DVD Writers

Post by **Matt** » Thu May 29, 2003 7:27 pm

Anyone out there got a DVD writer?

I've just ordered a Pioneer 105 DVD-R/RW. Its the same as the Pioneer A05 but doesn't come with the software or fancy box. And is therefore cheaper

Ornsack · Post by **Ornsack** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 11:19 pm

Mushiman's the guy to talk to...

How much was it without the fancy box and what not?

Post by **Matt** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 8:18 am

It was 145 pounds including VAT and postage from Blankdiscshop.co.uk

Written 2 data DVDs so far. Not had time to try a video DVD.

Mushiman · Post by **Mushiman** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 7:30 pm

Hey congrats Matt!!

You've bought yourself a fine DVD recorder.
What software are you gonna use for DVD authoring??

Post by **Matt** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 10:44 pm

I've got a selection

Ulead DVD Workshop, Instant CD/DVD 6.5 Stomp RecordNow Max and Nero 5.5.

Used Nero for data no probs. Just tried a video disc with DVD Workshop, onto a DVD-RW (my only one) but it didn't play in my Wharfedale DVD player in the lounge. May risk a DVD-R.

What writer have you got?

Mushiman · Post by **Mushiman** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 6:53 pm

My friend has the Pioneer A04.
I'd love a DVD-R drive myself but i've just forked out for a Canopus ADVC-50 for converting our VHS tapes to DV footage & then to DVD...Busy, we will be...

Post by **Matt** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 10:26 pm

Created my first DVD video disc. Plays ok on the PC but not on my standalone player

I've got a Wharfedale 750S. Anyone out there have any luck playing DVD-Rs in this player?

slimdog55 · Post by **slimdog55** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:06 am

Hey Matt, you should get Adobe Encore DVD for DVD authoring. It doesn't come out untill summer. When I get my Barebone system for my birthday, I'm gonna get a Pioneer A05 DVD writer.($300). Then I'm gonna get Adobe Encore DVD. Hope its good. Thought I would let you know.

Post by **Matt** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 1:36 pm

Cheers, I hadn't heard that Adobe were releasing a DVD package. I'll look out for it in the summer.

Managed to get DVD-Rs to play in my standalone player. It only seems to like the DVD if it contains a full discs worth of data. My test DVD only contained a few Mb of video. Once I wrote a disc with lots of video it worked fine. DVD-RW don't work regardless but I can live with that.

Messing around with Ulead DVD Workshop at the moment. It can create 'Matrix DVD' style motion menus, where the icon for each chapter is actually a small clip from that chapter. Very impressive but takes AGES to render.

Although Nero burning rom seems to get a bad press on the internet for burning DVDs I've had no problems with it (version 5.5.10).

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 12:55 pm

Since you're getting into the DVD burning game, you might want to know of these cats

http://www.allmediaoutlet.com/index.html

cheapest source of blank CD's and DVD's I know of. I've been very happy with their stuff.

Mushiman · Post by **Mushiman** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 5:52 pm

Just ordered the Pioneer A05 from Dabs.com for Ã‚Â£118 including VAT & postage

:D:D

:P;)

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **Matt** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 6:10 pm

That's it. Rub it in. You got it 20 quid cheaper!

What DVD-Rs are you going to use? I can recommend Samsung BeAll and Datawrite Classics.

For data stuff everything has worked just fine. As I mentioned before the only probs I have had are with my standalone player.

I flashed my drive with the hacked firmware so I can write the above media at its rated speed, not the speed Pioneer wanted me to write them at

Mushiman · Post by **Mushiman** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 6:51 pm

I was thinking of using Datawrite, as i've used them on my friends burner, also Bulkpaq too. There is a shop near me that sells them for Ã‚Â£1 each, or at least it used to

Where did you download your "hacked" firmware?? Weren't you a bit worried that the firmware was "hacked"??

Post by **Matt** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 11:02 pm

I was slighty worried but I read lots of posts from people who tried it without problems.

There is currently a hacked 1.33 firmware but when I did mine I used 1.3

Have a look at this forum :

http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=12632

Other useful links :

http://forum.rpc1.org/

http://pioneerdvd.rpc1.org/

All I can say is it worked fine for me. Allowed me to burn media at its rated speed rather than the default x1. worth reading up on anyway even if you decide not to bother. The hacked firmware also removes region encoding. Which is a good thing because region encoding SUCKS.

Mushiman · Post by **Mushiman** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 5:46 pm

Thanks Matt

Region encoding. Does that mean you can watch any region DVD then??

DoDGe · Post by **DoDGe** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 7:10 pm

where can I get cheap dvd writers (combos) for a laptop?

Post by **Matt** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 10:03 am

I think you should consider an 'external' writer. Maybe USB or Firewire. Not as neat as an internal drive but for laptop use it will give you a bit more flexability. Plus you can use it on a variety of different machines. Unfortunately I don't really know much about external units.

For UK purchases have a look at Dabs and Ebuyer

pip · Post by **pip** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 2:24 pm

it is a lot easier using the +r dvd's than the -r for player compatibility, they cost a few pence more per disc but the end product is well worth it!

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 2:18 am

Very helpful all, I actualy think I might get over the fear of wasting DVD-R and try my DVD burner.

El Brenty · Post by **El Brenty** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 12:36 pm

My CD-R packed up a couple of days ago - It keeps throwing the tray out. I'm just using it as a cup holder now!

Looking to get a DVD-RW near the end of the year! One that I can somehow hook up to my VCR!

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 2:56 pm

Do they make those. You'll probably have to use your computer as a go between.

El Brenty · Post by **El Brenty** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 3:26 pm

I'll have to do some research into it. My graphics card has the video out, just need to get a capture card to go the other way! Then I can use the DVD as a player also, and see movies on my Panasonic 32" widescreen TV!

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 3:29 pm

Have fun.

El Brenty · Post by **El Brenty** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 3:36 pm

The only drawback to doing that is that all my movies are on VHS casette!

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 3:55 pm

That's a resion, Your living in the past.