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

[david622]

I'm considering buying an EXTERNAL DVD Burner for my eMachines computer. However, I'm extremely uneducated on the topic, so I was wondering if you could enlighten me on the subject. I want to use the burner to burn a rented/borrowed DVD (preferably in its entirety).

First of all: What's the difference between DVD+R and DVD-R

Secondly: What other features should I consider

What's a decent DVD writing speed that I should expect?

Can the average blank DVD store the entire contents of a store-bought DVD, extras and all?

Is there any reason why my DVD player wouldn't play a burned DVD? I have a Sony DVP-NS715P DVD player. It plays KVCDs, so I figure it should probably play DVD-Rs, but still....

I don't want to spend too much money; I'm not looking for a top-of-the-line product, just something that'll suit my needs that's pretty good; not a piece of crap.

Thanks,
DSF

[muchspl2]

why external, they are more prone to break and burn coasters, maybe not so much anymore but you will still pay at least twice as much for a external.

[whiterook-2]

This may help
DVD Info

[david622]

The reason I want an external drive is because I have an eMachines computer (T2682 if you want specifics), and looking at the front of the computer, there doesn't appear to be another slot for a drive.

I currently have a DVD drive and a CD-RW burner drive. Could a DVD burner replace the CD burner and burn plain CD-R(W)s as well?

[silent h3ro]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-032&depa=0
Now stfu and have a good day.

[muchspl2]

yea just replace your cd buner

[david622]

Thanks. I'm gonna still keep my eyes open for others though... I've got $50 in gift cards to Best Buy so I might do one there.

But just to confirm: Can ALL DVD burners burn regular CD-Rs and CD-RWs also?

And what's the difference between +R and -R?

[Virtualbody1234]

You could take out the 2 drives and just have a DVD burner. It does all.

[david622]

Alright thanks.

[Virtualbody1234]

Get a drive that can burn both +R and -R.

Better yet, get one that can do Dual Layer too.

As for fitting a whole DVD to a disk? You can only do that if you compress it to fit. Use http://www.dvdshrink.org/ (freeware) for that.