I cannot find a thread on the topic that so many questions are on. So I figured that I would start this thread and hopefully only a few well-thought out responses will be posted and maybe this can eventually be a sticky.
Basic questions:
1) Should I buy dvd-r or dvd+r discs? Why?
2) which brand is best to buy?
3) list the top 3 or 4 examples of what you would consider the best discs to buy so I can go to SuperMediaStore or MeritLine.com and buy them.
For example, I know that Taiyo Yuden seem to be considered the best blank dvds to buy. Please list exactly what to look for when buying these.
4) I saw someone post that they suggest using +R discs and "bitset them (make them tell the player they're DVD-ROM discs instead of recordables)" because that's supposed to make the discs 100% compatible with standalone players.
If #4 is correct, then we should all just buy +R discs, right? IF yes, then please explain in step by step instructions exactly how to do this "bit setting."
Thanks in advance for accurate responses and I bet that if this thread is answered by a few of the pros and stickied, then it will end these repeat posts about what type of discs to buy.
P.S. the thread on codes is next to useless for newbies. Let's create a basic explanation to spoon-feed newbies.
1. i would reccomend DVD+R in order to booktype them to dvd-rom (PLEASE note that not all dvd burners are able to do this, you'll have to check) if you can't booktype, buy DVD-R. you'll save some money compared to DVD+R discs and DVD-R is generally more compatible than +r.
2. i only use taiyo yuden discs now, after trying several brands. verbatim is also very good. i think most people will agree with that. but if you find a cheaper brand that works well on your burner and players, i say go with that.
3. this really depends on what your are looking for. i buy taiyo yuden DVD+R 8x injet printables. if you want to print directly on the discs like i do, you can't beat these(you need a special printer). maybe you want to burn at 12x or even 16x (maybe not for movies, but data), then you would get ones that can write at higher speed. let me know what you need to use them for and i can give you exact model discs.
4. your statement is true. if you can bitset/booktype, then DVD+R is the way to go (i recently learned this myself) i have a plextor drive which can bookype, so i do that now. you can have Nero set to booktype to dvd-rom or my burner has plextools in which i can change settings. you'll have to find out what your burner is capable of before i can give you a step by step (it may not be possible at all)
so, post your dvd burner model and what you want to do with it (backup dvds, burn data, etc) and i'll help you out.
I've been looking at getting the BenQ DQ60...does that allow for the booktype that you're talking about? I'm real curious to learn more about this process...as I've been backing up EVERYTHING for the last few years and just recently ran into the first one I can't "crack" perfectly (Polar Express)...it sounds like this DVD+R into DVD-ROM might be the safest route. Currently I use AnyDVD and CloneDVD....is the booktyping an option with those programs?
yes that drive will booktype. i haven't used that drive so i'm not sure how you would set it to bookype, but it is possible. if you use Nero, you can just tell it to booktype in your burning options. have fun.
I'm curently using a LiteOn 411S...do you know if that one will do it and how to? Now that I think about it, it would be kinda nice to experiment before buying a new drive...to get an idea of how it goes. Thanks!
Before worrying about booktype, best verify that the DVD player that you intend to use can play DVD+R.]
If it can't, then no amount of booktyping will get around that fact.
Don't assume that 'all new players' will recognize +R.
My experience with Philips and Toshiba (purchased in 2005)is that +R are unuseable, in fact the Toshiba manual states flat out that non compatible disks (they define compatible as DVD-R), even though made to look like a DVD rom, will not work -and they don't.
@ all that need to know go to www.videohelp.com to see what kind of dvd types your stand alone and portable dvd players can use and also mostly all Lite On drives have the booktyping option
