DVD Writers Explained

DVD writers are now capable of writing at much faster speeds than they were when they first came out. In 2005 you were lucky to get rewrite speeds of 4x, now they are well over 20. The speed multiple refers to how fast it is possible to write to the DVD compared to playing it. A 22x DVD rewriter can write a whole DVD 22 times faster than it can play it. This is possible with the new Serial ATA (SATA) technology introduced in 2003. Older technology drives are called IDE or PATA drives.

Common features include data / password / copy protection, digital signature, data reliability check, data integrity check. A blank DVD can still cost a few pounds so it’s vital to ensure you write to it correctly by using these features. Many DVDs are set to play only in certain regions of the world, so another good idea is to buy a DVD rewriter that will allow playback of all discs. This feature will usually be called region-free.

You can get both internal & external DVD rewriters. External ones are perfect for use with laptops & often come with a self powered option. Prices start from around £20 for internal drives & £40 for external drives (2009 prices).

There are many different variations of DVD that are available, so you need to make sure your rewriter can handle the ones you use. These are DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+R/RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R/RW, DVD-R DL & DVD-RAM. You should check your needs thoroughly before parting with your money.