IT Advice - DVD RW Drives

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 5:44 pm

ok, need some help here for someone who isn't the most technical minded

(that's me by the way

)

as my CDRW drive isn't working right (i have no luck) i have been using a ZIP drive to keep a back up of important documents that i can't afford to lose if anything goes wrong.

so i don't need loads of disks i was going to buy a Zip750 drive until i noticed external CDRW drives are much cheaper than they used to be.

so that made me think, my laptop can play DVD's but not write to them so if i am going to spend cash i may as well get an external DVD RW drive.

so here's the bit where i need help ............

1. can you use a DVD RW drive as a CD RW drive too ?

2. what's the difference between DVD +RW and DVD -RW

waiting on the flood of replies

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 5:52 pm

also would be happy to get advice on cheapest places to buy or best models.

no set price range as i don't mind paying for higher spec.

charlieannear · Post by **charlieannear** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 6:03 pm

I find the following sites to be useful

http://www.compshopper.co.uk

http://www.comp-buyer.co.uk

You'll need to register, but it's free and there are no catches.

And you probably won't find much more of a range or cheaper than http://www.dabs.com/home.asp

Post by **Lyndon** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 6:18 pm

or try www.ebuyer.co.uk or www.svp.co.uk not sure if they do external ones tho

nuttyslack · Post by **nuttyslack** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 6:34 pm

Derek,

1. can you use a DVD RW drive as a CD RW drive too ?

yep they can be used as cdrw as well.

2. what's the difference between DVD +RW and DVD -RW

as far as I know there isnt any difference in the way they are used but

dvd-rw are the most compatible with standalone dvd players, get a dual format one to get the best of both

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 9:39 pm

thanks all for the help so far

thebigkung · Post by **thebigkung** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 2:58 am

Derek,

1. can you use a DVD RW drive as a CD RW drive too ?

As previously answered, Yes.
Note: The Speed that DVD writers write to CD's is usually slower that a dedicated CD writer.

2. What's the difference between DVD +RW and DVD -RW

For backing up data, just the type of media to use for that drive. But reading data from your DVD on your laptop may not work in theory (although I've not found one that hasn't yet). Also It may play DVD -/+ R but not DVD -/+RW.

My XBOX will play DVD -R but not -RW for instance.

Essentially for video work when needing DVD's to playback on standalone DVD players DVD -R is said to be more compatible.

DVD +R is based on the same writing standard as CD R and therefore not aimed at standalone devices.

Now you can get a few drives that will take both media DVD -R(W) and + R(W)

If you want an external drive and you don't have USB 2 or Firewire then don't expect good performance (and maybe a few costers) when using it.

Hope this helps.