Let it burn.Q I want to burn DVDs, but my computer did not come with a burner A drive that writes write-once optical discs such as CD-Rs and DVD-Rs. A "burner" implies a one-time recording, but the term is erroneously used to refer to drives that "write" to re-recordable CD-RW and DVD-RW/+RW media as well. See burn, CD-R and DVD-R. . And I have to admit, I'm confused by all the offers out there. What should I look for in choosing one? --R. Miller Washington, DC A Good question. Finding the right tool can be a daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin task. And being a tech editor doesn't make it any easier. Like you, I'm also in the market for a DVD-R/RW (commonly called a burner), and there's a lot to consider when choosing one. Compounding the confusion is the introduction of "double layer" media, where burners can write to both sides of a disc. On the one hand, double layer media allows you to store an incredible amount of information on a DVD-R (DVD-Recordable) A write-once (read only) DVD disc for both movies and data endorsed by the DVD Forum. DVD-Rs are often called "DVD Dash Rs" or "DVD Minus Rs" to distinguish them from the competing "Plus R" format (see DVD+R). (up to 8.5GB). But the downside is that these media are not compatible with every player. And because of the dual capacity, burn times are often much slower than they are for single-layer media. You should also consider the cost of double-layer discs, which can be up to $15 each. In terms of hardware, currently I'm looking at Sony's DRU-710A (www.sony.com; $180), LaCie's d2 (www.lacie.com; $130 to $230), and Iomega's Super DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. QuikTouch Video Burner (www.iomega.com; $330). Good luck. --Sonya A. Donaldson Mail your technology questions to Cyberwise, BLACK ENTERPRISE 130 Fifth Ave., New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY 10011 or send an e-mail to donaldsons@blackenterprise.com. |
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