[gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Kevin O'Gorman]

It's time for me to get a DVD recorder for this system, so I went to Best Buy,
and started reading the boxes.  Every single one states that Windows in some
form is a requirement.  Surely this is FUD, right?  Nevertheless, with memories
of winmodems and winprinters, I fear to take the leap.

What's the real state of things?  Can I use any of them?  All of them?  What?

++ kevin


-- 
Kevin O'Gorman, PhD

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[gentoo-user] Re: DVD recorder recommendations

[Kevin O'Gorman]

I should probably add, since processor speeds were listed on most boxes,
that this is a dual Xeon (P IV based), (2 hyperthreads each for a total of 4)
rated at 1.2 GHz.

++ kevin

On 8/18/05, Kevin O'Gorman <kogorman@gmail.com> wrote:
> It's time for me to get a DVD recorder for this system, so I went to Best Buy,
> and started reading the boxes.  Every single one states that Windows in some
> form is a requirement.  Surely this is FUD, right?  Nevertheless, with memories
> of winmodems and winprinters, I fear to take the leap.
> 
> What's the real state of things?  Can I use any of them?  All of them?  What?
> 
> ++ kevin


--
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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Nick Rout]

On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 21:23:38 -0700
Kevin O'Gorman wrote:

> Every single one states that Windows in some
> form is a requirement.  Surely this is FUD, right? 

yes absolutely.

However be aware that to update firmware windows may be required.

Like CD writers they are fundamentally ATAPI devices that plug straight
into the ide bus and the power supply.

I recently bought an LG and it works fine. 

-- 
Nick Rout <nick@rout.co.nz>

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Jamie Dobbs]

> yes absolutely.
>
> However be aware that to update firmware windows may be required.
>
> Like CD writers they are fundamentally ATAPI devices that plug straight
> into the ide bus and the power supply.
>
> I recently bought an LG and it works fine.

I too would heartily recommend LG drives, I have 2 of them and have never
had any issues apart from the odd low quality disc that will only write at
8x ;-)


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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Holly Bostick]

Nick Rout schreef:
> On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 21:23:38 -0700
> Kevin O'Gorman wrote:
> 
> 
>>Every single one states that Windows in some
>>form is a requirement.  Surely this is FUD, right? 
> 
> 
> yes absolutely.

To add to this, I think that what is really "meant" by this typical
marketing-speak is that Windows is necessary to run the included
software bundle. It's not actually needed for the drive itself, but
obviously you're paying for the software bundle, so the fact that Linux
users (all two of us ;) ) are just going to toss these CDs aside
(because they can't use them) would be a consideration for the type of
manufacturers that are going to put their products on display at a chain
like BestBuy, and the information is 'simplified' for the market segment
that shops at Best Buy for computer parts (no offence; there are
exceptions to every rule).

You might consider getting a 'whitebox' (OEM) product from a "real"
computer store instead (for whatever product you decide on)-- the 'white
box' means that you don't pay for the fancy packaging, or the included
retail package (which is useless to you anyway), but the Original
Equipment Manufacturer package which usually just has the drive and the
driver disk (probably with WinDVD as well, but it's still less wastage
than with the full retail monty).

Holly
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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Mark]

I have a TDK indi DVD. It works perfectly. I would also add that I
have excellent results with LG products as others have mentioned.

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Mark Humphrey]

Mark wrote:

>I have a TDK indi DVD. It works perfectly. I would also add that I
>have excellent results with LG products as others have mentioned.
>
>  
>
I also agree with the LG comments. They really are good. Only thing that
I can criticise is that the drives do get a bit fussy when it comes to
cheaper, lesser-known-brand disks - which my CD writer refuses to even
start a write on. Other than that, I've never had a bad write on my LG
CD writer.

I have a Lite-On DVD writer which is also very good. It writes on just
about anything except used toilet paper - which is what impressed me.
Plus it was quite a bit cheaper than the LG equivalent.



