DVD-Writers
Create your own home movies on DVD, backup your DVD
collection, or use to backup your hard drive, for whatever reason go buy
one now. A DVD writer is used for exactly what it is named for, writing
DVD's.
Lets explain the formats. DVD writers come in several
formats. DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM.
So which do you buy ? Lets explain the different types :
DVD-R/RW - This is the first format that was compatible
with home DVD players. This drive would be the more popular, although
not as technologically advanced as the DVD+R/RW drives this format is
ruling the market and is supported by 92% of DVD-rom drives and DVD
players..
DVD+R/RW - This is the more technologically advanced
drive. Supported by Microsoft in their next version of Windows, this
drive format is getting more popular, but is slightly less compatible
than its friend the DVD-R/RW drives, it comes in at 87%.
DVD-RAM - This format is out years, but unfortunately is
better suited for large backups of your Harddrive. Do not buy if you
want to backup your DVD collection, or make home DVD's.
BUYING
So what do you buy, well luckily enough in today's
market you can remove the decision making and just buy a drive that
support DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW. The DVD-RAM drives are no good unless you
wish to backup, but even then I would consider buying a 2nd hard drive
first.
So which drive do you buy ?
At time of writing we recommend the Pioneer DVRA06 Internal DVD
Writer. A very reliable and fast drive, supporting both DVD-R/RW and
DVD+R/RW formats, plus it is a CD-writer also. Of course this article
will eventually date, so always look for the highest speed, duel
compatible drive.