Dimension 9200 - adding dual layer (lightscribe?) DVD burner - what is compatible?

Jeff,

 

Thanks for the info  - and the tip on the Verbatim DVD-R media.

 

I'll try to remember to reply to the last post from now on. I wasn't aware of the thread viewing options and problems I may have been causing  :smileysurprised:

 

Tony

 

PS.....the DVD burners I'm seeing online - they are all 5.25" internals unless otherwise stated correct? (the USB externals are obvious, but they typically don't state the sizes on the internal drives).

Some of the DL drives advertise reduced speeds for DVD-R and some mention DL is available but not for all media types. What's with this? How can I guarantee that I can burn to DL media for all -R or +R combinations? Can you recommend a DL Lightscribe drive that supports all DVD media?

Hi, Tony:

 

You mentioned you'd prefer to use a lightscribe burner for "higher quality (uncompressed?) DVDs". Unfortunately, there is no difference in video quality between a lightscribed DVD and a regular. The lightscribe feature only allows you to burn a title or image onto the top (non-data side) of the disc. It's a very cool idea, especially for those who like to prepare home videos, for example. But as mentioned above, the discs are relatively expensive and the process of burning a title or image is generally longer than the process of burning the DVD itself.

 

My only experience with lightscribe was an HP burner I purchased and installed for my father, who has since not even used the lightscribe feature. :(

osprey4:

 

Thanks for your reply. I put dual layer and lightscribe in the same sentence with "uncompressed" to save typing - I meant that the dual layer would allow me to burn movies (especially the longer ones) with much less compression and higher quality than what I'm currently using - or so I'm led to believe.

 

I have one other question tho:

I see OEM versions of burners online- I assume they come with no accessories - cables, software, mounting screws? Hence the cheaper prices.

 

How in the world am I supposed to mount this thing in my case without any screws, etc. I think I have some left-over SATA cables from my new hard drive install. But I'd hate to have the DVD burner flopping around without any screws holding it in place. Any tips? Does the 9200 have hardware retention mechanisms built-in similar to the spring clips that hold my hard drive in place or will I have to look for mouting screws somewhere?

 

Thanks again,

 

Tony