Should I buy a DVD-burner now or wait for dual-layer?

[Elrik]

Just contemplating on what to do. It is quite tempting to get a DVD-burner now (I don't have any DVD-burners yet). However, I keep reading about the dual-layer burners coming out soon. So, it would seem almost a waste investing into a new burner when the better ones are around the corner.

Having said that, I know that there's always something better around the corner and one can wait forever BUT dual-layer burners are a pretty huge jump from a single-layer, so that makes it a different kind of "around-the-corner".

Also, I keep reading in some places that dual-layer burners will be out in April, while others claim only in June. Which is true? Or is it dependant on manufacturers?

When the new dual-layer burners come out, is it pretty safe to buy one right away or is it very likely that they will be very buggy due to being a new format?? On the other hand, a lot of manufactuers do already have an experience with current burners...

Then there's the dilema with newer single-layer burners that are supposed to come out in February. I could, for example, go and pick up LiteOn 811S right now but they're coming out with 812S (both are NOT firmware compatible)...

I'm really itching to start playing with DVD authoring and burning and testing it out on my stand-alone but this timing issue is tough... Would you recommend waiting for the February refresh of single-layer DVD-burners OR wait until April or possibly June until dual-layer burners??

Also, has anyone heard if Plextor has plans for a February refresh of their 8x burner? It seems other manufacturers have already surpassed it in speed for certain formats...

Thanks.

[JF Sebastian]

Elrik
I agree that dual-layer is exciting, but as you rightly point out information is sketchy as best, and the likelihood of this hardware rolling out in the next few months is probably slight - more likely the latter part of the year, and even then the media may be hard to find and pricey.

If I was buying now I'd say go for one of the latest 8X writers that can write to both formats, such as Pioneer A07/107 or Sony DRU530. They are getting cheaper all the time as more clone 8X machines come out to drive the market price down, and you can always sell items such as these on ebay or similar. Media is cheap also.

That way you can sit back and observe the dual layer format's emergence, all the while burning your stuff happily away in 9 minutes flat, and avoiding the inherent teething troubles with hardware and media that this new format is likely to encounter, given that such problems did beset the first dual format writers when they launched.

Just an opinion, of course :)

JF

PS
Haven't seen any news on a firmware update for the Plextor (I have one of these at the office), but seeing as the 8X -R machines are coming out now, it won't be long before they go to 8X on -R format. Question is, will it be a patch or a new model?

[JustinH]

I picked up a 4x sony dru510a for 99 bucks the other day. They are getting cheap, just get a dual format 4x, you will be happy with that and not drop alot of coin.

15 minutes to burn a dvd is OK in my book.

[Elrik]

Thanks for your suggestions, guys. So, it seems I'll probably just go ahead and buy a single-layer burner now. However, I've just noticed on this forum that Pioneer's drivers are possibly firmware upgradable to a dual-layer burner? Maybe not all models but I think it's mentioned A06 and A07??

I don't mind it even if I had to pay to the manufacturer for the firmware upgrade. But the question is, which brand/model burners will be firmware upgradable to dual-layer format? Are only Pioneer DVR-A06 and A07 known so far or others as well?

Thanks. :-)

EDIT: I've just read on CDFreaks forums that the dual-layer-firmware A06 drive that Pioneer demonstrated also possibly had some hardware modifications (true or not?), and that only DVR-A09 will truely support dual-layer. DVR-A09 seems to be scheduled for next December, so it's loooong ways off. Hmm...

[atreides93]

I say just buy it. You can get a lot of use from it in 10-11 months...

[Elrik]

I just might. But now I'm trying to decide between NEC 2500 and Pioneer A07/107. None of the sites out there have a comprehensive review of A07/107 yet to compare both of them. And various kprobe results reported on forums aren't a basis for which one is best.

[quantum]

Do you have links to those kprobe results?

[blade80]

just get an a06 -why u need to pay for more pricey 8x media anyhow:)?

4x is fine with me-hell, even 2 x is OK.

Another thing, you should definitely buy single layer one now- i would burn all my single layer disks on a single layer drive- why waste the lens of an expensive dual-layer burner

[JF Sebastian]

Elrik
Blade80 and atriedes93 are right. Just buy a dual format now and enjoy it - you can always upgrade later to dual layer.

There are many people happy with the "06" model pioneer so I'd probably go for the "07" model. An average thirteen or fourteen minutes is pretty damn good I think, and you'll be down to 8 mins once the media is cheap enough.

Cheers

JF

[toiday]

I would just buy a dual format. No point waiting for dual layer. Beside, the life of dual layer may not be that long. As HDTV is right around the corner, there will be a need for HD-DVD. You may have read that the blue laser DVD will be the one for HD-DVD (3 time the compacity of the dual layer). But that would probably be at least another 2-3 years. I just bought my NEC-1300 a few months ago and loving that. If this one would last for that long, I would skip the dual layer one and go with the blue laser when it's available.

[Pfc Joker]

Originally posted by atreides93
I say just buy it. You can get a lot of use from it in 10-11 months...

No kidding, from now till then even if you chuck out 200 bucks for an A06 you'll use it a lot.

My personall choise is an A06 because of the availability of modified firmware from Nil at http://pioneerdvd.rpc1.org/.

[Elrik]

Thanks, guys!

I'll go for a single-layer dual-format now. Although, I just saw the news on the new Phillips dual-layer and its picture, and, holy moly, that thing looks sweeeeeeet!! I wish I could buy one now but it's only scheduled for July...

http://gfx.cdfreaks.com/img/1076319104

Anyway, someone asked for links to k-probe scans for A07/107. Here it is BUT take it with a huge grain of salt:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?threadid=85217

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?threadid=86932

Also, here's a rough translation of A07/107 review from some Chinese site:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?threadid=87136