is this dvd burner any good for $99

**GilbertsGrape** · 08-22-2003, 08:01 PM

is this dvd burner any good for $99 or are new burners coming out soon with larger capasity

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...RCCODE=WEM526C

**Devhux** · 08-22-2003, 09:58 PM

Doesn't seem too bad for the price, although I have no idea who "Ultra" is. 4x is currently the maximum speed for DVD-Writing (although Plextor is coming out with their 8x writer fairly soon (though DVD+RW writing would still be 4x). Of course, that drive is expected to cost $299 US as well -- 3 times the price of this drive.

**zippyjuan** · 08-23-2003, 01:41 AM

When I built my comp in January I found what I thought was a deal on a DVD burner- $119 after rebate for a 2.4x DVD+R/RW. I had no problems with the CD portion, I only recently tried to use the DVD burn feature and other than the demo +RW disc that came with it, I couldn't find media that would work in it. I haven't been able to get info from the manufacturer on what they recommend and since I might end up spending a ton of money on discs trying one that might work, I decided to get maximum compatability ang got the latest dual format drive from TDK. Now everything works in it. I don't know if that will apply to this drive, but that was my experience. I have also since read that they will be phasing out 2.4x media and older burners will need firmware updates to use anything else so my drive would have become obsolete soon anyways. Spending $250 now probably saved me money in the long run.

**zippyjuan** · 08-23-2003, 01:53 AM

I wonder if that drive is like this one: http://www.dvdxcopy.com/products_burner.asp# It looks like it includes the same software package. If you order either DVD X-Copy or X Copy Express they will sell you this 4x burner for $99. Then you can use it to make back-ups of your DVD movies for your own personal use. (not vaild with other discounts). Express will put the movie on one disc but without the special features. X-Copy original will copy everything (all audio tracks including 5.1, all the extras, even the copyright protection), but some movies may require two discs since newer movies use dual layering. X-Copy Gold includes both programs.

**GilbertsGrape** · 08-24-2003, 06:26 PM

how long b4 burners come out that burn higher capasity disc?

**raimin** · 08-25-2003, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by GilbertsGrape
how long b4 burners come out that burn higher capasity disc?

the 4.7 GB is the standard size for a layer on a dvd

you can always wait for Blu-ray to come 23-30 GB

i think sony relased one in japan in april (BDZ-S77)for like $4000

**GilbertsGrape** · 08-25-2003, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by raimin

the 4.7 GB is the standard size for a layer on a dvd

you can always wait for Blu-ray to come 23-30 GB

i think sony relased one in japan in april (BDZ-S77)for like $4000

Is that is the standard size then why do DVD movie backups span 2 burned DVD's as compared to 1 factory DVD?

**gear02** · 08-25-2003, 03:55 PM

DVD movies are dual sided. Once it reaches one side it'll switch to the other side automatically. I think if you're observant, you can see the switch, although I never notice it.

With DVD burners, it's impossible to burn a dual sided DVD+/-R

Is this correct guys?

**watanad** · 08-25-2003, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by gear02
DVD movies are dual sided. Once it reaches one side it'll switch to the other side automatically. I think if you're observant, you can see the switch, although I never notice it.

With DVD burners, it's impossible to burn a dual sided DVD+/-R

Is this correct guys?

DVDs can be dual sided, but like DF said, most of the time the movie will be on one side, and extras will be on the other. I've also got a couple of DVDs that have widescreen on one side and standard on the other. In some older discs, the movie will be split on the two sides, requiring you to flip the DVD over in the middle of the movie (aka "flippers").
Since you mentioned looking for the transition, I think you meant dual layered. zippyjuan mentioned below that 2 discs are sometimes required to backup a movie if it is dual layered, since burners don't do dual layers.

**Hoser** · 08-25-2003, 08:27 PM

Actually, there are several different types of DVDs. Check out this link: http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/pr...419968,00.html

**Nija** · 08-25-2003, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by gear02
DVD movies are dual sided. Once it reaches one side it'll switch to the other side automatically. I think if you're observant, you can see the switch, although I never notice it.

right about the middle of the movie, either the beginning of a scene or the end of a scene there will be about a 1 to 1.5 second pause. It's called a Layer Break

**coleslaw** · 08-25-2003, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by Nija

right about the middle of the movie, either the beginning of a scene or the end of a scene there will be about a 1 to 1.5 second pause. It's called a Layer Break

If you've got a more advanced DVD player, a buffer may be in place that will omit any evidence of a layer transistion.

**raimin** · 08-26-2003, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by gear02
DVD movies are dual sided. Once it reaches one side it'll switch to the other side automatically. I think if you're observant, you can see the switch, although I never notice it.

With DVD burners, it's impossible to burn a dual sided DVD+/-R

Is this correct guys?

forgrt dual sided dvd +/-r

i want a dual layer dvd +/- r

I'm too lazy to get up and turn the disk over