Dual layer DVD writers

March 26, 2006 |

By Staff writer

Dual-layer DVD writers

With DVD burners and blank DVDs becoming more affordable, it’s time to upgrade your old CD burner or slow DVD burner and take advantage of the high speed and features of the latest models.

If you’re in the market for a new DVD burner, make sure you’re buying one of the latest models with dual-layer DVD support. While dual-layer DVDs cost around $9 each in bulk, they let you store 8.5GB of data onto a single DVD, or four hours of DVD-quality video. This compares to only 4.7GB of data, or two hours of DVD-quality video, on a regular, single-layer, DVD±R disc.

Now that dual-layer burning is standard on all new DVD burners, we expect prices for blank dual-layer DVDs to fall significantly over the next 18 months.

If you regularly record onto DVD and wish that your discs were more able to withstand the rigors of everyday use, such as fingerprints, dust and scratches, both TDK and Imation offer blank discs with a special protective coating that makes them more resistant to damage.

01 Sony DRU800A
ERP $149.95
www.sonystyle.com.au

Sony was the first to release dual-layer DVD burners and this latest multi-format, high-speed model has a range of improvements. DVD±R recording speed has now increased to 16x, dual-layer DVD±Rs record at 4x, DVD+RW 8x, DVD-RW 6x and CD-Rs a speedy 48x. The excellent Nero software suite is included, letting you burn data, music, movies and more to CD and DVD. The DRU800XL, a separate external version with stylish case, FireWire and USB 2.0 ports, is also available for $279.

02 BenQ DW1640
ERP $119.95
www.benq.com.au

BenQ’s new DVD burner increases the burning speed of dual-layer DVD+R discs to 8x, faster than any other current drive for this format. As with other burners, DVD±R record speeds are 16x, and the new dual-layer DVD-R discs record at 4x. DVD+RW speeds are 8x, DVD-RW 6x and CD-Rs 48x. BenQ uses a new “dual cooling system” to reduce the potential for over-heating during high-speed reading and writing. BenQ’s own QSuite recording software bundle is included and the drive is available with either a black or white front panel. A solid competitor to other drives.

03 Iomega Super DVD Writer
ERP $199
www.iomega.com.au

Iomega’s external USB 2.0 DVD writer has come down in price to $199, making it only slightly more expensive than internal-only units. Unlike the two internal models featured, the Iomega cannot record to dual-layer DVD-R discs, but it can record to the widely available dual-layer DVD+R discs. Most people still record to regular blank CDs and DVDs, which the Iomega does at the same speeds as the Sony DRU800A. It comes with the HotBurn CD/DVD burning suite, as well as the very useful Iomega Automatic Backup software, which will automatically make backups of files to a blank CD or DVD. An inexpensive DVD burner with all of the important features in an external case.

04 LaCie Slim DVD±RW with LightScribe
ERP $349
www.lacie.com/au

Designed for the road warrior, Lacie’s new ultra-slim DVD burner is substantially cheaper than competitors, yet still manages to pack in relatively high recording speeds, stylish design by F.A. Porsche, dual-layer burning and no need for a separate power supply, as power’s drawn through the USB port. It also supports LightScribe blank DVDs, where you can flip the disc over after the burn process and use the same laser to “etch” a high-quality image onto the top of your DVD. While CD and DVD recording speeds are slower than others here, this is normal for ultra-slim drives. Even so, DVD±R burn speeds are 8x, DVD±RW 4x, dual-layer DVD±R 2.4x and CD-Rs 24x. The Roxio Easy CD/DVD Creator 7 suite is included. If you frequently travel with your notebook and need faster burning, without the weight of bigger, bulkier external drives, the Lacie is for you.