I'm not up on all the meanings of +RW -RW etc etc.

I was thinking of getting this one

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK

Specifications:
Write Speed: 8X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 8X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 2.4X DVD+R DL, 32X CD-R, 16X CD-RW
Read Speed: 40X CD-ROM, 12X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
Features: Support for writing DVD+R DL; Vertical operation possible, anti-dust seal.
Packaging: OEM Bulk Pack (No Software Included)

I want to use it for backups and copying dvd's would be nice. I'm not overly concerned with speed, I guess.

Thanks for any input.

If i were you, i would spend the extra $10-$20 and get a dual layer drive. They cost almost about the same as the faster single layer dvd burners and while media is not readily available for the dual layer burners, and while it may be pretty expensive, I think its something you would not want to be without come next year. + and - are just different formats, different compatibility - like vhs and beta. one is not better than the other, but specific dvd players/xboxes/ps2s like certain formats more. I prefer dvd+r more, but most people like dvd-r. RW just means rewritable, only on special disks.

EDIT: never mind, that one is dual layer. i need to read more closely. 8x burns in about 7.5minutes for an entire single layer disk. I guess if that one is the right price, go for it. I just ordered a pioneer dvr-109 which cost like $20 more, but the speeds are mostly double that of yours. i've been using a 2.4x dvd+r so excess speed is definitely going to be a nice


I'm not up on all the meanings of +RW -RW etc etc.

I was thinking of getting this one

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK

Specifications:
Write Speed: 8X DVD+R, 4X DVD+RW, 8X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 2.4X DVD+R DL, 32X CD-R, 16X CD-RW
Read Speed: 40X CD-ROM, 12X DVD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI / E-IDE
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
Features: Support for writing DVD+R DL; Vertical operation possible, anti-dust seal.
Packaging: OEM Bulk Pack (No Software Included)

I want to use it for backups and copying dvd's would be nice. I'm not overly concerned with speed, I guess.

Thanks for any input.

Thanks for your reply MarcMan

I'm looking to spend up to $100 USD so any suggestions are welcome.

I'm getting this at newegg and basically chose it because it was a popular choice but will consider a better model if I knew of one.

I tend to like the Plextor brand. They usually get excellent reviews, but are often a bit more pricey. I also like pioneer.

I tend to like the Plextor brand. They usually get excellent reviews, but are often a bit more pricey. I also like pioneer.

I like plextor too, in fact the reason for this purchase is to replace my plextor cd burner which recently died after 3.5 years of use.

I made a similar thread on anandtech a week back and everybody recommended that exact drive. The 2510 can do dual layer and costs about $72 from newegg. The reviews there are top rate too.

I just ordered a pioneer dvr-109 which cost like $20 more, but the speeds are mostly double that of yours. is the Pioneer DVR-109 available yet? All I can find is the DVR-108. too bad the DL media is gonna be scarce and expensive for awhile... but I want to replace the old 2x Superdrive in my Mac eventually so I might as well get a DL drive when Apple adds the OS support which is supposed to be coming soon.

Dual layer will burn for 4 hours a side? is that correct? I have been waiting a while for these because I have so many tapes I want to archive to DVD. I am sick of packing a big box of tapes when I could have it all in a CD case holder :)

dual layer is two recording layers on a side, not two sides, up to 8.5 gigs. play length depends on how you encode the video.