a03 dvd writer

[vern]

hi folks this is my first post,i have just bought the pioneer dvd writer and would like everybodies views on it please.:)

[samfchen]

Hello,

I have the same writer and it is working great. It is much like the first CDR-W writers when they first came out: 1) can be troublesome, both hardware, software, and media / 2) find the EXACT settings that work well and DON'T mess with it.

The media plays a big part on playability EVEN on playing on PC's after recording. If you go with the Pioneer brand DVDRW's, you should be fine. Of course, if you are cheap like me and want to find DIRT cheap media's, you just have to test each brand AND batch of media yourself. Personally, I shop from this place.

http://store.yahoo.com/cd-recordable-dot-com/index.html

$2.95 for 4.7GB DVDR's
$5.95 for double sided DVDR's.
And free shipping with orders over $100.

BOTH work great with this particular burner, and I have not yet had a coaster yet (X fingers). (I don't have any ties with the above company...hell, they should pay me for doing this.)

Lastly, I find the included Prassi PrimoDVD best for burning DVD .iso's (not bad for data stuff), while Nero best for whatever else.

Note: Seems like Pioneer prevented the use of any other non-authorized (by Pioneer) DVDR media's to burn at 2x by the restrictions on the burner bios. So if you absolutely need to burn at 2x strictly, stick with Pioneer brand DVDR media's, and of course, pay that extra 6 bucks or so.

Sam:)

[djbasics]

Hi all,

i also have a a03

and have a question:

With double sided dvd-r's does that mean you can write on both sides of the DVD-R and what exact size are they? (8.6 gig)

:)

[samfchen]

Hello,

Yes, with double sided DVD-R, it means you can write on BOTH sides. each side is still 4.3gig limit, thus giving you 8.6gig total. Very handy for those pesky 4.3gig+ dual-layered movies, or even better, fit 2 single layered movies on 1 double sided disc.

Sam:)

[liquid5170]

I also bought the a03 drive just a few days ago. so far the thing is appealing to the eye.... I tried to "backup" my movies that i have on dvd but i think most, if not all my dvd's are over 5 gigs big. How do you guys suppose the easiest way to "backup" your dvd collection efficiently???

[samfchen]

Hello,

If you JUST want the movie to play on PC, with simply the .vob files, rip the vobs with smartripper or some other ripper, and just burn on the double sided DVD's I mentioned. OR, you can follow Doom9's guide on ripping double layered DVD's and reconstruct them, menu's and all.

Sam:)

[vern]

thanks for all your help folks;)

[LeOle]

Hi,

Does anyone of you have experience with burning DVD-R (single layered or dubbel layered) with the A03 and then playing them with the Pioneer DV-444 DVD Player.

Regards,
LeOle.

[Vulpine]

I've burned several DVD-Rs on my A03. I have a Pioneer 434 and have had no difficulties with either DVD-Rs or DVD-RWs.

The media is a big consideration. I tried some of that $2.95 media, and it will play with little problem on my Pioneer, but won't play at all on several other peoples DVD-players (including older Pioneers). The Apple media plays on most of the current players.

As far as recording Double Layered discs- not possible. Only single layered discs. The 9GB discs you see advertised are double sided discs. You record one side, then flip it and record the other side.

[trbarry]

I made a data disk for someone with my A03 on the cheap cdrecordable $2.50 disk and she could not read it in her computer. But I tried it in 3 other computers and it was fine. I'll probably continue to buy them.

- Tom

[Vulpine]

The cdrecordable DVD-Rs are perfect for data backup. That is what I am going to use them for. I backup my DVD projects onto them. I just wouldn't use them to record DVDs for use in the majority standalone players.