Linux Format forums

Re: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

mmm — Tue May 31, 2005 11:18 am

Author: mmm

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 11:18 am

I recently bought a Pioneer DVDR-109, which does DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW. Mandriva had no problems finding it, and one of those Linux programmes burnt a test data DVD without problem.

Eventually where is supposed to be some sort of update to the drive firmware which will allow the use of DVD-dual layer.

However, the firmware does a region lock if you use it to play DVD's back (not seen any firmware to unlock this "function").

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

Deke — Wed May 25, 2005 2:04 am

Author: Deke

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 2:04 am

Just thought I'd log on and thank you for the recommendations. I would have done so sooner but the site took it upon itself to banish me for a couple of weeks, then today I find myself logged in again.

There are strange forces at work...

...and I don't just mean Linux.

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

davecs — Fri May 06, 2005 7:50 pm

Author: davecs

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 7:50 pm

Many apologies for "guest" post 2 above, I didn't realise I wasn't logged in!

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

nelz — Fri May 06, 2005 6:02 pm

Author: nelz

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 6:02 pm

DVD burning works fine in Mandrake 9.1 (and older) although you may need to use ide-scsi emulation.

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

Anonymous — Fri May 06, 2005 5:22 pm

Author: Anonymous

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 5:22 pm

I've got two DVD burners, an internal one Single Sided DVD-/+RW made by NEC, and an external one, Gericom, which acutually is a USB2 interface built around a Samsung Double Sided DVD-/+RW.

Both work!

I think the interface is pretty standard these days and it would be harder to name one that didn't work than one that does!

One thing to watch, K3B is a front-end for several programs, and sometimes there are DVD and non-DVD enabled versions of these programs, so you may need to upgrade a few of them.

The other thing is that Mandrake 9.1 uses a 2.4.13 kernel, and this could cause problems. Maybe. I never had a DVD burner when I was using a kernel that old. So if it doesn't work, treat yourself to a shiny new distro as well.

Mandrake 10.1 OE or CE, Mandriva 2005LE and PCLinuxOS should all be logical updates of what you have.

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

Flea — Fri May 06, 2005 1:31 am

Author: Flea

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 1:31 am

Well, I'm using a cheapy no-name dvd burner and it works great. Would definitely recommend upgrading to a 2.6 kernel if you haven't already as it does away with the ide-scsi requirement.

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

richie — Thu May 05, 2005 10:37 pm

Author: richie

Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 10:37 pm

Fine with a NEC ND-3500AG, using v2.C8 special edition firmware, with Mandrake 10.1 .

Rich

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

Ram — Wed May 04, 2005 1:11 pm

Author: Ram

Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 1:11 pm

I've got a Lite-on 8x +/- all write. works with SuSE 8.0 up over. no coasters in 11 mths using all media.

Ram

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

skecs — Wed May 04, 2005 1:01 pm

Author: skecs

Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 1:01 pm

I have been using an LG SuperMulti DVD+/-RW & DVD-RAM drive (GSA4082B) for over 12 months with Redhat and Suse Linux with no worries at all. It burns at various speeds up to the specified maximum (according to k3b) speed for DVDs and CDs. I also have an older AOpen 40x12x48 CD-Burner in the same system and that has been the same - no hassles burning up to maximum speeds.

A lot of it also depends on the media - it may sound like a good deal but when 20% of the cheap discs are coasters you've lost your savings. I use TDK, Verbatim with no problems and occassionally Imation which I have had problems with. Stay away from the cheap, no name, discount store discs, they just aren't worth the hassle.

RE: Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

tomdeb — Tue May 03, 2005 12:47 pm

Author: tomdeb

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 12:47 pm

I have a NEC 3520A buning at 16X under Ubuntu 5.04
I noticed that the burning speed wasn't the same whether i was using the i686 or the K7 kernel on my Athlon XP.

Re: RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

Nobber — Tue May 03, 2005 10:39 am

Author: Nobber

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 10:39 am

Nigel wrote:

My system has an NEC ND-3500AG which works well with SuSE 9.2

Here's another vote for the NEC ND-3500A. Not sure if it burns 16x media at the advertised rate, because I haven't tried yet. 8x is fine, though.

Used to have an Optorite 4x burner that couldn't burn any media at that speed, and also died after a fairly short life.

RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

nelz — Mon May 02, 2005 8:15 pm

Author: nelz

Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 8:15 pm

I've used Pioneer and NEC drives without and compatibility problems, although two of the Pioneers died prematurely. Just about any drive should work though.

RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

nordle — Mon May 02, 2005 3:10 pm

Author: nordle

Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 3:10 pm

Cant really go wrong with LG GSA4163 (I've got the slower 8x GSA-4081B) �35 for DVD+R, DVD-R and DVD-RAM
http://tinyurl.com/5685b

Realistically though, you should be fine with 99% of drives of your system is up to date with packages and kernel. If not, then unless someone is running mdk 9.1 as yourself, its difficult to say what it will accept.

RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

hairymunky — Sun May 01, 2005 11:57 pm

Author: hairymunky

Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 11:57 pm

I'm using an optorite 8x (edit) its a D405 I think (edit) from ebuyer, works sweet with k3b and fedora

RE: Linux DVD recorders. Any recommendations?

Nigel — Sun May 01, 2005 11:26 pm

Author: Nigel

Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 11:26 pm

My system has an NEC ND-3500AG which works well with SuSE 9.2