Which DVD+-RW recorder should I get?

[yogi99]

I want to buy a DVD+-RW recorder that can also record dual layer dvd+r disc (dvd9). I heard NEC ND-2510A is pretty good and cheap for this need. Does anyone know the CPU requirement for NEC ND-2510A DVD+-RW recorder? Will my Pentium 3 733 MHz computer be able to use this? Are there any other recorder that will record dual layer dvd+r beside this one and Sony's 700A drive (cost around $200 at bestbuy)?

I went to bestbuy a few weeks ago and saw a lot of dvd+-rw recorders require 800+ MHz for CPU. So does this mean that those recorders won't run on my 733 MHz PC? Or is 800+ MHz only required to run some softwares bundled with those recorders?

Can someone recommend some dvd+-rw recorders that will work on a Pentium 3 733 MHz computer? Thanks a lot.

[daphatty]

I have the NEC 2500a which is essentially the same thing and I love it! I can burn Dual Layer DVDs with the hacked firmware as well as burn 4x media at 6x and 8x. I HIGHLY recommend this drive in combination with the aftermarket firmware.

[alongx]

I have a Sony DRU510A (I think that's the model number at least), and it's fantastic.

[Gameboy415]

I got the Sony the week it came out and I've never been so happy that I bought something. I've made so many DVDs for myself, friends and school and all of them play perfectly, even in my PS2.

Unfortunately the req's are Pentium 3 800 MHz, 128 Gb of RAM, and 1GB of free Hard Drive space.

Um.....glad I could help? :?

[Steggy]

daphatty would u please provide me with a link as to where/how i can hack the firmware? Ifd love to burn dual layer discs with that drive. Thanks man.

[daphatty]

Wow I just noticed your system specs. You'd be hard pressed to not have issues regardless of the brand. Problem is you need a system strong enough to keep the buffer full while you are burning. Burning CDs is easy because you are dealing with smaller amounts of data. DVDs however are a different story. The faster burn, the more data has to be pumped into the buffer. If your system can't handle that then you'll end up with alot of coasters. DVDs are cheaper these days but still too expensive to create tons of coasters IMO.

[daphatty]

daphatty would u please provide me with a link as to where/how i can hack the firmware? Ifd love to burn dual layer discs with that drive. Thanks man.

The forums over at CDFreaks.com are a great resource for those of you interested in overclocking your CD and DVD Burners. Not every burner can be overclocked but at least you can find out which ones can be.

Here is the link (http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=87413) to the NEC 2500a beta firmware's released by a guy named Herrie. He's one of the Mods at CDFreaks. The link contains a list of the three most recent firmwares available, Beta 4, 5 and 6. Beta 4 (which is the one I am using) is the best one for compatibility but does not support Dual Layer. Beta 5 is Beta 4 with Dual Layer support. Beta 6 is Beta 5 WITHOUT bitsetting. (Don't ask me what that is. I've read on the topic several times and still don't get it.)

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=87413

[yogi99]

Wow I just noticed your system specs. You'd be hard pressed to not have issues regardless of the brand. Problem is you need a system strong enough to keep the buffer full while you are burning. Burning CDs is easy because you are dealing with smaller amounts of data. DVDs however are a different story. The faster burn, the more data has to be pumped into the buffer. If your system can't handle that then you'll end up with alot of coasters. DVDs are cheaper these days but still too expensive to create tons of coasters IMO.

Can you tell me the minimum requirement or optimum requirement (CPU MHz, RAM, HDD space ... etc) I need to burn dvd without coaster with NEC 2500 or NEC 2510A? So my Pentium 3 733, 256 MB ram, 30 GB hdd PC is too slow to burn dvd r? If it is too slow then I'll have to buy a new PC. Been thinking about it for a long time.

[daphatty]

I'd say a BARE minimum 1 Ghz PC but if you are still stuck at 733 you really should go after the low to mid 2Ghz range. Anything less and you are looking at an upgrade in less than a year.

[Steggy]

damn i have a msi and cant find a firmware hack for it :(

[Graystone]

are dual layer blank dvd-/+r's out yet I have only seen single layer everywhere I go.

[daphatty]

damn i have a msi and cant find a firmware hack for it :(

Aw man I thought you had an NEC.... It's possible your MSI is actually made by someone else. Otherwise get an NEC 2500a! :D They are dirt cheap at www.newegg.com right now. I think they are below the $60 mark.

are dual layer blank dvd-/+r's out yet I have only seen single layer everywhere I go.

I've heard reports from various PC news websites that they are available but rediculously expensive. I'd say by the fall you should see them readily available. Cost effective is a different story. :D

[yogi99]

are dual layer blank dvd-/+r's out yet I have only seen single layer everywhere I go.

I heard they will be out this summer in Japan and will have a price of $12 per disc. Also read that Verbatim is making dvd+r dual layer discs. Should be here at USA later on of the year hopefully.

[guyver2077]

I have the NEC 2500a which is essentially the same thing and I love it! I can burn Dual Layer DVDs with the hacked firmware as well as burn 4x media at 6x and 8x. I HIGHLY recommend this drive in combination with the aftermarket firmware.


hey daphatty would you recommend this one? is it the one you have??

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-012&depa=1

[daphatty]

Yep that's exacty the one I have. Even the same color! :D