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Getting a DVD rewriter

  • 24-07-2009 6:22pm
    #1
    Jim236
    Closed Accounts Posts: 956 ✭✭✭


    Need a bit of help in deciding what to get when it comes to DVD rewriters. Up to now I've just been connecting the laptop to the telly to watch films, but can't be bothered with the hassle anymore and want to get a DVD rewriter for the main computer. Can anyone give a bit of advise on what exactly I should be looking for. I just want a cheap one that'll do the job, not lookin for anything fancy, but is there any compatibility issues? Looked on www.pixmania.ie and theres a few dozen pages to look through but I haven't a clue what I should be looking for.

    Any help appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    snappieT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭snappieT


    Your laptop probably has one, but you need to start worrying about the formats you're downloading versus the formats your DVD player on your TV can play.

    Standard DVDs use MPEG2, while most of what you download will be an MPEG4 codec. That means you'll need to convert it before burning the disc, and that takes (a lot of) time.

    An alternative is to buy a DVD player for your TV that'll play back those MPEG4 files. Burning discs will be easier and you'll fit more files on a disc. Cost of one of these DVD players is about 50 quid (look for 'DivX Compatable').

    Finally, your best option is to buy something like the WD-TV. You can then put all of your files on a USB stick or external hard drive, and plug it into the WD-TV and play it directly.

    If you want to go one step further, you can get WD-TV-like things that actually connect to your network, and it can stream directly from your laptop (though your laptop will need to be on). Take a look at Popcorn Hours for this.


    I think the WD-TV is probably your best bet. Simple, convenient, don't need to buy any discs or worry about any transcoding.


  • #3
    Jim236
    Closed Accounts Posts: 956 ✭✭✭Jim236


    Cheers for the reply, I'd say I'll probably just get a cheap rewriter and convert it into whatever format. How can you find out what format the file you've downloaded is? Also what software would you reccommend for converting?


  • #4
    snappieT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭snappieT


    Chances are you're downloading MPEG4s. GSpot will tell you. It's free.

    I don't think you quite understand how bad transcoding is. It's the one and only thing I've promised myself that I'd never do again, it's just too painful. You're looking at 3+ hours per disc of transcoding, then burning on top of that.

    DVDFlick seems to be the software of choice for doing that converting. I think it'll handle the burning also. It's free also.


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