What DVD burner to buy?

[HV30newbie]

Hello all,

what DVD burner do you suggest I purchase with my new HV30 that I just ordered? I have none and would like to use it to burn DVDs as well as make copies of my wedding DVD.

I'm struggling bc I'm on an old PC and TV (for now - will upgrade those next year) (ie a Pentium 4 3 GHtz with 2GB Ram). I do not want to do editing yet - just be able to burn the DVDs (I guess I'll have to downgrade them for now, but that's OK since I can do the HD stuff next year).

Hope I'm in the right place to post this - sorry if not!

[Lunchbox]

Hi HV30newbie, welcome to the forum. Please spend some time to read the FAQ. It has lots of good info there.

http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=3058

Also, try to post your question to the appropriate subform. I'm moving this thread to the PC editing subforum for you.

DVD burners are pretty cheap. Check out Newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...CD-DVD-Burners

The LG burner seems great.

[HV30newbie]

Thanks a ton, Lunchbox. I'm starting to read the FAQ - awesome. So happy to have found this place. Can't wait to get the camera.

THanks a ton for the suggestions...awesome. CHecking them out already.

[tiny]

I just ordered this one for my new computer build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136144

A burner is a burner. Sometimes you get a lemon and other times you get a good one. Just find a cheap one and it will likely do what it is supposed to do.

[CycleWriter]

A burner is a burner. Sometimes you get a lemon and other times you get a good one. Just find a cheap one and it will likely do what it is supposed to do.

I disagree. Don't mistake cheap for inexpensive. Buying a cheap, no-name burner means you're likely stuck with it as is. Better brand name drives will often see firmware upgrades over the first 2 years since its manufacture. These firmware updates can sometimes include compatibility with newer standards, elevation of record/read speeds and ability to use more brands and ratings of recording media. In the case of LightScribe drives a firmware upgrade unlocked more features for my LG drive a year ago that enhanced its contrast. And it was free from the manufacturer.

[Fred Dwyer]

I've got Sony and Plextor burners. The Sony's have performed VERY poorly. I wouldn't touch another if you paid me. The Plextor has been solid as a rock. I would recommend Plextor to anyone who asked.

[elantric]

I would be looking for a Blu Ray Burner myself - but you need a less than 2 year old computer.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters?...&Search=Search

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827248014

[pitonyak]

In the past, I have had good luck with OEM Samsung drives. I had an older (few years) OEM Samsung drive that handled anything single layer with no problems. OK, I have four of these drives that I purchased at the same time. I tried burning DL (dual layer) disks on one of these drives (and I only tried on one, since I only edit video on one computer) and it was not able to burn much of anything DL.

I purchased a new OEM Samsung, and it burned everything at 50%. Meaning, I threw away 50% of what I tried to burn. Single layer, dual layer, it did not matter. The truth of the matter is that the drive was probably bad. I purchased a Plextor drive, and it has not burned a bad disk in either single or dual layer.

OK, so that is sample quantity of one, but, it is not as nice as it appears. it looks like it is just a rebranded drive. Not sure if it is a Nec or an LG. I just noticed that I can purchase it for $25 after rebate (and I paid $75, go figure).

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...32388&csid=_21

Notice that this drive does NOT include a cable <sigh>.

[HV30newbie]

Wow there is so much to learn and consider. Perhaps I better try to find a solid local place that copies DVDs...whew.

Thanks all again. I'm going to be doing a lot of reading off this site! So glad I found it!

[CycleWriter]

Thanks all again. I'm going to be doing a lot of reading off this site! So glad I found it!

So are we. Now pay your membership dues.