The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    DVD double layer...questions

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by adamm321, Feb 28, 2008.

  1. adamm321

    adamm321 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hi,

    I am shopping for a computer and I see they are offering DVD players with a Double Layer format. I looked up what a double layer is, but that doesn't tell me whether it is a desirable feature or not. Can anyone offer experience with these players and the media that they use? Are there any drawbacks or concerns? Is it hard to find the media to use with them or are there any restrictions to where you can play them?

    Thanks
    adam
     
    adamm321, Feb 28, 2008
    #1
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

    Reputations:
    5,504
    Messages:
    9,788
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    They use Double-Layer DVDs. Surprisingly, they hold double the data of a single-layer DVD. They can only be read by other DL drives.
     
    Lithus, Feb 28, 2008
    #2
  3. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

    Reputations:
    374
    Messages:
    2,916
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Erm, every DVD drive should be able to read DL discs. Movies are done on DL discs.

    But yeah, they hold about 8.5 gigs after formatting vs. 4.4 or so of a single layer disc.
     
    hollownail, Feb 28, 2008
    #3
  4. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

    Reputations:
    5,504
    Messages:
    9,788
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Sorry. Should be "written to".
     
    Lithus, Feb 28, 2008
    #4
  5. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

    Reputations:
    4,018
    Messages:
    6,046
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Sometimes I think that you're a comedian.
     
    Bog, Feb 28, 2008
    #5
  6. kobe_24

    kobe_24 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    292
    Messages:
    1,088
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    He did clarify he meant read to. :D

    adamm321

    Dual Layer is important to me, so I don't have to use DVD Shrink to make an exact copy of my movie DVD's...which tend to be around 7 to 8gb's in size.
     
    kobe_24, Feb 28, 2008
    #6
  7. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

    Reputations:
    4,018
    Messages:
    6,046
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    206
    ^^ I was referring to the sentence in which he said, "surprisingly, it holds double the data."
     
    Bog, Feb 28, 2008
    #7
  8. lokster

    lokster Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    63
    Messages:
    1,046
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    dual layer is highly useful in backup up data, i get the capacity of 2dvds in one with dual layer! how cool is that! :p
     
    lokster, Feb 28, 2008
    #8
  9. Gregory

    Gregory disassemble?

    Reputations:
    2,869
    Messages:
    1,831
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    There are no drawbacks to having a double layer drive. Every one i've seen can still write single layer DVD's, so you won't be missing out on anything.

    Basically you are just getting an added feature in case the need for it ever arises.
     
    Gregory, Feb 28, 2008
    #9
  10. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    7,101
    Messages:
    5,757
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    What if it costs more? :D
     
    powerpack, Feb 28, 2008
    #10
  11. Gregory

    Gregory disassemble?

    Reputations:
    2,869
    Messages:
    1,831
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    True... Be money wise ;)
     
    Gregory, Feb 28, 2008
    #11