I'll be one of the computer nerds to recommend the LiteOns and NECs - actually, I really like the NECs - they're cheap and very quiet in my experience.

Espically the NEC 3550 (I think might be the 350). Just brose through the reviews at Newegg.

[jziegler]

Just want to add one more thing. Go ahead and skip the LightScribe feature. If you need labels on your burned discs, the best option is an inkjet printer (Epson) that prints directly on discs. Of course, for most of the time, sharpie works great. Lightscribe seems like the type of thing you play with once or twice and then never use again.

Jim

[Scottydont]

I am one of those computer nerds that sing the praises of Lite-on. I also agree that Lightscribe drives are not worth the money. Burning a lightscribe text or graphic image can take HOURS. I also like Nero for burning software.

[JimD]

I have a Lite-on with Lightscribe that I have not used yet. I have burned a few discs with the Nero program that came with the drive. It took awhile but the end result was good. The software was not as easy to use as some but for free it seems pretty good.

Jim