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View Full Version : Which DVDRW software? (was Recommend me a......DVD Re-writer)

worthit
26-03-2006, 12:32
I would like to add a DVD-RW to my Dell PC, but being very wary of ballsing it up, would like your thoughts. There is a DVD/CD-RW Drive already on the PC.

I need it to read and write DVD-RAM as well as DVD-R. Which one should I go for? Also, needs to be black/dark grey to match the Dell casing :D

I was thinking of the external LG GSA-2164D Super-Multi External DVD Writer from SVP, just for ease of installation, but would prefer an internal one if I'm honest. What cables would I need and how easy is it to install one? As you can see, I'm not much of a computer fiddler :help:

So if someone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

TIA
cmgarrod
26-03-2006, 13:00
Its easy, if you have a CD-RW already, just unplug that one and plug in the new one and screw it in place, I don't really see the point of having more than one drive anyway (unless you want to copy on the fly). If you want to have two and you have room for the second you just plug it on the IDE cable as a slave drive, or cable select.

I just got a NEC 3550A drive, it is very good not had a coaster yet.
CMG
worthit
26-03-2006, 15:17
Its easy, if you have a CD-RW already, just unplug that one and plug in the new one and screw it in place, I don't really see the point of having more than one drive anyway (unless you want to copy on the fly). If you want to have two and you have room for the second you just plug it on the IDE cable as a slave drive, or cable select.

I just got a NEC 3550A drive, it is very good not had a coaster yet.
CMG

But if I want to copy a DVD i.e. A home vid, do I copy it onto the HD and then rewrite it from there?

I don't want to fudge it up :doh: I know it's only a couple of cables but...
nwgarratt
26-03-2006, 15:49
But if I want to copy a DVD i.e. A home vid, do I copy it onto the HD and then rewrite it from there?

I don't want to fudge it up :doh: I know it's only a couple of cables but...

You can do that and it is also the recommended way. Writing on the fly can be problematic and may cause bad burns.

I got a internal Black LG 4167B which has been great. I also have a USB Pioneer 109 which has worked fine. You will need a USB 2.0 port if you choose a USB one.
worthit
26-03-2006, 16:11
You can do that and it is also the recommended way. Writing on the fly can be problematic and may cause bad burns.

I got a internal Black LG 4167B which has been great. I also have a USB Pioneer 109 which has worked fine. You will need a USB 2.0 port if you choose a USB one.


Hi, yes got plenty of USB ports (it's a Dell 8300) I would prefer internal, so it's just a case of a swap out is it?
nwgarratt
26-03-2006, 16:25
Hi, yes got plenty of USB ports (it's a Dell 8300) I would prefer internal, so it's just a case of a swap out is it?

Yes. There is two or three cables on the back. One is the power and one is a data IDE cable. They might be a small black plug which is the audio cable and goes from the drive to the sound card. They just pull out and go in the same sockets on the new drive.

If you have just one drive then make sure the writer is set to master. This is usually been set already with a new drive. If you decide to have two drives. Then the second drive has to be set to slave and use the slave connection on the IDE cable.
Faythur
26-03-2006, 16:32
I have an 8400 [probably the same really] and added a second drive. Dead easy.

If like mine, then you can use the existing ribbon cable [has a second connector already] and a spare power cable connector. Just configure the new drive as 'cable select'. The first drive will probably be this way already.

Buy a bare OEM drive - no extra cables or drivers required.

SVP (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.svponline.co.uk/newsletter/2006/mar_23a.htm) have a 1p shipping weekend at the moment [expires midnight tonight] ;)
worthit
26-03-2006, 17:53
Ok, I think I've narrowed it down to either the LG GSA-4167B from BigPockets for £34.74 inc del., or the NEC ND4570 from Digital Promo for ££35.85 inc del.

Are either of these better than the other? TIA :) (or any other suggestions?)
worthit
26-03-2006, 18:47
Too late, gone for the LG :)

Now, what's the best dvd writing software??
nwgarratt
26-03-2006, 19:39
I would get Nero 6. Nero 7 is the latest but it is too bloated and buggy.
ian turner
26-03-2006, 20:10
er should have bought the retail version of the LG from dabs for £1.20 more all in and got the audio cable, mounting screws and nero express 6.6 , power dvd 5 and powerproducer gold for some basic dvd functionality.
What do you want the software to do ?
worthit
27-03-2006, 01:38
er should have bought the retail version of the LG from dabs for £1.20 more all in and got the audio cable, mounting screws and nero express 6.6 , power dvd 5 and powerproducer gold for some basic dvd functionality.
What do you want the software to do ?

That'll teach me for making hasty decisions :doh:

I primarily want to transfer stuff from my video camera to DVD and also be able to do basic editing if possible.
threadkiller
27-03-2006, 05:39
That'll teach me for making hasty decisions :doh:

I primarily want to transfer stuff from my video camera to DVD and also be able to do basic editing if possible.then you need some editing software like Pinnacle to do that & burn, and something like Nero for general burning. Nero tries to be everything for all men & doesn't quite succeed a bit like Micro$oft.
cmgarrod
27-03-2006, 10:06
I've just switched to using this: CDBurnerXP Pro
It's freeware but as good as Nero...
http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
nwgarratt
27-03-2006, 10:19
I've just switched to using this: CDBurnerXP Pro
It's freeware but as good as Nero...
http://www.cdburnerxp.se/

How is DVD Video as it mainly does data DVD? The specs say DVD Video support is limited.
cmgarrod
27-03-2006, 12:39
Not sure, I have not used it for this. Sorry.