advice on new writer

[gumdrops]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=385 border=0 valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD class=Body-Headline colSpan=2>I am wondering if this would be a good writer for me to buy. I have a very old sony that I have been happy with, but it is outdated and can't keep up with the new media that is out there. any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would still be able to burn with the regular 4.7 media. right? Thanks

Sony 16x Internal Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=Body-Small>Model: DRU-820A
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SCRIPT>wS('1','15')</SCRIPT>
</TD></TR><!-- E:07Y --><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=385 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Multiformat support for DVD+R/R DL/RW, DVD-R/R DL/RW, DVD-RAM and CD-R/RW media (dual-layer/double-layer drive with DVD-RAM)

• Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video on compatible DVD+R DL (double layer) and DVD-R (dual layer) media
• DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media provide nearly double the DVD storage capacity of standard DVD media

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[gumdrops]

my comp is an Intel celeron 1.80 GHz w/760 mb ram
System Requirements Intel® Pentium® III 800MHz processor or faster; Windows 2000 Professional, XP Home or Professional Editions; 128MB RAM; 10GB free hard disk space

will it work?

[Chewy]

gum what's the firmware on the old sony?

I don't like sony since they just rebrand drives

[geno888]

If your concern is if a DL burner can still burn correctly single layer media, the answer is yes. All DL burners can write without problems single layer media. Be careful to buy only quality media, or writing results will be poor, but this is true for any burner.

If you are interested in RAM media, maybe you can consider to buy latest LG burner, H20 if I remember correctly, because it is able to burn RAM media @12x. Obviously are necessary 12x certified RAM media, very hard to find right now, but they should be available soon.

[Chewy]

that sony is interesting, it's a benq 1670 which may be a teac.
no scanning or benq firmware support tho

[geno888]

A good reason to avoid it

[Chewy]

more like a souped up DQ70, awful pretty burns even on dual layer

[gumdrops]

Ok well maybe I should buy the nec3550A. they have it on egg for 34.99 w/free ship. as long as the celeron 1.80 GHz is good enough. I am not concerned about speed as long as it is a good burn.
one more ? what exactly is OEM? Ty

[dmanshead]

Original equipment manufacturer, you might also consider a BenQ DW1655, I just bought a BenQ DQ60, and the NEC you mentioned both are good burners. The DQ60 is another one made by Teac, no scanning capabilties, but it does RAM. Here's anpther you might consider a Pioneer 111D.

[gumdrops]

thanks alot I will look them over. I really appreciate your opinions.

[dmanshead]

I think the OEM's come with less software than the retail. I know that with the DW1655, which I will purchase shortly the OEM has nero included and the retail adds BenQ's Qsuite, which if you wanted and you would, you can download from their site.