Email Disclaimer
http://www.aplitec.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Rumen Yotov]

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Mark Humphrey wrote:

>Mark wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I have a TDK indi DVD. It works perfectly. I would also add that I
>>have excellent results with LG products as others have mentioned.
>>
>> 
>>
>>    
>>
>I also agree with the LG comments. They really are good. Only thing that
>I can criticise is that the drives do get a bit fussy when it comes to
>cheaper, lesser-known-brand disks - which my CD writer refuses to even
>start a write on. Other than that, I've never had a bad write on my LG
>CD writer.
>
>I have a Lite-On DVD writer which is also very good. It writes on just
>about anything except used toilet paper - which is what impressed me.
>Plus it was quite a bit cheaper than the LG equivalent.
>
>
>
>Email Disclaimer
>http://www.aplitec.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm
>
>  
>
Hi,
Could recommend LiteON too for a DVD-writer (also had very good Nec CD-RW).
Rumen

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Edward A Mihalow Jr]

Mark wrote:
> I have a TDK indi DVD. It works perfectly. I would also add that I
> have excellent results with LG products as others have mentioned.
> 
I have had a TDK and now a SONY dual-layer. Both work excellent. Sony on 
newegg.com
for 89.00.

-- 
Edward A Mihalow Jr   prr56@bellsouth.net	
Gentoo Linux! Registered Linux User#225662
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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Ted Ozolins]

Edward A Mihalow Jr wrote:

> Mark wrote:
>
>> I have a TDK indi DVD. It works perfectly. I would also add that I
>> have excellent results with LG products as others have mentioned.
>>
> I have had a TDK and now a SONY dual-layer. Both work excellent. Sony
> on newegg.com
> for 89.00.
>

I'm running a Sony dual layer here ($89.00Ca at futureshop.ca) works
just fine.

-- 
Ted Ozolins(VE7TVO)
Westbank, B. C

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Joshua Armstrong]

Can anyone point me to a howto for doing packet writing with a DVD+RW?
I have a DVD+RW drive and it works fine with the pktcdvd kernel
interface, but when I try to use cdrwtool -q -d /dev/hdd with a DVD+RW,
it gives me this:

Initiating quick disc blank
wait_cmd: Input/output error
Command failed: a1 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - sense 05.30.05
blank disc: Illegal seek

Any clues?  Thanks!

AMD Athlon 1.2GHz
VIA KT7 chipset
Memorex 8x ATAPI DVD+-RW/CD-RW, DMA interface at UDMA2
Memorex 4x DVD+RW media, writing at 1x
cdrecord-ProDVD fails with the same error, except it reads,
"write_track: Illegal seek."

On Fri, 2005-08-19 at 21:11 -0700, Ted Ozolins wrote:
> Edward A Mihalow Jr wrote:
> 
> > Mark wrote:
> >
> >> I have a TDK indi DVD. It works perfectly. I would also add that I
> >> have excellent results with LG products as others have mentioned.
> >>
> > I have had a TDK and now a SONY dual-layer. Both work excellent. Sony
> > on newegg.com
> > for 89.00.
> >
> 
> I'm running a Sony dual layer here ($89.00Ca at futureshop.ca) works
> just fine.
> 
> -- 
> Ted Ozolins(VE7TVO)
> Westbank, B. C
> 

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Volker Armin Hemmann]

On Friday 19 August 2005 06:23, Kevin O'Gorman wrote:
> It's time for me to get a DVD recorder for this system, so I went to Best
> Buy, and started reading the boxes.  Every single one states that Windows
> in some form is a requirement.  Surely this is FUD, right?  Nevertheless,
> with memories of winmodems and winprinters, I fear to take the leap.
>
> What's the real state of things?  Can I use any of them?  All of them? 
> What?
>

hi,

dvd-recorders are atapi-devices - you can use it with any os that supports 
atapi.. and linux is one of them.

For the burners:

ct had a big test some time ago.

The NEC burner was not the fastest, but one with the best results, while LG 
and some others,  burnt a lot of crap... of the worst kind - the dvd was 
written, and seemed to work more or less fine, but there were a lot of 
errors.

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Sean Johnson]

I'm pretty stuck on Plextor drives. I've found them to all be very
reliable, and will tend to read damaged disks that other drives choke
on.

Just my 2c.

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Matt Randolph]

Sean Johnson wrote:

>I'm pretty stuck on Plextor drives. I've found them to all be very
>reliable, and will tend to read damaged disks that other drives choke
>on.
>
>Just my 2c.
>
>  
>

I could have bought another brand for less, but my Plextor has yet to 
meet a brand of disc that it couldn't burn.  I haven't had any bad burns 
yet either.

One thing you might do is check http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters to 
read up on whichever models you are thinking about buying.  This site 
lists reviews and blank media compatibility reports for nearly every 
drive under the sun.  Check to see how picky the drives you like are and 
read the reviews.  If you find one that will burn perfectly on every 
type of media that has been tried in it, that's a major plus.  Many 
drives have trouble writing to inexpensive discs.

