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Portable DVD’s allow you to take your movies with you anywhere. They make great gifts for families with children as they can be installed in vehicles. Road trips are easier with portable DVD players. They can be taken on airplanes, buses, and trains as well so regardless of how you travel you can have some good entertainment. Here is some information to help you make a good choice when it comes to purchasing one. There are some basic features that you need to make sure the portable DVD player has:They include the size of the screen, the quality of the picture, the quality of the audio, how long the battery lasts after being charged, how you connect it, and of course the size of the device. In most cases you will find you pay more money not for additional features but for a larger viewing screen when it comes to portable DVD players. An average size screen is 7 inches and the larger ones are 10 inches. Make sure you purchase a quality portable DVD player will a good warranty. Both Panasonic and Sony top the charts with the best overall portable DVD players on the market. Panasonic offers the DVD-LX97 has a 9 inch screen that pivots so you can adjust it to the comfort of the person using as well as the position they are in. It also offers a transmitter than allows you to put the sound through the speakers in your car. It also has one of the longest lasting batteries with 10 hours if it has a full charge. It is a good product but pricey with a $300 price tag. Sony’s portable DVD player is much less at around $200. It only has an 8 inch screen but it swivels and it has jacks for two sets of headphones if you want to share it with someone. One of the short comings of it though is the battery life is only four hours. It does have an adapter for your car cigarette lighter to recharge but if you aren’t traveling in a car that option doesn’t help you.  ... one of the biggest screens around.
For around $150 you can purchase the Toshiba SD-P1850. If features an 8 inch screen that supports all the other elements including JPEG and MP3 Audio. It also features the dual headphone jacks that are very popular. This model won’t offer you the picture or the sound quality that the others do but it isn’t too poor to make the movies you view distracting either. There are several less expensive portable DVD players on the market but if you are going to invest in one than go with these even though they cost more. Many of the lower priced portable DVD players just don’t offer good sound or picture quality. They also have a low battery life and in many cases the DVD’s often freeze during play. All of the portable DVD players for under $150 just didn’t measure up to the consumer expectations. Since portable DVD players are a fairly new product to the market though you can expect some huge improvements and hopefully some drop in price over the next couple of years.
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The Sony DVDirect VRD-MC1 is a great product that allows you to transfer data from a video to a DVD. It also features a memory card option for photos. However it does not offer any video out ports. It does offer ports for a USB cable, a firewire so you can add a digital feed, three multicard ports...
With the Sony DVDirect VRD-MC1 you will be able to quickly and effectively transfer data. This newer version offers a 2 inch color LCD so that you can see what is being recorded. All you have to do to record is push the record button. You can also choose to view the information that will be copied before you do so using the preview menu.
One disappointing area of the Sony DVDirect VRD-MC1 is that it doesn’t offer an interactive menu. To cope with that it is recommended that you install some more adanced tools with authoring features. The menu offered allows you to choose from five different modes so that you get the best quality results. Your options include HQ, HSP, SP, SLP, and LP. The HQ mode offers you up to 1 hour of recording and the SLP offers you up to six hours. For the best results use the SP option which offers you two hours of recording time. You can also choose to use a double layered DVD for twice the amount of time listed here for a single DVD.
Independent testing with the Sony DVDirect VRD-MC1 shows that you can rip a 4.5 GB DVD in only 5 ½ minutes, burn a 4.56 GB DVD in 6 minutes, and burn a 30 minute VCD in under 2 minutes. Overall, the Sony DVDirect VRD-MC1 receives 4 ½ out of 5 stars when the ratings have all been tallied. In fact it has been nominated for several Editors Choice Awards. It is a good buy for the price, retailing at about $225. You can purchase it online or at most electronics stores. |
 The LaCie 16X d2DVD+ / -RW Double Layer DVD rewriter is an external model that operates at a fairly fast speed and supports both single and double layer DVD’s and CD’s. What it lacks in speed though it definitely makes up in quality. Consumers are very happy with the consistent quality copies they get when they use the LaCie 16X 2d2DVD+ / -RW Double Layer DVD rewriter.
It also features an auto sensing dual FireWire and USB interface as well as many Roxio applications that can be used on most Windows and Mac operating systems. It is one of the most compatible DVD rewriters available on the market. A 4.7 GB DVD video image can be copied in just over 7 minutes. A 30 minute video can be recorded in less than 2 minutes.
