[techguy21801]

hi all, well i'm finally considering getting a dvd burner, considering that they have never decided on 1 format. anyways, i've heard the pioneer makes the best burners out there. but i wanted to get your all's feedback. thanks

[X-Ecutioner]

Get a multi format burner like LG or Sony. Pioneer is basically a 1 format machine (their format only). From what I heard is that pioneer is really the only ones using the "-" (dash) format while everyone else is using the "+" (plus) format. I have a pioneer set-top player and it plays DVD-R/RW and I just found out it plays DVD+RW so if ur really limited by money, get a DVD+R/RW. I just got one from futureshop for 120$. Its an LG that writes to EVERYTHING and even comes with a blank dvd-ram to play with so i'm very happy. So if you live near a futureshop....GO

[jdeboeck]

http://www.dvdrhelp.com

It offers reviews on nearly all standalone DVD players, and which DVD's (+R -R +RW -RW) they will play. If you want to write movies to DVD, they'll tell you what format you need for compatibility...

When you use DVD just for computers, I would go for +RW, if you want movies for your home cinema, -R is more widely supported (i believe 90% support -R, while 75% support +R, -RW and +RW numbers are about 10% lower - for a standalone this all makes a difference you see)

So you really are best off with a dual format burner.

[MSNwar]

I use the Lite-On 811-S and the TEAC DVW-50E. Both are good, but I lean towards the Lite-On because it is a DVD±RW and burns +R at 8X. Did a review of the Lite-On LDW-811S DVD±RW you might want to look at. There is a professional in-depth review of the older model, Lite-On LDW-411S DVD±RW, at cdfreaks.com