When you find a promising drive or two, look to see if any of the 
reportedly compatible media can be bought at your local shop.  Better 
yet, look for some you can buy in bulk on the cheap through a shopping 
engine (I like pricewatch.com).

Be sure to verify that the media you intend to use will play in your 
set-top DVD player too.  Find your DVD player at 
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers and look at the player's media 
compatibility reports to do this.  The compatibility lists for the 
players aren't always as complete as they are for the 
burners--especially for older players--but it is better to have looked 
than not to have.

It's a lot of leg-work, but it beats buying a drive that will only burn 
expensive media, or that won't burn any of the brands of discs that work 
in your set-top box.  When you find a drive/cheap-media/player 
combination that works, you can save a lot of money by buying the discs 
in bulk, even if you have to pay a premium for a more capable burner.

When you find a good deal on a DVD burner, and that burner will record a 
wide variety of brands of discs, and among those varieties of discs are 
some that you can get cheap, and those cheap discs will play in your 
set-top DVD player...  well, then start digging out your credit card 
already!  What more do you want?!

Just my 13 cents.

P.S.: Seemingly identical blank discs can be made by different 
manufacturers even if they are the same brand/speed/model-number.  Don't 
buy bulk media unless you're ABSOLUTELY sure that it is going to work 
for you.  You might ask the vendor if they will sell you a sample disc 
to test first.  Who knows?  It could happen.

-- 
"Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate" - W. of O.

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[gentoo-user] Re: DVD recorder recommendations

[Thomas Kirchner]

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* On Aug 19 15:42, Sean Johnson (gentoo-user@lists.gentoo.org) wrote:
> I'm pretty stuck on Plextor drives. I've found them to all be very
> reliable, and will tend to read damaged disks that other drives choke
> on.

Another strong recommendation for Plextor here.  I've had my PX-712A for 
a while now and it's been fantastic - never a single problem with any 
type of disc.  Definitely consider them.  You can usually find them for 
around the same price as the others on newegg.com.
Tom

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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Volker Armin Hemmann]

On Friday 19 August 2005 21:42, Sean Johnson wrote:
> I'm pretty stuck on Plextor drives. I've found them to all be very
> reliable, and will tend to read damaged disks that other drives choke
> on.


it has to, because all tests I read said, that Plextor burns a lot of errors 
onto the dvds... so they have to have a good error-correction, or they would 
not be able to read their own stuff.
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[gentoo-user] Re: DVD recorder recommendations

[Thomas Kirchner]

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* On Aug 21 15:37, Volker Armin Hemmann (gentoo-user@lists.gentoo.org) wrote:
> it has to, because all tests I read said, that Plextor burns a lot of 
> errors onto the dvds... so they have to have a good error-correction, 
> or they would not be able to read their own stuff.

Not sure I buy that.  I've used my Plextor-burned discs in plenty of 
other computers and they haven't had any trouble reading them, either.  
They didn't earn their reputation for quality by making coasters.
Tom

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Re: [gentoo-user] Re: DVD recorder recommendations

[Volker Armin Hemmann]

On Sunday 21 August 2005 16:35, Thomas Kirchner wrote:
> * On Aug 21 15:37, Volker Armin Hemmann (gentoo-user@lists.gentoo.org) 
wrote:
> > it has to, because all tests I read said, that Plextor burns a lot of
> > errors onto the dvds... so they have to have a good error-correction,
> > or they would not be able to read their own stuff.
>
> Not sure I buy that.  I've used my Plextor-burned discs in plenty of
> other computers and they haven't had any trouble reading them, either.
> They didn't earn their reputation for quality by making coasters.
> Tom

I do not own a plextor, but I trust the c't magazine which did a lot of 
dvd-burner tests and Plextor is one of the burners which like to write fast, 
but with a lot of errors.

Only because the dvdr does not make problems now, it does not mean, that it 
will not make problems in the future, when some scratches are accumulated.