Some of the downfalls of the LaCie 16X d2DVD+ / -RW Double Layer DVD rewriter is that it doesn’t support MP3 encoding and the DVD ripping process is extremely slow. However, in their defense the LaCie 16X d2DVD+ / -RW Double Layer DVD rewriter may have been designed without them to allow consumers to purchase the product at a lower cost, especially those consumers who are happy without the MP3 encoding as it is not a feature they would be using.
Overall, the LaCie 16X d2DVD+ / -RW Double Layer DVD rewriter is a pretty basic DVD burner that offers substantial quality but it isn’t one of the fastest machines out there. It is very economical at a cost of less than $200. You can purchase this product on the internet or at various electronics retailers.
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 The HPDVD Movie Writer dc5000 is getting rave reviews when it comes to the process of copying DVD’s. It is also one of the simplest to operate, making it even more of a bargain. Consumers also like that it offers the opportunity to use double layer DVD’s.
The picture quality from the HP DVD Movie Writer dc5000 is the biggest selling point. None of the competitors even come close to offering the same clarity.
The process of copying the data is very fast so you don’t have to spend a great deal of time getting this product set up or getting your DVD’s completed. For added convenience there is also an extra USB port in case you want to add an external device. However, the HP DVD Movie Writer dc5000 doesn’t offer the ability to capture digital video sources and there is no FireWire interface.
One of the reasons the HP DVD Movie Writer dc5000 is so simple to operate is because it features a video capture wizard that runs any time you select a button on it. The wizard offers you four different recording quality levels to choose from, a menu designer, it generates jewel case art, captures footage to your hard drive, and allows you to arrange the captured clips on a timeline before you store then onto a disc. The only complaint about the wizard screens is that most of them don’t feature a Back button. Many consumers love the color options that are included in the HP DVD Movie Writer dc500.
If you are looking for a DVD writer that is fast, efficient, and easy to operate then the HP DVD Movie Writer dc5000 may be exactly what you are looking for. The product retails for under $250 and you can find it online or at any electronics store. This product is considered to be the best in regards to operating and quality. |
 The BenQ DW1625 LightScribe is the first rewriter that features the LightScribe disc labeling technology that was developed by Hewlett Packard. It uses a CD laser to etch the surface of the media used. However, it does seem that that labeling tends to fade over time. It also features the Nero 6.6 software suite so it is a fast and effective tool for copying DVD’s and CD’s.
With the BenQ DW1625 LightScribe you will be able to copy quality CD’s and DVD’s for your own personal use. Don’t forget that you will also have a handy tool for easily labeling them as you create them. However, there are some flaws with the BenQ DW1625 LightScribe that you should be aware of.
It is only able to support monochromatic output. It also doesn’t produce color at this time, but maybe it will be offered in a future model down the road. While the etching to label the DVD’s or CD’s is a great feature it appears to take approximately 20 minutes to complete the process. You can cut the time in half by reducing the quality setting but then the results aren’t very good. The addition of the LightScribe means that the recording speed has dropped from 16x to 8x.
The product does offer superior performance though and for most data transfers the process is relatively quick. A 4.7 GB video image can be copied in just over 8 minutes. This is about 1 minute faster than the competition. A 30 minute DVD video can be recorded in less than 2 minutes. The BenQ DW1625 LightScribe is a very fast and efficient tool for copying DVD’s and CD’s. It retails for about $120 and can be purchased on the internet or from various electronics stores.
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 For the majority of the optical media types, the LiteOn SHM 165H6S is one of the top best for its all around performance. It may not be the fastest when it comes to dual-layer media support, but it can definitely pack a punch. What we’re looking at here for the LiteOn SHM 165H6S is great overall performance at a comfortable price as well! But the recording speeds for dual layer media is only at 4x. Details:
· 160ms CD and DVD Access Times
· 2MB Buffer and IDE Interface
· Lightscribe Support
· 16x DVD+R and DVD-R Recording Speeds
· 4x DVD+R and DVD-R Dual Layer Recording Speeds
· 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW Recording Speeds
· 16x DVD-ROM Reading Speeds
· 5x DVD-RAM Support
· 48x CD-R and 24x CD-RW Recording Speeds
· 48x CD-ROM Speeds
High performance at a steal!
