Comments

Chienworks wrote on 8/2/2006, 5:35 PM
I picked up a Lite-On EZ-Dub model at WalMart a little while back. List price $90, open box special for $50. It burns DVD single layer at 16x and DL at 4x. I've done about 50 discs on it so far and not a hitch at all. I've burned CD-Rs at 48x and they were fine.
HaroldC wrote on 8/3/2006, 3:45 PM
Chienworks if you don't mind my asking, what version of DVDA are you using? From what I have gleaned from other posts some versions have more problems with DL than others. Also did you uninstall, then reinstall DVDA after connecting the DL?

Does the DL allow only a longer video to be made or does it also allow a video to be made with less compression?

That is about the price that I have seem for other models. I'm looking at the Memorex 32023288 DVD Double-Layer Recorder 16x16 Dual Format External Drive on Amazon for $90. It has firewire and usb connectivity.

Thanks,
Harold
Chienworks wrote on 8/3/2006, 5:56 PM
Well, to preface, i am using the full version of DVDA, not the studio version. That probably shouldn't make any difference in this case as the studio version lacks fancy features, not core functionality. I'm using 3.0c.

My complete and total procedure to switch to this drive was to plug the drive in and connect it to a USB port. Done. I did absolutely nothing else. I then prepared and burned an 8GB project without a hitch. I've only done one DL video so far though. I've mostly been using the drive for data backups.

You can use less compression on a shorter video if you wish. You have 8.3GB available to use as you wish. Just keep in mind that most DVD players will choke if you go over about 9.8Mbps combined audio and video. So if you're already rendering with a max bit rate above 8Mbps you won't get much improvement by switching to dual layer.
HaroldC wrote on 8/4/2006, 3:52 PM
Thanks, I'll probably order one before to long.

Harold
HaroldC wrote on 8/6/2006, 8:49 AM
I've order the Memorex that I had mentioned. It had good reviews on Amazon, it is realatively affordable and it has firewire connection. I should have it in about a week. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks
HaroldC wrote on 8/14/2006, 4:14 PM
Well my Memorex dl writer came in a few days ago. I have made several movies. The image quality is very good. I can't tell the difference from the directv signal or dvd and my disc. Now the discs are rather particular about playing. I have to start the disc several times before it will play. Also when I attempt to fast forward from scene to scene it stops and pixelates. The same with fast fowarding.

The first disc I attempted to write to a dl disc through DVDA it would not write. It came up saying that I had to place a scene marker in a certain time frame of the movie. But I just burned the disc in Nero.

So far so good.