But... LG was much worse.. ;)
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Re: [gentoo-user] Re: DVD recorder recommendations

[Kevin O'Gorman]

On 8/21/05, Volker Armin Hemmann <volker.armin.hemmann@tu-clausthal.de> wrote:
> On Sunday 21 August 2005 16:35, Thomas Kirchner wrote:
> > * On Aug 21 15:37, Volker Armin Hemmann (gentoo-user@lists.gentoo.org)
> wrote:
> > > it has to, because all tests I read said, that Plextor burns a lot of
> > > errors onto the dvds... so they have to have a good error-correction,
> > > or they would not be able to read their own stuff.
> >
> > Not sure I buy that.  I've used my Plextor-burned discs in plenty of
> > other computers and they haven't had any trouble reading them, either.
> > They didn't earn their reputation for quality by making coasters.
> > Tom
> 
> I do not own a plextor, but I trust the c't magazine which did a lot of
> dvd-burner tests and Plextor is one of the burners which like to write fast,
> but with a lot of errors.
> 
> Only because the dvdr does not make problems now, it does not mean, that it
> will not make problems in the future, when some scratches are accumulated.
> 
> But... LG was much worse.. ;)

Hmmm.  While warnings about particular brands might be of some help, I would
much prefer to see the make/model of comparably priced items that were rated
good.  I'm trying to buy, after all, not discard existing stuff.

Nevertheless, this is helpful (I think) because I was starting to lean towards a
Plextor PX-740A-BP OEM drive.  Now I'll wait to see what others say. 

-- 
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Re: [gentoo-user] Re: DVD recorder recommendations

[Volker Armin Hemmann]

On Sunday 21 August 2005 20:54, Kevin O'Gorman wrote:
> On 8/21/05, Volker Armin Hemmann <volker.armin.hemmann@tu-clausthal.de> 
wrote:
> > On Sunday 21 August 2005 16:35, Thomas Kirchner wrote:
> > > * On Aug 21 15:37, Volker Armin Hemmann (gentoo-user@lists.gentoo.org)
> >
> > wrote:
> > > > it has to, because all tests I read said, that Plextor burns a lot of
> > > > errors onto the dvds... so they have to have a good error-correction,
> > > > or they would not be able to read their own stuff.
> > >
> > > Not sure I buy that.  I've used my Plextor-burned discs in plenty of
> > > other computers and they haven't had any trouble reading them, either.
> > > They didn't earn their reputation for quality by making coasters.
> > > Tom
> >
> > I do not own a plextor, but I trust the c't magazine which did a lot of
> > dvd-burner tests and Plextor is one of the burners which like to write
> > fast, but with a lot of errors.
> >
> > Only because the dvdr does not make problems now, it does not mean, that
> > it will not make problems in the future, when some scratches are
> > accumulated.
> >
> > But... LG was much worse.. ;)
>
> Hmmm.  While warnings about particular brands might be of some help, I
> would much prefer to see the make/model of comparably priced items that
> were rated good.  I'm trying to buy, after all, not discard existing stuff.
>
> Nevertheless, this is helpful (I think) because I was starting to lean
> towards a Plextor PX-740A-BP OEM drive.  Now I'll wait to see what others
> say.

to be honest, none of the tested writers were perfect.
Some had problems with -r, some with +r, some burned good at low speeds but 
badly on higher ones - and most of these tried to burn as fast as possible, 
resulting in high error counts.

You should visit some websites dedicated to dvd(rw) tests, and/or read some 
good magazine - not ones, who are giving 'best products' awards and say '
good results on matsabanony (to make up a totally random name)' but don't say, 
that you cannot buy this blanks in 95% of the world and totally not say that 
this device sucks with every other brand, but magazines, that test about a 
wide range of blanks, and explain every bit about their testing, how they 
detect&count the errors, differences between the errors, how many errors are 
allowed to be within the specs, geometric errors of the blanks etc pp.

Don't look at awards, look at the important fact: does this writer does it job 
well with the blanks you can buy around the corner? Does it a good job at the 
sppeds I want to use? Does it burn the type dvd-'standard', I want to use(-r, 
+r, -rw,+rw,dl,-ram)? How much do you want to pay?
Friends are not always a good source.. only because they haven't discovered 
the hidden traps of accumulated errors, does not mean, that you won't, so 
read tests and decide for yourself - oh, and firmware updates are important 
too. Luckily there are almost always dostools availabe, not always from the 
vendor, but...

After that, you'll find the perfect burner for you.
It may not the perfect burner for someone else, but that is ok - everybody has 
his own needs. -ram people are pretty stuck to LG and are able to deal with 
it ;)



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Re: [gentoo-user] DVD recorder recommendations

[Timur Aydin]

"Kevin O'Gorman" <kogorman@gmail.com> writes:

I am using a Philips DVD writer for backup purposes under Gentoo with
good results.

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