LiteOn has actually become known for its high performance optical drives at prices that are a steal. The SHM-165H6S is their latest creation which also supports Lightscribe media and DVD-RAM. These additional features are great but the high speed dual layer media seems to slightly suffer. Both DVD+R and DVD-R dual layer only take on 4x media. It also comes in at a 24x CD-RW speed which does pale in comparison to others at 32x speeds. But for DVD recordable formats it is at a whopping 16x as well as 48x speeds for CD-R media.
Putting the consideration of dual layer media support aside, the LiteOn SHM-165H6S has great writing performance. For the music lover, it has a great recording speed for CD-R media. You can start pumping out those CD audio discs.
LiteOn Reviews
If you try to take a look at various personal user reviews of this model they can be summarized in the description “good product at a great price”. After reading the opinions of others, you’ll notice that the affordable price of the LiteOn DVD burner model is one of its greatest strengths in the eyes of the consumers. The Technical Support team for LiteOn also has a reputation for being very helpful as well as reliable.
Taking other LiteOn reviews into consideration, you may obviously think that this DVD burner model is a product which does its job at an affordable and comfortable price.
But in order to really see the product clearly, you should take a step back from the comments on the price in order to really review the features of the DVD burner itself. Once you have been able to objectively consider the DVD burner’s features and its quality of performance, then you may compare this with the cost and rate it accordingly. After which, you make do a few comparisons with other possible models and make your choice.
Final Judgment
Keep in mind that the LiteOn SHM-165H6S has one of the best prices for those drives that can actually support Lightscribe media which will allow you to burn a label straight to the label side of media which is Lightscribe compatible.
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 The Plextor PX-760A has a reputation of being the fastest DVD+R burner which you can get your hands on. Overall, its recording performance is good and it comes with a powerful software package. But some have criticized it for its monotonous DVD-R write performance. Read on to find out more about its performance and why it has been called one of the best DVD burners in the market today. Make the most of the information, then make your own decision Details:
· 100ms CD and 150ms DVD Access Times
· 2MB Buffer and IDE Interface
· Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 Basic and PlexTools Software
· 18x DVD+R and 16x DVD-R Recording Speeds
· 8x DVD+R and DVD-R Dual Layer Recording Speeds
· 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW Recording Speeds
· 16x DVD-ROM Reading Speeds
· 48x CD-R and 32x CD-RW Recording Speeds
· 48x CD-ROM Reading Speeds
Strengths
With standard DVD+R media, the new Plextor PX-760A is known to be capable of recording at 18x speeds. And it the specifications of similar burners are all met by this drive. For DVD-R, the drive may reach 16x speeds. Rewritable performance and dual layer support are both at 8x for DVD+RW and while its dual layer support is at 8x for DVD-RW its rewritable performance is at a lower 6x. Strong CD performance is also noted at 48x CD-R and 32x CD-RW support.
Plextor Support and Warranty
The PX-760A actually comes with a one-year warranty supported by Plextor. There is also toll-free telephone support from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. PT during weekdays. Plextor's online support isn’t like a user forum or live chat but there are regular firmware upgrades and PDF versions of manuals available. A number of FAQs are also ready-on-hand at the site as well as tutorials for eager consumers who won’t more information than that found in the average user guide which comes with the PX-760A by Plextor.
Plextor model reviews
If you check store reviews as well as personal consumer reviews, many of these posts are very positive and recommend the purchase of this burner as most of them describe it as ‘very fast’. These reviews can leave you with confidence in your choice. Take all these points into consideration when you make your final decision and purchase.
