Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of hardware we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to External DVD Burners.

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Ratings

Feature Set

This rating criterion considers all of the features available with the DVD burner. Some of the features we consider important in a DVD burner include the ability to copy to dual layer discs, compatibility with DVD copying software, the inclusion of DVD Media Suite software, the ability to connect to both USB and firewire ports and the capability to read a wide variety of CDs and DVDs.

Burner Speed

Burning speed is especially important when choosing a DVD burner. Generally, speeds depend on the type of blank media used to read/write/rewrite.

Help/Support

This ranking depends on how fast the product manufacturer responded to our email inquiries about their product. We sent an email to the manufacturer of every product we reviewed. This ranking also takes into consideration some of the other help/support contact methods available such as live chat, telephone, FAQs, searchable knowledge base, troubleshooting guides, easy driver downloads, etc.

Features

Buffer Size

This is the amount of memory that is available to temporarily store data in order to compensate for the differences in the transfer rate. This also helps out with buffer underruns.

Prevents Buffer Underrun

Buffer Under-Runs happens when your computer system doesn't supply data fast enough to keep up with the steady stream of data required in DVD burning. When this occurs, the burn stops and most likely blank media is damaged. This feature prevents this from happening.

Burns to Dual Layer Media

The DVD burner can burn projects onto a Dual Layer DVD. Dual Layer DVDs store twice the data than regular DVD+/-R so projects do not have to be broken up to fit on two disks.

DVD Copy Software Capatibility

DVD Cloner III

The DVD burner will work with the number one ranked DVD Copying Software, DVD Cloner.

1Click DVD Copy

The DVD burner will work with the second ranked DVD Copying Software, 1Click DVD Copy.

Clone DVD (X Studios)

The DVD burner will work with the third ranked DVD Copying Software, Clone DVD.

Included Software

Media Suite Software

The manufacturer of the DVD burner provides a software program that can edit and burn projects.

DVD Playing

The DVD burner comes with software that plays DVD movies; sometimes this program is included in multi-media software.

Disc Labeling

Bundled with the DVD burner is a disk labeling program that creates labels for DVDs and CDs.

Hardware Connection

Firewire (IEEE 1394)

This type of connection links DVD burners to PCs through a high-speed FireWire port. This type of connection was developed by Apple Computers allowing it to be connected to Macintosh computers, but now it is used in PCs as well.

USB 2.0

This is the next generation of USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports. This port is built to be faster than the earlier version 1.1; it is about 40 times faster than version 1.1. Most of the DVD burners that we reviewed are compatible with the USB 2.0 port; however, if these ports aren't available then these DVD burners are also compatible with the USB 1.1 port, but speeds are slower.

USB 1.1

USB (Universal Serial Bus) 1.1 provides a plug and play interface between a computer and some of external devices; Version 1.1 is slower than version 2.0.

Read/Write/ReWrite Speeds

DVD-RAM

The maximum speed the DVD burner reads/write to this type of disk is 5x.

DVD-ROM

The highest speed the DVD burner reads this type of disk is 16x.

DVD+RW

The greatest speed the DVD burner rewrites to this type of disk is 8x.

DVD-RW

The utmost speed the DVD burner rewrites to this type of disk is 6x.

DVD+R DL

The maximum speed the DVD burner writes to this type of disk is 8x.

DVD-R DL

The fastest speed the DVD burner writes to this type of disk is 8x.

DVD+R

The greatest speed the DVD burner writes to this type of disk is 16x.

DVD-R

The peak speed that the DVD burner writes to this type of disk is 16x.

CD-ROM

The utmost speed that the DVD burner reads this type of disk is 48x.

CD-RW

The maximum speed that the DVD burner rewrites to this type of disk is 32x.

CD-R

The upper-limit speed that the DVD burner writes to this type of disk is 48x.

Compatible Formats

DVD-RAM

DVD RAM stands for Random Access Memory Disks. This type of media has the ability to be rewritten to100, 000 times. These disks are popular for professional video editing and other applications requiring multiple rewrites.

