Which DVD rewriter is best please?

Jeff121

I need a DVD rewriter for my pc, considering one of these 2 models, can anyone tell me which one is best or recommend another model?

DVD Writers: HP DVD640i Lightscribe DVD±RW Writer Kit + 5 Free HP LighScribe DVD+Rs


Get 5 Free HP DVD+R Lightscribe Disc To Try With Every Purchase..Lightscribe lets you burn graphics on to your Media with the DVD drives laser....




Special Offer Price: £54.49 (EUR 79.01)
Was: £74.99 (EUR 108.74)
Item Number: BUR2081
Pack Size: 1
Condition: Brand New
Warranty: Yes
Despatch Time: Usually ships same working day
(UK mainland only)*
Availability: IN STOCK
More: DVD Writers
Prices Include VAT





Price 1 Unit @ £54.49

Manufacturer HP
Model DVD640i
Colour Black
Interface ATAPI EIDE
What is LightScribe? Rather than using inks or labels, the Lightscribe method uses the laser similar to burning to the disk. Once you have created your disk you simply open the drawer, turn the disk over, close the drawer and run the label software. A greyscale image of the “label” is then burnt to the topside of the disk. This technology will only work on disks that are designed for this process. Verbatim now have an agreement with HP (the pioneers of the Lightscribe technology) to produce this new media, initially these disks will be monochrome, with the possible intention of becoming colour in the future. LightScribe is easy: just burn your CD or DVD, then flip the disc over and burn a label

•LightScribe can't peel off, get stuck, or cause disc damage the way paper labels can.
•Use text, photos, and even pre-set designs,
for beautiful results.
•No pens, no ink, no printer, and no sticky labels.
Specification Compatibility
•Device write media compatibility: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R, DVD-RW media

•Device read media compatibility: DVD-ROM, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-Video, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA, CD Extra, CD-ROM (Mode 1 – Yellow Book), CD-ROM XA & CD-I (Mode 2/Form 2 – Green Book), Photo-CD (single and multi-session), VCD, CD-Text

Drive Performance
•Write: CD-R: up to 40x (CAV or P-CAV); CD-RW up to 24x (Z-CLV); DVD+R up to 16x (CAV); DVD+R DL 2.4x (CLV); DVD+RW
DVD+RW up to 4x (CLV); DVD-R up to 8x (Z-CLV); DVD-RW up to 4X (CLV)

•Read: CD-ROM up to 40x (CAV); DVD-ROM up to 16x (CAV)
•LightScribe labeling approximate times: Setting Title Only Title & content Full label (w/ graphics)
Best <4 min. <9 min. <36 min.
Normal min. <7 min. <28 min.
Draft <2 min. <4 min. <20 min.
•Sustained transfer: 1x CD = 150 KB/s
(data mode 1); 1x DVD = 1353 KB/s
•Burst transfer rate: 33 MB/sec
•Access time: 160 ms avg random access (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM)
•Disc finalization time: DVD: <2 minutes at 4x (DVD+R single-layer disc); CD: <1 minute typical
•Spin up time: 6 Seconds
•RIP speed: Extract a 4-minute audio track in less than 15 seconds, 16x minimum
•Mean time between failures (MTBF): 70,000 POH at 25ºC;
•Reliability: Audio, Data Mode 2, and Mode 2 Form 2: < 1 uncorrectable frame in 10-9 bits read; Data Mode 1 and Mode 2 Form 1:
< 1 uncorrected frame in 10-12 bits read.

Includes HP DVD Writer dvd630i internal IDE drive with buffer underrun prevention technology
•Software CD including electronic user’s guide
•Quick-Start placemat, Getting Help guide
•Installation screws
Software Included •ArcSoft ShowBiz™
(for video capture and editing, DVD video creation, photo/video slideshows, and LightScribe labeling)
•Sonic™ RecordNow™ (for creating music and
data discs, and for LightScribe labeling)
•CyberLink® PowerDVD™ (for DVD playback)
•SureThing (for LightScribe labeling)





DW-D22A Dual Layer Black 16X DVD +/-R/RW oem Main Features
Product Specification
Customer Reviews


£29.10 ex. £34.19 inc.
WAS £40.65 ex.
Itemcode: 10277838
Sony Corporation Part Number: DW-D22A
Availability: TBA [E-mail me when in stock]
Add to my PriceWatch
Savapoints: 29

