Best Dual Layer DVD-R/+R Burning Drive

[StressTest]

Hello,

I'm trying to determine what the best dual layer dvd-R/+R burning drive out there is the best. I say again, BEST not cheapest.

I really want to get the best drive possible that gives me not only the highest quality burns but the fastest.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[roadworker]

That's not easy to tell......,there's no drive that has no problems with specific media and other shortcomings are common.....
ATM,the Nec ND3500A is considered as 1 of the best available for now,but this can change tommorrow when a new kid on the block arrives...Also the LG GSA-4160B is known for it's great writing performance..
The long awaited Plextor 716 is a dissapointment,the US release is full of bugs....even so many,that the european release of that drive is delayed,since no upcoming firmware can fully fix the numerous problems....but according to it's specs,this should've been one of the best....so,as you see,no easy answer..

 

[StressTest]

Thank you for taking the time to post your thoughts.

Yes that is a disappointment concerning the Plextor. I currently have the Plextor 708a and it's been a great drive for me. It would have been nice to continue with the plextor but I have also heard it's plaqued with issues. I'll go ahead and take a look at the NEC and probably hold off on any of the others, unless of course I hear from others here that sway my decision.

BTW, does anyone have any data concerning the Sony drive that is dual layer?

Thanks again,

 

[Duracell]

BTW, does anyone have any data concerning the Sony drive that is dual layer?

not sure but i think, i had read here, the Sony is an labeled Pioneer;
try to use our search function;

Greetings from
Duracell

 

[scarecrow]

Aren't all new Sony DVD burners made by Lite-On?

 

[LTR12101B]

Aren't all new Sony DVD burners made by Lite-On?

According to all the firmware hackers they are...
The DRU-700A is a SOHW-832S, and the DRU710A is a SOHW-1633S - with apparently a firmware upgrade to 4x DL and 12x -R (SOHW-1653S) to come.

The Liteon based writers seem to win more friends with their capability for PI/PIF error scanning, than their quality of burns - if you want a better drive that does both, and jitter scan as well, try BENQ - probably the best compromise between being able to test, and making reasonable burns.

Actually, the Liton can get decent results if you take more care in media selection than you would for a "burn anything" Pioneer, but most media that Liteon burns well, other drives will do as well or better.

 

[zver]

Aren't all new Sony DVD burners made by Lite-On?

Yes bud,it was a big ann. at sony kinda like that manufacturing is expensive ande drives are cheap so thyey stopped the making it,and all sony do is buying from liteon..

 

[StressTest]

So in comparing the Sony, Liteon, NEC, Plextor and LG, which has the thumbs up for best/fastest/highest quality CDRW/DVD-R/+R Dual Layer burner?

So far, from what I'm hearing the NEC is a good bet.

Any and all replies are still welcome here as I've not made a purchase yet.

 

[woody]

The Benq has excellent write quality,as well as 4X DL capabilities.Pioneer is alway a safe bet.Add NEC to the mix..think you have the top 3.

 

[woody]

Oh...I also have the 708A,mine works just fine too.

Also have a Benq.It is excellent with dvd+r,probably best write quality.Only downside is dvd-r.It could be better.Only use it with dvd+r.Bitsetting(supported),is a requirement for dvd+r.Hope that helps.

 

[StressTest]

Great! Thank You!

I know this may be a little off topic but what media is everyone using with these drives and where are you all getting this media?

I see that newegg has the riteck media that's 2.4X but is there anything faster and or better?

BTW, I went ahead and purchased the NEC not more than 15 minutes ago.

Thanks to all who responded.

 

[LTR12101B]

At the moment, 4x DL is 4x on selected 2.4x media - you need a review or media list to find out which the drive can use at 4x

 

[woody]

Check the reviews here for media.Not many people using DL yet,though.

