I am new to the world of DVD burning. Last week, I purchased a Optorite dd0203 burner and I'm going insane deciding which DVD media to buy. The more I read, the crazier I get with all the different opinions.
From all I have read, it seems the -R/-RW is more compatible with stand alone DVD players and the +R/+RW is better media for higher speed recording.
Specifically, I have a Harman Kardon DVD100 and a Mitsubishi DD6030 to watch DVD's. For me, DVD's will be used mostly on stand alone DVD players. I do not enjoy watching movies on my computer screen.
I do not know what brand of DVD-R/-RW to purchase. The optorite website has several media types listed for this drive, but it is very difficult to find anywhere selling the exact media they suggest.
I am looking to you guys who currently own and use a DD0203 for VERY accurate answers towards my two questions.
1st - What brand and speed DVD-R/-RW media will best work in this writer?
2nd - What brand software (please include version number too) works best with this writer?
Recording time, media cost and software cost are NOT a concern to me so much as my concern for a perfectly working DVD.
I used the following discs with the DD0203 without problem as long as you don't put DVD-R discs in most PC DVD-ROM drives:
CompUSA DVD-R (Princo) at 2X
Ritek DVD-R (RITEKG04) at 4X
Memorex DVD-R (CMC) at 4X
TDK DVD+R (RICOHJPNR01) at 4X
Memorex DVD+R (RICOHJPNR01) at 4X
Fujifilm DVD+R (RICOHJPNR00) at 2.4X
ComUSA DVD+RW (Optodisc) at 2.4X
If you want the media that is most compatible with stand alone players than stick to the higher grade media like the Ritek's, Fuji's, Verbatim's and TDK's etc...I have had great success with Princo's as well but you will find that opinions vary on the Princo's. The best in my opinion though is the 4X Ritek G04 since you will get them to burn at 4X in the optorite and generally not get any coasters or unusable discs.
I wanted to list my outcome for anyone that may benefit from my experience. My selection of DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW around here is VERY limited. Best Buy, Circuit City and CompUSA are a solid 60+ minute drive and Walmart is a short drive away. Most of the time, my life is to busy for 60+ minute trek, so I decided to used what DVD's were available at my mighty Walmart Supercenter. I did not want to order media in large numbers until I experienced defenite sucess myself.
Using the DD0203 burner, I backed up seven DVD's with both Memorex 4X DVD-R and Memorex 4X DVD+RW media. I used DVD shrink 2.3 and DVD Decrypter 3.1 for my DVD-9's and DVD Decrypter alone for my DVD-5's. Unlike the complexities of neverending settings throughout Nero 6, I found DVD Decrypter 3.1.7.0 extremely simple, uder friendly and hassle free. There are a tons of advanced setting within DVD Decrypter 3.1.7.0 too, but I let the software make all the choices it could.
I simply ripped the DVD's to ISO images, then burned the ISO images to DVD. I only used settings that were default or automatically chosen by DVD Decrypter 3.1.7.0.
From all the threads I have read, Nero 6 appeared to be the ulitimate software which has an ultimate price tag to match. After spending the money on Nero 6, I still chose the DVD Decrypter 3.1.7.0. It can be downloaded with no limitation for free at http://www.dvddecrypter.com/download.asp
My success was 7 out of 7 at 2X speed with the 2.16 firmware installed on Windows XP Professional. My success was 0/1 at 4X speed. Whether it was the brand of media, software or or the settings I will never know. Regardless, I am very happy with all my results.
Afterdawn, thanks for all the input you provide and a bigger THANK YOU to everyone who takes the time and energy to post it!
