DVD burner & software and cd burner software

[bdj]

I have 2 questions;

1. I would like to buy a DVD burner and player and software for both, for my systems at home. Any opinions on Hardware and Software.

2. I have two different systems to put this on.

Hardware
Motherboard; Tyan dual PIII 600mhz / 100mhz fsb with 256mb ram or a Tyan single PIII 600mhz / 100mhz fsb with 256mb ram.

OS
Both systems are Configurable with swappable Boot drives. One for W98, one for W2k, and one for XP Pro.

Any opinion for Hardware / OS configuration.

I will be adding a fire wire card so I can copy tapes from my Sony Mini DV camcorder to a DVD.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

bdj

[squeech]

I would recommend the Pioneer DVR-A04 and A05 drives. IMO, these are the strongest drives available on the market now. However, they do lack the versatility for +R media.

Sony also makes a drive, the DRU500A. This is also a very good drive, and it allows you to burn to both -R and +R medias.

As far as software is concerned, my Pioneer came with Sonic's "MyDVD". For basic burning of movie files into a template, this works great. However, if you want more control over your menus, first plays, etc. Sonic also make "DVDit! Professional Edition". I do pretty much all my burning in there. Generally the drives will come with Nero as well (although I'm not sure of that with Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 being out) for basic TS folder and CD recording.

I also use a slew of freeware tools to rip and encode from the DVDs I have now (nothing illegal...).

Here is a great link to a page with some awesome info regarding tools and tutorials for DVD burning (I would buy one professional tool, and do the rest with these free setups).

Hope this helps!!

[bdj]

Thanks for the info squeech,

Anybody with any more ideas

bdj

[bdj]

^^^^BUMP^^^^