I'm Considering Buying a DVD Burner, but I need to learn about them first

[Samurai]

In a nutshell...

DVDR 5 - Single Layer
DVDR 9 - Dual Layer

Single layer is around 4.7GB capacity, whereas dual layer is around 9GB.

Most films on DVD are dual layer. Pick up a DVD you own and look on the back. Some of them tell you if it's single or dual layer. If they don't DVD Decrypter will.

Most DVD Recordable discs are single layer only, as dual layer have only recently been released and are still quite expensive in comparison. If you purchase a dual layer burner your burner should be future proof for at least a couple of years.

Check here for further info:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourc...n&q=Dual+Layer

[Samurai]

And here: http://www.doom9.org/

[david622]

Thanks

[Hanz™]

What do Dual Layer drives do that others don't? Can they burn more data to a disk?

They can burn more to a disk.
Standard DVD's are 4.7GB (single Layer).
Dual Layer Disks are approximately 8GB, and are what the film industry uses for all of their disks.

If you don't get a dual layer burner then the films you burn will have to be compressed and will not be as good as the originals.

However to burn Dual Layers you have to use Dual layer disks.
BTW you can also burn single layer DVD disks in a dual layer writer.

I personaly recommend that you get a Dual layer 16x DVD writer...

With DVD writing the media you use is quite important as some DVD burners only use the expensive stuff (and produce coasters with the rest - ie. mine), so make sure you buy Ritek G04 DVD-R's...

[Samurai]

so make sure you buy Ritek G04 DVD-R's...

You're actually referring to the dye used on the DVD's themselves. Technology has actually advanced to the stage that the majority of DVD media will work fine, not just Ritek.

For example, DataSafe, Infiniti, Sony, Verbatim, BulkPaq and so forth.

[muchspl2]

I also recommend Ritek media, all have been 100% compatible so far.