CD/DVD ROMS

[blze]

ASUS DVD

and

ASUS DVD BURNER

These look good to me I just dont know what speeds
and cache are industry "norms". much wb if you can
help me out. mew.

 

[Puppet]

Sounds like a job for Super Heaton or "The Rock"

 

[Crisis]

Yeah I'll get on that, I just got back from Colorado.

 

[Crisis]

Okay, well first things you have a DVD reader and a DVD writer there.

ASUS makes pretty solid products across the board.

The first drive link you listed is just a 16xDVD-ROM (Read only, no writing). 16x is the fastest DVD Reading speed available.

The second drive you posted is a Dual-Layer DVD writer.
Without going into too much depth here's a run down.
The drive supports all DVD writing formats:

DVD-R/RW, this is the standard created mainly by Pioneer. A great standard and compatible with over 90% of set-top DVD players, like your X-Box or stand alone DVD player (including older ones).

DVD+R/RW, this is the standard created mainly by SONY. This standard isn't supported as well by older set-tip DVD players, but most DVD players within the past year or so will support it. Mainly the DVD+ provided faster times in writing video DVD's.

Dual Layer, okay DVD+ and DVD- both write a maximum of 4.3GB of data per writable DVD. Dual Layer can write 8.5GB of data to a Dual-Layer writeable DVD.

Dual Layer DVD's basically write to a primary surface of the disk and then a surface behind that, they are compatible with most set-top DVD players.

DVD- or + writeable disc:
=Top layer, where you write the label=
-Writable surface-
=Scratch layer=

Dual Layer disc:
=Top layer=
-Secondary write surface-
=Refocusing layer=
-Primary write surface-
=Scratch layer=

If you get both, you will be able to copy DVD's on the fly. Which means that you don't need to copy the data to your computers hard-drive first. This is faster but doesn't always produce the best quality when copying DVD Movies.

*When I say set-top players, that include regular DVD-ROM (read only drives for you computer). Also I may be a little off in my little disc diagram but you get the idea from it.

Also, if you're looking to make copies of DVDs..for backup use...I can provide you with information on that...of course that's just for your knowledge, I do not intend and do not condone you removing DVD encryption to make copies of movies illegally.

 

[blze]

THANK YOU! that clears up a lot. the main reason i would have
DVD Read Only Rom is bc of the speed it can run cd's at. i dont
have any reason to burn dvd to dvd--is my thinking off in this
regard?

also, can DVD burner (the second link) burn cd's (music) as well?

my thinking is this-- I have 2 really outdated roms, one is dvd/cd
reader and the other is cd burner. i dont even have dvd drivers on
my machine right now but it just seems that "technology" is moving
to the dvd format (size, mainly) and that dvd roms at 16x can spin
cd's at like 48x or even 52x which is like 5 times what mine do right
now. is there any reason to NOT get a dvd reader (first link) for just
everyday use? i mean, for $26.....am i gonna lose any capabilities
that a regular cd rom would have?

thanks again, mew.

 

[Crisis]

Yes, a DVD writer can also write CDs and CD-RWs.

The second ASUS drive you have linked can do the following:

Write Speeds:
DVD-R: 16X, 12X, 8X, 6X, 4X, 2X, 1X
DVD-RW: 6X, 4X, 2X, 1X
DVD+R: 16X, 12X, 8X, 6X, 4X, 2.4X
DVD+RW: 8X, 6X, 4X, 2.4X
DVD+R(DL): 6X, 4X, 2,4X
DVD-R (DL): 6X, 4X, 2X
CD-R: 40X, 32X, 16X, 10X, 4X
CD-RW: 24X, 20X, 16X, 10X, 4X

Read Speed:
DVD-ROM (Single): 16X max. (CAV)
DVD-ROM (Dual): 12X max. (CAV)
CD-ROM: 40X max. (CAV)

As far as purchasing goes, I would say go for a DVD writer (although you don't have to get a Dual Layer burner). Although I have a slot-loading DVD ROM (16x) a 24x CD-RW and an 8x DVD-/+RW drive, I only use the DVD writer on my desktop.

In a question of choosing between a DVD-ROM and a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM is a better choice, just because they are not only cheap but it gives you the option to read DVDs.

 

[blze]

rgr that, thx again.