DVD-ROM

ROM stands for Read Only Memory. This is the format of purchasable DVD movies, this type of media is not rewriteable, only readable.

DVD+RW

DVD+RW is a rewritable disk based on the DVD+R format, it can be rewritten to over 1,000 times before the disk is unusable.

DVD-RW

DVD-RW is a rewritable disk based on the DVD-R format; it can be rewritten to over 1,000 times before the disk is non-viable.

DVD+R DL

Dual Layer DVD+R is the larger version of the DVD+R version. The single layer DVD+R disk holds only 4.7 GB of data and the dual layer version holds up to 9.5GB of data. This makes it ideal for copying large amounts of data or movies; some manufacturers that support this type of medium include Sony, Philips, HP, Dell, Ricoh, Yamaha and others.

DVD-R DL

The Dual Layer DVD-R is the larger version of the DVD-R version. Single layer DVD-Rs hold only 4.7 GB of data and the dual layer version holds 9.5GB of data. This makes it perfect for large amounts of data or full-length movies, some manufacturers that support this disk type include Panasonic, Toshiba, Apple Computer, Hitachi, NEC, Pioneer, Samsung and Sharp.

DVD+R

This format is a write once type of disk.

DVD-R

Format is a write once type.

CD-ROM XA

CD-ROM XA stands for Compact Disc-Read Only Memory Extended Architecture. Developed by Sony, Philips and Microsoft, this format is used as a bridge between the CD-I players and CD-ROM drives.

CD-ROM

CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc-Read Only Memory. This type of disk can only be read, it cannot be written to.

CD-RW

This type of CD can be rewritten up to 1,000 times before it needs to be replaced. This type of disk will only hold up to 700MB of data which is drastically less than the 4.7GB of data that a DVD will hold.

CD-R

This type of CD cannot be rewritten. Like the CD-RW, this type of disk only holds up to 700MB.

CD-TEXT

This type of CD will let the manufacturers add certain information like the artists name, CD title and track name.

CD+G

This format is primarily used for karaoke disks, CD+G stands for Compact Disc with Graphics, it has the ability to display images while the music plays. The advantage of this type of disk is that it will play in popular karaoke machines.

CD-I

CD-I stands for CD Interactive. This format was developed by Philips, and it will deliver data, text, audio, stills and video. Basically this format is the same as a CD with the addition of multimedia information.

CD-DA

Compact Disk-Digital Audio format developed by Philips and Sony is the original format that was used by home and cars players, commonly referred to as the "Red Book" Standard.

CD-Extra

This is an alternate name for Enhanced Music CD. These are CD Audio sessions followed by a single track of a CD-ROM XA session, which contains data.

Photo-CD

This disk stores up to 100 35mm photographs (digital) and uses the CD-ROM XA Form 1 Sector structure.

Video-CD

Video Compact Disk or VCD is just a CD that stores video files. The encoding standard that is used with VCD is called MPEG-1 to store the video and audio. The video quality is not as good as the DVD format.

Dimensions

Height (Inches)

Physical height of the DVD burner.

Width (Inches)

Width of the DVD burner.

Length (Inches)

Length of the DVD burner.

Weight (Pounds)

Weight of the DVD burner.

Technical Support

Instructions/User Manual

Instructions or user manual comes with the hardware.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) answer commonly asked questions, usually posted in the manufacture's product support section.

Downloads (Drivers, etc.)

Manufacturer provides easy access to free downloads, updates and drivers.

Troubleshooting Guide

This guide is provided to diagnose problems with hardware and provides solutions to these common problems.

Support Email/Form

There is support by email address or online form.

Support Phone Number

There is a support phone number available for questions.

Live Chat

Instant response through a live chat service is supported on the manufacturer's website.

Manufacturer Warranty

Usually manufacturers offer a 1-year parts warranty and a 1-year labor warranty. Occasionally, a two-year warranty is offered.

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