dell dvd burner

when you order a dvd burner, can you burn dvds (like real dvds) or is there only one port so you can only burn things on your HD already.

 

Not sure if I understand your question, but I'm gonna take a shot anyways. I think you mean is there only one optical drive? Yes, there is only one optical drive, so yes, you would have to make an iso or some other format of the DVD onto your hard drive. Then you could burn it to DVD.

 

Thanks.. Yeah, that was my question.

How does one make an ISO or whatever onto the HD?

 

Use something like Nero or UltraISO.

 

As long as its not a copyrighted DVD, you should have no problems using Nero or any other program for ISO.

For future refernece when you talk about DVDs and Harddrives in the same post/thread, just make sure you put HDD for Harddrive, because when you say HD especially when you're talking about DVD's it makes one think that you're talking about High Definition.

 

just to add on to the software part:

When you order a dell computer, you will receive Sonic RecordNow as the burning program. This will burn DVDs/CDs and i believe Sonic also rips both.

Anyways, you don't have to buy additional software. It is also a preference thing. Alot of users don't like Sonic and go with Nero, which is what I did.

SG

 

Wow, forgot about the sonic thing. I formatted my system pretty much as soon as I got it. I couldn't stand Trend-Micro popping up every 5 seconds asking me to use it.

 

LOL, I formatted mine too as soon as I got it, but i remember hating Sonic.

 

Anyone know how good the 8X DVD Burner is?
how ofter will it make coasters?

 

Think it's more a function of the discs you use. Also, if you burn at lower speeds you'll make coasters less often. I personally use 16X speed discs from Memorex and burn at 8X speed. I got a 100 of them from Best Buy for $20. I think they recently raised their price though to a $30 for the 100 pack. I haven't made any coasters so far, but then again I haven't made too many DVD's yet.

 

I use on Verbatim DVD-R and Verbatim DVD+R DL.
I have a Liteon at home and a NEC at work. NEC has a 10% failure rate while my Liteon has a 50% failure rate.

 

I just ordered an Inspiron B130 with the DVD burner option.

Does anyone know if this burner will do DVD Bitsetting on DVD+R media for maximum compatibility?

Thanks,

Civuck