DVD RW types ?

[RobStubbs]

I took the plunge and bought a new PC and very pleased with it I am too ! It has a DVD RW drive built in but I cannot work out what DVD's I should buy (and if I can also use CD RW's).

 

The drive is listed as "DVD1RW (+R Double layer)" on their website - so does that mean it will take DVD +RW's and presumably the +RW double layer ones as well (and CD +RW's) ?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Rob.

[chesters1]

most modern drives will run anything but watch what you maybe putting the copies on! older dvd players prefer - (minus) unfortunately the dual layer blank dvd's are still expensive to buy

Edited June 5, 2007 by chesters1

[RobStubbs]

For now I want to use something for personal backups, I don't intend using them to distribute stuff on. From the amount of data I can get on them, the cheaper DVD RW's look more than adequate.

 

Cheers,

 

Rob.

[IanR]

RW disks (CD or DVD) are not the most reliable medium for backups, or anything else. Also, they can only be read by machines with packet writing software installed (such as Nero InCD or Roxio Direct CD). You'd be better off using +R disks.

 

 

Cheers

 

Ian.

[RobStubbs]

RW disks (CD or DVD) are not the most reliable medium for backups, or anything else. Also, they can only be read by machines with packet writing software installed (such as Nero InCD or Roxio Direct CD). You'd be better off using +R disks.

Cheers

 

Ian.

 

I'm not thinking true backup, more things like copying photo's onto disk to prevent losing them all when things crash and likewise for some of my more important documents.

 

Rob.

[Dave-C]

If you let me know make and number of your writer I'll let you know about duel layer. No matter what speed it's capable of writing at try using no faster than 4x or it can miss files or fail all together, depending on wether or not you continue to use you pc while writing and your power supply wattage. + discs tend to work better with most modern dvd reader and players and your writer should recognise which disc you use. Some dvd recorders will only play -discs so if you want to see your pics on tv use those and make a slide show.

[IanR]

Rob

 

If you want to back up photographs, etc, DO NOT USE R/W disks. They are prone to failure. Use the write once variety, and make two copies.

 

Just my two pennies.

 

 

Cheers

 

Ian.

[corydoras]

RW disks (CD or DVD) are not the most reliable medium for backups, or anything else. Also, they can only be read by machines with packet writing software installed (such as Nero InCD or Roxio Direct CD). You'd be better off using +R disks.

Cheers

 

Ian.

This is just not true. You can make a DVD-RW withe Nero 6 that will work in most PCs runninh 98SE or better as long as the DVD drive has the RW logo on it. I use DVD-RWs when I am experimenting with a new DVD so that I don't waste any DVD-R disks. All of my set top boxes will also read DVD-RWs as long as the disk has been 'finalised'.

[IanR]

OK, I lied. (Not really )

 

Which bit is not true?

 

But, quote: "CDRW discs, especially when used with packet writing, are not a

reliable backup mechanism. You'd be better off using CDRs and

mastering, rather than packet writing."

 

from http://www.futurehardware.in/126250.htm

 

"I used to use DirectCD to copy files onto cds instead of always burning and erasing and burning and erasing RWs. That stopped when my formatted disks all slowly began to die and I lost the data. Now I've learned about how unreliable packet writing software is and don't plan on using them anymore."

 

From: http://forums.support.roxio.com/lofiversio....php/t8268.html

 

And many more.

 

Plus my own experience.

 

If you want to entrust your data to RW media, then feel free. I will not.

 

Thanks Cory.

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Ian.

Edited June 8, 2007 by IanR

[Peter Sharpe]

I have a massive collection of photographs dating back several years, that I dig out and re-use regularly. I have yet to come across a single dud, although they are not on re-writables. They are too slow to write anyway - and more expensive.