best dvd burning software

[apropos]

I am looking for dvd software to go with my plextor 708UF external burner. Easy Creator 6 that came with got horrible reviews.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

a.

 

[Welly Wu]

Heh...we both have the Plextor PX-708UF. Mine's silver. Did you get one of Plextor's Spectrum Series for your 708UF?

Anyway, the best free option nowadays IMHO is DVD Shrink. Go to http://www.dvdshrink.org . It's free and you can get going on making copies with just a few mouse clicks. You'll want to configure the options of course before you try it out and you'll need to know whether the DVD-ROM and consumer electronics DVD-Video players in your home will read either DVD + / - R/RW formats or both. Most of the time, most DVD-Video players can read DVD +R/RW. Anyway, buy a small package of DVD-RW or DVD+RW discs and reuse the disc until you've mastered how to do it. Go to http://www.bestbuy.com or http://www.mediasolutions.com to find out the current deals on blank DVD + / - R/RW media. Make sure you check the Plextor website frequently, like once a month, as they issue firmware patches (current: 1.04 US). Plextor plans on issuing either a firmware upgrade or factory serviced chip swap so that our drives will be able to read and write to DVD 9 (dual layer) + / - R/RW discs by the third quarter or so of 2004.

Whew!

 

[apropos]

Yep. But mine is due to arrive in the middle of next week, and I so I don't know what color it is. On dell's site (from which it was purchased) it looked silver. I'll let you know once I get it.

Thanks for the software link - it really looks promising. However, I also need software to create data DVDs. I don't mind paying for the software (up to $100 or so). Which software of that kind is best, in your opinion? And which software are you using to burn data DVDs with your plextor?

Thanks,
a.

 

[Welly Wu]

Get Ahead NERO 6 Ultra Edition for all of your CD / DVD burning needs. Get Dantz Retrospect Professional for all of your data backup needs (not backing up your data = playing with fire). The data backup program that comes with NERO 6 Ultra Edition is too anemic and inflexible IMHO. DVD Shrink is the best compromise DVD-Video decrypter / encoder / burner IMHO. Of course, it is compatible with DVD 9 Dual Layer ( ~8.5GB capacity) DVD + / - R/RW discs too. However, we will need the firmware upgrade or chip swap done by Plextor. I got both Ahead NERO 6 Ultra Edition and Dantz Retrospect Professional and I use both regularly myself.

 

[apropos]

Plextor has arrived and it is silver. I thought of going for Nero but right now they are in the process of releasing the newest version of their software, so I decided to go for NTI CD/DVD Maker Platinum. And, since I don't really need all the Nero's features, I guess I'll stick with it for now.

Anyway, thanks again for the advice!

a.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

apropos,

Make sure to download their software and utilize their 30 day trial period. I have tried both Nero and NTI, and depending upon the computer one worked better than the other, and the other software would lock up the computer.

 

[Duncan]

I personally still prefer / use Nero 5.5 with my DVD burner...

Nero 6, as SIE has said, on my computer locks it up... which isn't so hot, whilst 5.5 works perfectly

 

[apropos]

Quote:

Originally posted by ServinginEcuador apropos, Make sure to download their software and utilize their 30 day trial period. I have tried both Nero and NTI, and depending upon the computer one worked better than the other, and the other software would lock up the computer.

Yep, that's what I did and NTI seems to work fine so far. I don't like to clutter my computer with too much software; it seems to me that Nero would install iteslf all over the place, whereas NTI appears to be more modest.

 

[apropos]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan I personally still prefer / use Nero 5.5 with my DVD burner... Nero 6, as SIE has said, on my computer locks it up... which isn't so hot, whilst 5.5 works perfectly

I think they are coming up with an upgraded version of nero 6 - perhaps, this would fix this problem.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

apropos,

Glad to hear NIt worked out. I have it on my laptop and used it extensively. It always worked flawlessly for me. My father-in-law uses Nero, and NIT won't work on his computer. I guess it's either the drive or a driver conflict of some kind.

 

[rickcr42]

another vote for nero 5 ,works great

and I keep EAC around for those discs that are so screwed up they will not function with normal copy programs for archiving irreplaceable discs

 

[hottyson]

Quote:

Originally posted by Welly Wu Plextor plans on issuing either a firmware upgrade or factory serviced chip swap so that our drives will be able to read and write to DVD 9 (dual layer) + / - R/RW discs by the third quarter or so of 2004.

Wow! That is some fantastic news to me. I think I will get a dvd burner when they are able to burn dual-layer!
Thanks

 

[apropos]

Welly,

Recently I tried using EAC to rip my CDs from Plextor. However, every time I initiallized EAC (95 beta 4), my system crashed. If I used other versions of EAC (e.g. 95 beta 5), my system was OK but EAC did not recognize the Plextor drive at all (i.e. the drive did not appear in the drop-down menu on the left).

Have you tried using EAC? If so, can you please let me know whether you had similar problems?

Thanks,
a.

 

[Welly Wu]

Apropos:

I don't have EAC prebeta 5 installed on my computer. What is your hardware specs? What is your OS and status of patches? If you got the PX-708A/UF, then did you update to version 1.06 firmware? It was released on March 18th, 2004. You can get it from either the European or American website of http://www.plextor.com ! It is CRITICAL that you get it ASAP! That would resolve any issues. Remember: EAC is still in either prebeta or beta version so it may be that piece of software is causing the system lockups or freezes and crashes. I recommend that you update and patch your drive, your OS, and reboot frequently. I'll install EAC on my machine and take detailed notes on how it works but later this afternoon. I'll try to get back to you on this one.

 

[apropos]

Thank you so much for the tip on the firmwire update. Right now I am in the middle of converting some files so I cannot install the patch right away. But once the convertion is over, this will be the first thing I do. I'll let you know what happens...