NEC 8X Dual Layer Burner 2510a $88

[arogan]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-023&depa=0

I just picked up one of these.
- So far it burns my memorex 4x media at 6x (about 10min).
- Burn quality is very good (did a nero surface scan).
- Compatibility so far seems fine with stand alone players.
- Haven't tried Dual Layer yet since those blanks are suppose to be around $14 each that is if you can even find one.

Great burner at a great price. Highly recommended even if you don't plan to do to DL burning for sometime.

[firstadopter]

Wow these things get cheaper and cheaper. What a deal!

[Rogue]

Yikes,

now I need to scrape up some more money. I can't believe this -$88 for a dual layer burner. Looks like my pioneer is going to my second machine as a backup...............

Thanks for the info

[firstadopter]

What is dual layer good for another than double the backup storage space? Can you make dual layer home video DVDs?

[Rogue]

It's good for getting me to spend my money (yep, I'm a sucker).

But you have a point, and I have been thinking along the same line. It might not be worth replacing my current drive - just yet. But still, being able to backup 9+ Gig of data is something to consider. I would not use it too often, but I can see using it once in a while; at least until the media becomes a bit more affordable.

[arogan]

Basically if you need 8.5gb of contiguous space it comes in handy.
The DL discs are compatible with stand alone dvd players. For example my dvd player will play mp3's burned on a DVD. Think how many songs I could fit on a single DL disc, how many divx files can you cram on one disc, or even for backup purposes.

It really comes down to why not. It's only about $20 more than a single layer burner. Media prices will drop (est $4 by fall). I had a sony 4x dvd burner before so I get an upgrade in speed and more flexibility if I ever need that extra space.

Now the real question is can anybody tell me where I can get my hands on some DL media? I think verbatim is the only manufacturer at the moment but several more are coming on board this month.

[arogan]

Price just dropped to $85 free shipping.

[ziphnor]

There is alot of modded firmware (and community interest in) available for the NEC 2500 / 2510.
Take a look in the NEC forums at cdfreaks.com:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=86

Im gonna buy one myself in a few weeks.

[curiousz]

I purchased this burner last month.

Great deal at 80 dollars now.

No dual layer media yet, but has burned everything for me perfectly.

[MailManX]

For those of you already using this machine, has it been pretty compatible with the average media? I typically don't buy really cheap generic disks, but I also don't necessarily buy the top dollar stuff either.

I don't own a DVD burner yet, so I'm looking to buy my first. My main use would be as backup and I honestly don't care if I have DL or not. It's painfully slow. More important to me than DL is speed, accuracy and ability to get along with the majority of media available.

Any opinions on this NEC vs the Lite-on SOHW-832S that Newegg has for $85 (retail pkg)? That unit is also DL. There's also the 12X Lite-on 1213S for $91. It doesn't have DL, but as I mentioned above, I don't care about that.

Michael

[kf_man]

I have a Lite-On LDW-411S and I couldn't be happier with it (except for the 4x burn speed, but hey I got it for $90 at Best Buy on Black Friday last year). It's no speed demon, but very reliable as I haven't had a bad burn yet. I have burned a few DVDs, both data and video and they have all worked great. I'm very happy with it, but when they come out with a 16x Dual layer, I'm game (I'm a college student, I hope that doesn't come out for a while). Anyway, on top of that I have a 52x CD-RW and that has been flawless as well. I have been really happy with Lite-On and I would call them first rate stuff.

[arogan]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-132-344&depa=0

Ridata 4X
100 for about $41 after rebate

Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR01
Media Product Revision Number 02h
Free Blocks 405405696
Free Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 5.9x 8112KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 4.0x 5540KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.4x 3324KBps
Linear Density Blank Disc
Track Density Unknown
Number of Layers 1

Burns fine at 6x on my nec 2510a

Very good quality stuff

[MailManX]

Arogan, isn't the 2510a an 8X recorder? Is there good availability of media that will record at 8X?

[CAG]

Originally posted by MailManX
Arogan, isn't the 2510a an 8X recorder? Is there good availability of media that will record at 8X?
Yes...it'll burn DVD+R and DVD-R media @ 8X and DL media @ 2.4X. Yes...8X media is in good supply. The best prices I found when factoring in things like shipping were at meritline.com

[arogan]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-031&depa=0

16X write speeds, 4X on DL media.
$91 shipped

[CAG]

That's great price. My only problem with it is that its OEM...Dell has shipped tons of OEM NEC drives in their Dimension systems and from the posts I read on Dell's support board, they don't hold up very well. I guess OEM is OK for some stuff but I'd never buy an OEM burner.

[firstadopter]

I buy OEM all the time (hard-drives, CD-ROMs, graphic cards, etc.)... basically anything hardware.

It's much cheaper, I think the real caveat isn't OEMing, it's more the brand and model quality of each specific product.

I have no clue about NECs though. Back in the day my NEC 2x speed CD-ROM worked find on my old Gateway Pentium 60mhz. LOL

[TheAngryIntern]

has anyone been able to find any DL media???? I'm not going to be spending money on a DL drive, if there aren't any DL discs to go with it, cuz by then there will probably be a newer drive out.

[arogan]

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;?CategoryName=hid_pr_cpu_dbllayermedia&Dept=cpu_accessories

That's the cheapest I've found so far. I haven't tried them yet.

[TheAngryIntern]

NICE!! thanks arogan. $10 a piece isn't too bad considering when the DL drives were announced they said the media would be about $15 a piece.

[firstadopter]

What do people use their dual layer media for? Saving photos? Mp3s? Movies?

[TheAngryIntern]

i would imagine the most common use for them will be copying commercial DVD's

e.g. get movie from netflix, copy it onto your DL DVD, and return movie.

[CAG]

Folks wouldn't do that, TIA, 'cause that would be illegal...;)...DL discs really expand DVD authoring, audio and data storage, etc. They're really quite useful. If they can get the price down to ~$2 per disc and get burn speeds up to 8X or more, I'd probably consider upgrading from my Plextor PX-708A.

[TheAngryIntern]

rgr, CAG. I have that same burner, and I'm quite satisfied with it for now. I was thinking along the same lines as you as far as upgrading: wait a generation or two until the speeds come up.

[firstadopter]

At $10 a pop, you might as well buy the DVD. Lol

[CAG]

Originally posted by TheAngryIntern
rgr, CAG. I have that same burner, and I'm quite satisfied with it for now. I was thinking along the same lines as you as far as upgrading: wait a generation or two until the speeds come up.
I'm with you, TAI...I love my 708A...the differnece b/t its 8X burn speed and the newer 16X's is a matter of minutes and not worth the upgrade and, with all of the compression software around, I haven't found a need for DL.

[CAG]

Originally posted by Rendition
At $10 a pop, you might as well buy the DVD. Lol
Very true.

[AJK1]

And that's if you can even find DL media to buy. For the longest time--months--I couldn't even find 8x media for my 8x burner! My bet is that DL media won't be available in your local Best Buy for a long long time to come. ;)

AJ

[CAG]

You're right, AJ. With DL media @ ~$10/disc and good single layer media @ ~$1/disc, DL doesn't make much sense imo. As more and more mfg's start making it though, the availability will go up and price down.