Customer Rating Quantity:

Product Details

Specification

Supported format
DVD single/dual layer (PTP/OTP), DVD-R (3.9Gb/4.7Gb), DVD-R multi-borders, DVD+R, DVD+R multi-sessions, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM/XA, Photo-CD, Multi-session, Karaoke-CD, Video-CD, CD-I FMV, CD Extra, CD Plus, CD-R, CD-RW

Write Speed
DVD+R DL: 2.4x max
DVD+R: 16x max
DVD+RW: 4x max
DVD-R: 8x max
DVD-RW: 4x max
CD-R: 48x max
CD-RW: 24x max

Read Speed
CD-ROM: 48x Max
DVD-ROM: 16x Max

Buffer Size
2Mb

Interface
ATAPI/E-IDE

Random Access Time
DVD-ROM: 105 ms
CD-ROM: 110 ms

Data Transfer Rate
DVD Family: 1x (21600 KB/sec) max
CD Family: 48x (7200 KB/sec) max

System Requirements
Pentium III 450MHz or faster CPU
128Mb or higher RAM
650Mb HDD available capacity
5Gb free space for creating a DVD image file

OS Requirements
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP

Features
Supported Double Layer DVD+R9 Recording Function
SMART-BURN avoiding Buffer UnderRun Error

gk172

Is your second option a sony? i just bought the DWD26A for £39 and it doesnt seem to be as fussy with what discs it burns or reads, we have had a couple of writers liteon/pioneer and sony and found the liteon to reject some discs but both the sony and pioneer took them all and reads and writes with ease even discs the other had rejected.

Jeff121

Before seeing the HP model had decided on Sony but as HP is also a good brand and this model allows you to write a label on the disc made it an attractive runner up however don't know anyone who has this HP model and wondered if it was reliable and maybe untested and complicated? Will likely go for Sony unless someone can recommend HP. Have lots of Sony Audio Video TV etc throughout the house and am confident in reliability of Sony products.
You said that you have a Sony DWD26A, is this higher up the range than the DWD22A that I looked at? If so where did you buy it from?
Thanks Jeff

drlight_2

Have a look at this

HP DVD640i

djohn2002uk

The DWD22A is an OEM version which I am using and am very pleased with it so far. No probs and no coasters. But I think it has been superceded by the DWD23AB2 now. Probably why the price has dropped. The DWD23AB2 is available at £39.99.

Jeff121

Thanks guys, wasn't sure about the HP but having read the reviews, link posted by drlight, thanks, will go for the HP, its only £15 more than the Sony and I'll be able to ditch the magic marker, fingers crossed that's its as good as it sounds!

gk172

Jeff121 wrote:

Before seeing the HP model had decided on Sony but as HP is also a good brand and this model allows you to write a label on the disc made it an attractive runner up however don't know anyone who has this HP model and wondered if it was reliable and maybe untested and complicated? Will likely go for Sony unless someone can recommend HP. Have lots of Sony Audio Video TV etc throughout the house and am confident in reliability of Sony products.
You said that you have a Sony DWD26A, is this higher up the range than the DWD22A that I looked at? If so where did you buy it from?
Thanks Jeff

I bought it from budget computers in glasgow which is semi local to me for £38 but you can get it HERE and too be honest i never looked at the hp one as i allready had the epson r200 printer which prints onto disc anyway.

-TangleFoot-

Jeff121 wrote:

fingers crossed that's its as good as it sounds!

It is as good as it sounds, though the special LightScribe-compatible discs for it are likely to be a little more expensive than the usual stuff, at least for the moment.

Here's hoping that it doesn't go the way of so many other good ideas!

Nex0

I do like my pioneer writers ive had lots now and they have never let me down.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=84320

Jeff121

"Change of mind" having thought that the HP with its "lightscribe" capability seemed like a good idea and a step forward then having tried to price their blanc discs cannot find any to buy, well certainly not blanc DVD only came across blanc CD's in my search. Better go for either the Sony or Pioneer model, both are about the same price and spec looks similar.

wolfman

The LG GSA-4163B and NEC ND35xx are the best writers on the market at the moment. The LG edges the NEC. I've got an NEC ND3500 and have never had a problem. A friend of mine has the LG though and says it's excellent. Have a look at this link for more information:

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Home.aspx?ArticleTypeId=2&SubCategoryId=32