 

[Almighty1]

That's not easy to tell......,there's no drive that has no problems with specific media and other shortcomings are common.....
ATM,the Nec ND3500A is considered as 1 of the best available for now,but this can change tommorrow when a new kid on the block arrives...Also the LG GSA-4160B is known for it's great writing performance..
The long awaited Plextor 716 is a dissapointment,the US release is full of bugs....even so many,that the european release of that drive is delayed,since no upcoming firmware can fully fix the numerous problems....but according to it's specs,this should've been one of the best....so,as you see,no easy answer..

How is the Plextor now since it's been released? Is the Plextor a NEC drive? Also, who OEMs the Pioneer drive?

 

[roadworker]

How is the Plextor now since it's been released? Is the Plextor a NEC drive? Also, who OEMs the Pioneer drive?

1.The Plextor is getting better with every firmware update,but still not 1 of the best.
2.I don't think so.
3.the Asus DRW-1604P is an oem Pioneer DVR-108.

 

[Almighty1]

1.The Plextor is getting better with every firmware update,but still not 1 of the best.
2.I don't think so.
3.the Asus DRW-1604P is an oem Pioneer DVR-108.

I had to ask since I just bought a Plextor PX-716UF two days ago. Had to return my Sony DRX710UL as the USB interface bridge update killed the drive. I was reading somewhere that the Plextor was just a modified NEC as only NEC/Plextor has both the DVD+-R at 16x. I think Plextor does have something no one else has in a -+ format Dual Layer drive though and that the latest firmware supports Dual Layer DVD-R burning.

So Pioneer actually makes their own drives and doesn't use someone elses drives?

 

[dx]

So Pioneer actually makes their own drives and doesn't use someone elses drives?

Correct. Pioneer is a drive manufacturer. They OEMs out their drives for others to rebrand as their own. Asus is but one of them.

 

[LTR12101B]

There are FAR fewer actual drive makers than rebrands.

Liteon, for instance, have a partnership with Sony, but Liteon drives are also found branded as TEAC, MEMOREX, GIGABYTE and several others.

BTC also have several rebrands, eg. Emprex and Pikaone

NEC also have several rebrands, such as Mad Dog

To complicate things, some rebranders use different OEMs for different models.


The actual makers are:
Pioneer, Plextor, Liteon, NEC, BTC - and probably only about 2 or 3 more.

Some of the big names have found the crashing prices too hot to handle - I believe RICOH are either out of the production side, or are leaving it soon - it happened with media, other than the notable exception of TY, the cheap producers and up driving out the better quality ones - lets just hope it doesn't happen with the drives, as the most rebranded, Liteon, definitely need to work on their burn quality and drive to drive consistency.

 

[Almighty1]

Correct. Pioneer is a drive manufacturer. They OEMs out their drives for others to rebrand as their own. Asus is but one of them.

It wouldn't be surprising since Pioneer was the company that made all the DVD-R/-RW drives originally.

 

[Almighty1]

There are FAR fewer actual drive makers than rebrands.

Liteon, for instance, have a partnership with Sony, but Liteon drives are also found branded as TEAC, MEMOREX, GIGABYTE and several others.

BTC also have several rebrands, eg. Emprex and Pikaone

NEC also have several rebrands, such as Mad Dog

To complicate things, some rebranders use different OEMs for different models.


The actual makers are:
Pioneer, Plextor, Liteon, NEC, BTC - and probably only about 2 or 3 more.

Some of the big names have found the crashing prices too hot to handle - I believe RICOH are either out of the production side, or are leaving it soon - it happened with media, other than the notable exception of TY, the cheap producers and up driving out the better quality ones - lets just hope it doesn't happen with the drives, as the most rebranded, Liteon, definitely need to work on their burn quality and drive to drive consistency.

I thought Plextor no longer made any of their drives after the SCSI drives since weren't the earlier CDR/CDRW bruners from Plextor all made by Sanyo just like the TDK's were? And I remember reading somewhere that the Plextor was just a NEC.