I am planning to get a DVD RW / R drive ( DVD Burner) soon. So I was wondering if anyone has any tips for me.

Meanwhile I want to keep this 'checklist' current if I can help it...

I'll start with a few so that I can update the list here with whatever else that's suggested in a reply below.

Checklist for buying a single format DVD RW / R

• The format; suggested format is + i.e. DVD+RW/+R
• Can the DVD burner read DVD-R (the "minus" or - format)?
• Can the DVD drive read DVD-RAM discs? (may be hard to come by but you never know if you don't ask )?
• Does it support the Mt. Rainier standard?
• Does the DVD burner come with CD burning (and read) functions as well (i.e. CD-RW / CD-R)?
• What bundled software is available with the DVD+RW/+R drive? Maybe we need a few suggested titles here?

Feel free to add to this checklist by replying to this post. Hopefully when I am ready to actually buy the DVD Burner, I will be quite the 'expert'.

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J de Silva
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I am sure that you already purchased your burner, but this post is just for some added ideas for anyone else who is looking for advice on what to look for in a DVD burner.

Just a couple more suggestions to look at:

• Is the drive compatable with dual layer DVDs?
• What is the maximum burn speed of the drive?
• External VS. Internal Drive: Will you want to use it on many computers or just one computer?

The dual layer discs are still pretty spendy, but it may be worth it to buy a drive that supports burning them so you will not to upgrade as soon. I know that I recently received a DVD burner as a gift, and I love it, but at the same time I wish that I had a burner that works with dual layer discs.

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Feel free to visit my site at http://www.TerryPearson.com/

Don't forget a large buffer and integrated "coaster-proof" software that reduces the number of bad discs.

Some people may also be concerned about which OS the drive works with. I haven't tracked Linux and the fight for DVD use, but for Mac users, be aware that iMovie and iDVD (unless recently changed) only work w/ the internal SuperDrive. External DVD burners aren't supported yet.

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