Final Judgment
When compared with other drives, the Plextor PX-760A was at the top of the pack as it recorded different types of media. It was only with 16x DVD-R media where its paced seemed to slow down a bit in comparison to its other high speeds. Its powerful access time numbers were reached as well. You may also find a list of compatible media types which Plextor has tested with their DVD burners for the benefit of your best writing experience. But of course the final judgment is with you. Shop online now - Enjoy No Interest for 6 months* |
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The Plextor PX-740UF is an external burner which can meet quality standards of performance but for a price. It has been known for its top scores in a number of popular burning tests, and boasts of USB 2.0 connectivity along with FireWire. For Mac users, the PX-740UF can still be a useful tool for those with personal software or OS X’s burning tools. Plextor PX-740UF  You won’t have to worry about installation because it is an external burner. For practically fast optical writing, just connect the AC adapter which comes with the burner and run the FireWire/USB cable to the PC. Nero 6 OEM is simple to install and for disc mastering comes with Express 6, for DVD authoring and video editing—NeroVision Express 2 SE, for photo slide shows-- Nero PhotoShow Express. The PX-740UF is 6.58x2.09x9.98 inches and black. More importantly, it appears sturdily built and won’t take a single drop to shatter it to pieces. A number of burners are known for either good ripping or quality writing but the PX-740UF can tackle both well. It can write a 4.4GB movie to a single-layer DVD+R in just under 6 minutes and a 7.9GB movie to a double-layer DVD+R in just under 15 minutes. A single-layer disc was ripped in just about 6 minutes while a double-layer disc was done in just under 12 minutes. These are both great times. It may have been a bit slower in ripping but still managed to make the top 10! Re-writable media from a +RW disc was read in just about 6 minutes and it takes about 7 minutes to write. These write tests were conducted using Verbatim media and the drive’s maximum speed was used for rating. The PX-740UF actually comes with a one-year warranty supported by Plextor. There is also toll-free telephone support from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. PT during weekdays. Plextor's online support isn’t like a user forum or live chat but there are regular firmware upgrades and PDF versions of manuals available. A number of FAQs are also ready-on-hand at the site as well as tutorials for eager consumers willing to go more in-depth than the average user guide which comes with the PX-740UF by Plextor. Overall, in terms of design there are some minor faults in the Plextor PX-740UF mentioned above that the consumer should keep in mind, even through its strengths. With regard to features, this goes the same. Its performance is superior to others in a way that its minor faults need not be given so much attention. Although, the service and support this model provides is about normal compared to others. If you check personal consumer reviews, many of these posts are very positive and recommend the purchase of this burner as they describe it as ‘very fast’ and ‘a buy you won’t regret’. Store reviews of the model are also equally as positive and may leave you feeling confident in this burner model. Take all these points into consideration when you make your final decision and purchase. Shop online now - Enjoy No Interest for 6 months* |
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In May 2006, Pioneer Electronics let out news that it was going to ship out the industry’s first Blu-ray computer drive. Randy Hudson, member of the DVD Association, and president and CEO of Broadness, a media service company which offers A/V media services, digital cinema media services, and online video and audio media delivery solutions says "In order to serve our clients' needs at the highest level, we must anticipate their needs for uses of new media formats. The professional DVD production community has always counted on Pioneer to deliver technologies, products and support that allows us to exceed our clients' expectations."
25GB of data can be burned up on a single-layer Blu-ray disc with the BDR-101A through blue laser technology. The Blu-ray computer drive ships with blank TDK Blu-ray discs and Roxio Blu-ray Disc software.
The BDR-101A has DVD write speeds which may be considered slow-- 8X to single-layer -R and +R; 4X to -RW and +RW; 2.4X to double-layer +R; and 2X to double-layer -R. When writing to BD-R and BD-RE (rewritable) the write speed is 2X.
Once we are able to test it in live and in person we will add performance details.
Pricewise, this computer drive will cost you and the Blu-ray discs are pricey as well. After a general search on the web, you may see that BD-RE discs can cost you around $20 each while TDK BD-R discs sell for around $18.
Overall, if you check personal consumer reviews, many of these posts can’t help but comment on the price of the computer drive. Many are comparing it to the price of DVD’s when they first came out. Because of the pricey amount, people tend to comment more on the cash they need to give up rather than the take home of computer technology they’ll be taking with them. Of course this may concern the consumer, but in order to really see the product clearly, he/she should take a step back from the comments on the price in order to really review the features of the drive. Once he/she has been able to objectively consider the drive’s features and its quality of performance, then he/she may compare this with the cost and rate it accordingly. This gives the Blu-ray computer drive a much more fair chance at proving itself in the tech world and what it can offer. Take all these points into consideration when you make your final decision and purchase of a drive. |
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