Need advice on a good but cheap DVD Dual-Layer Re-writer

[Xirix]

I'm looking to replace my old Nec ND-1300A (http://www.de.nec.de/productdetail.php/id/671/lang/ENG) with a a Dual-Layer Rewriter of similar or superior specs. I'm looking to spend around £50-£70 on it. But not another Nec.

I made this decision for two reasons

1) Obvious one, I need to burn some Dual-Layer discs.

2) Somehow.. I screwed up my nec, and it won't burn onto DVD-RW's now.. and on a few of my archivings on normal DVD-R's it leaves a small cresent-moon like mark near the centre of the disc's underside.. it doesn't seem to do anything, but it's worrying.

As for removing my Nec, do I just uninstall it in Device manager, and it won't leave anything on my comp? I want it to be like it was never in my computer.

So if I could get some suggestions that'll be great, one that can burn CDs and DVDs as good.. but still good at burning Duals.



Second thing, I use Riteks exclusively for everything, game backups, archiving avi files, making DVD and such. According to this website Ritek is only 2nd grade media. (http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm)

I get my Riteks from http://www.rivierapublishing.co.uk/ because they're cheap in bulk. But does anyone have any recommended sites for the Top grade media?

Sorry this post is all over the shop, but I hope it's readable.

Thanks

[setarip_old]

I've had great success with my Pioneer (108). Others (at this and other forums) have recommended BenQ...

For DL media, I'd suggest you consider using Verbatim DL DVD+R...

[Xirix]

When I asked about the media, I ment for CD-R and DVD-R's that the website classed as Grade A, ( Since I'm using Riteks that were graded 2nd best ).

I'll leave this open for a few days, hopefully get a lot of suggestions, I'd rather have Minus R Dual Layer media than plus.

Also, do you know any other forums that specialise in DVD Media and Burner advice?

[setarip_old]

I'd rather have Minus R Dual Layer media than plus.Read some posts about this topic at these and other forums. Presently DL DVD-R media is nothing but trouble...

[CWR03]

I've been using a Pacific Digital burner for a while, probably burned 500 DVD-ROMs on cheap media without a single failure. It doesn't handle DVD-R DL at all, but it has functioned perfectly with everything else. It was $70 a year ago, now I believe it's $50.

[Xirix]

Ah I see, I wondered about that. It's just that everybody suggests Minus R for CD's and DVD's, will these Plus R Dual-Layers work fine for PS2 or Xbox games?

Never heard of BenQ, or Pacific Digital for that matter, but I'll check those two out and the Pioneer and probably just choose from that.. I've got a load of things ready to test it with anyway.

But yes, as for uninstalling my previous one, will just removing it with Device Manager suffice? I would think the only data the burner has is actually contained inside it's rom, unless anyone else says otherwise.

Also, setarip if you could point me in the direction of one or two of the best other forums you mentioned I'd be very grateful. It's always good to get multiple sources of help.

[Xirix]

Just compared the Pioneer 108 with my old Nec on Ciao.co.uk and it pretty much looks like it's superior in everyway.

But just for my confirmation, can the pioneer burn using all these modes?

"Multisession, disc-at-once, track-at-once, packet writing, session-at-once"

And does it work well with Nero? Using the latest version 7 with all the upgrades available online.


Also one last thing, since I'm having trouble finding it for sale and such. Does it matter if I get the OEM version or not?

[xyloy]

If it can help you, I've got a
BENQ DVD DUAL DW1610 (DVD+RW:16x/4x, DVD-RW:16x/4x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/24x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW).
It works perfectly fine with Nero Ultra Edition 6.6.1.4(didn't try with Nero 7). ;)
Here's what it can handle:
http://membres.lycos.fr/xcomcmdr/VSOInspectorScanResults.png

Bought it for €80 1 year ago($96.31 according to yahoo's currency converter).

[CWR03]

As far as removing a DVD burner from Device Manager, it's not necessary. There are no drivers for them, and as soon as it's unplugged or replaced all traces of it are gone.