SQUIRRR
asked on
What is the difference between a DVD-Writer and a "DVD Burner"
When I review choices about PCs and notebooks, sometimes it lists a CD/DVD Burner as "DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM" and sometimes as "DVD-Writer" is there a difference ?
I have two LG units that are "DVD-Writers" that aren't viewed as DVD burners by some software, but they are in fact able to create DVDs by using the bundled (Nero) software. Is there a technology difference between these two descriptions ?
I have two LG units that are "DVD-Writers" that aren't viewed as DVD burners by some software, but they are in fact able to create DVDs by using the bundled (Nero) software. Is there a technology difference between these two descriptions ?
Burner and writer is a synomous term DVD RAM is different see the wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvd_ram
DVD+RW: Can write to DVD-R/DVD-RW, while using a DVD-RW it can "format" the DVD and reuse it
DVD-R: Can only use DVD-R disks
DVD-RAM: work like a floppy disk in the sense you can write data, remove data etc etc. Requires a DVD-RAM disk to do this.
DVD-Writer is same as DVD-R
DVD-rewriter is same as DVD-RW
DVD-R: Can only use DVD-R disks
DVD-RAM: work like a floppy disk in the sense you can write data, remove data etc etc. Requires a DVD-RAM disk to do this.
DVD-Writer is same as DVD-R
DVD-rewriter is same as DVD-RW
ASKER
I understand that. All the web sites say that. Please re-read ... what is the difference between a product that is actually classified as a DVD-WRITER vs. the other descriptions listed.
For instance, take a look at the Lenovo site and look at several notebooks there, some list DVD-WRITER while others list a different CD/DVD description.
For instance, take a look at the Lenovo site and look at several notebooks there, some list DVD-WRITER while others list a different CD/DVD description.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
It cut off part of my post..
so like I said mass confusion originally intended as a designation between CD and DVD then it changed over to a designation of power users games vs business users. There has never been any official designation of the term
so like I said mass confusion originally intended as a designation between CD and DVD then it changed over to a designation of power users games vs business users. There has never been any official designation of the term
ASKER
brian/lotok: Thanks for taking the time to respond. I don't think the answers provided are specifically right, but I don't have sufficient information to dispute that, so I've split the points between you.
My DVD-Writer actually does all of the functions just fine, DVD-+Rs, CDs, RWs, etc.
But my non-Nero burning software thinks this device is a DVD-R, whereas the bundled Nero knows its capable of burning CDs and DVDs and does so.
These are LG-GSA-H55N and LG-GSA-H54L (I think) units. But at some retail sites, Lenovo Thinkpads sometimes say DVD-Writer and other times use the DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM terminology.
I'll pursue the question with the manufacturers. Thanks for responding.
My DVD-Writer actually does all of the functions just fine, DVD-+Rs, CDs, RWs, etc.
But my non-Nero burning software thinks this device is a DVD-R, whereas the bundled Nero knows its capable of burning CDs and DVDs and does so.
These are LG-GSA-H55N and LG-GSA-H54L (I think) units. But at some retail sites, Lenovo Thinkpads sometimes say DVD-Writer and other times use the DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM terminology.
I'll pursue the question with the manufacturers. Thanks for responding.
That is a totally different issue if you were having problems with the drives being indentified as far as capabilities that should be the question you should be asking the question you asked was posed as a terminology question.
You probably need a firmware update or driver update for that software that you are talking about for it to properly identify your drives capabilties as this is a very common issue with DVD-R DVD-RW DVD+RW Drives and software interfacing to them. Roxio and Nero both have been plauged by this issue for a long time. I have a LiteOn DVDRW drive that intitally was not recognized by Roxio I had to download a drive update software for it to recognize it.
As far as burning goes though I would stick with the mainstream apps Roxio, Nero, etc.. a lot of the shareware / freeware apps can do basic CD burning but they have issues when it comes to DVD.
You probably need a firmware update or driver update for that software that you are talking about for it to properly identify your drives capabilties as this is a very common issue with DVD-R DVD-RW DVD+RW Drives and software interfacing to them. Roxio and Nero both have been plauged by this issue for a long time. I have a LiteOn DVDRW drive that intitally was not recognized by Roxio I had to download a drive update software for it to recognize it.
As far as burning goes though I would stick with the mainstream apps Roxio, Nero, etc.. a lot of the shareware / freeware apps can do basic CD burning but they have issues when it comes to DVD.
ASKER
Thanks Brian, but I was careful in asking my question. I could not find a suitable answer on the Internet so I posted it here. I'm interested in the Technical Difference in the terminology, I'm not trying to solve my DVD Burner issue specifically. I have an AOPEN unit (spare) that is easily recognized as a burner whereas the LG units I have are not so easily recognized. NERO, as bundled, makes no mention or cares very little, it believes they are burners and indeed creates CDs and DVDs.
But I've come across the terminology DVD-Writer in a few places and I'm just trying to find out if it implies a different kind of drive compared to the other terminology.
I am somewhat/reasonably experienced in Info Tech (30 years) and PCs (11 of those years), but I'm moderate knowledge in CD/DVD hardware technology itself.
I'm checking with a manufacturer rep (he's given the same informal answer as lotok), and if I find anything I will update via Comments.
But I've come across the terminology DVD-Writer in a few places and I'm just trying to find out if it implies a different kind of drive compared to the other terminology.
I am somewhat/reasonably experienced in Info Tech (30 years) and PCs (11 of those years), but I'm moderate knowledge in CD/DVD hardware technology itself.
I'm checking with a manufacturer rep (he's given the same informal answer as lotok), and if I find anything I will update via Comments.
SQUIRRR,
As has been said, there is NO DIFFERENCE. It's like the difference between catsup and ketchup. Or between car and automobile. Or 100 GB vs. 100,000 MB. There is no difference. You indicating that the behavior of your devices in your system with some software package is what makes you ask this question. Well, the reason your experiencing this is most likely because Windows does not provide "burning" or "writing" drivers for third party programs. So your software does not have the necessary built in drivers to figure out if that's a burner or not. Update the software... it will likely work just fine then.
As has been said, there is NO DIFFERENCE. It's like the difference between catsup and ketchup. Or between car and automobile. Or 100 GB vs. 100,000 MB. There is no difference. You indicating that the behavior of your devices in your system with some software package is what makes you ask this question. Well, the reason your experiencing this is most likely because Windows does not provide "burning" or "writing" drivers for third party programs. So your software does not have the necessary built in drivers to figure out if that's a burner or not. Update the software... it will likely work just fine then.
ASKER
Thanks leew. I will keep looking. Here's another example: an HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-T20N (Device Manager description) is a Lenovo Thinkpad "Super Multi DVD Rewriter" FRU 39T2863 made by Hitachi-LG for Lenovo. Some software works with it, some does not. The firmware is up-to-date as are the drivers. (The commonality here being LG perhaps.)
Perhaps it is more related to the "Multi" feature ?
In any event, thank you for commenting, I'll keep looking. All of you may indeed be correct.
Perhaps it is more related to the "Multi" feature ?
In any event, thank you for commenting, I'll keep looking. All of you may indeed be correct.
Occam's Razor... you can't find any significant evidence, especially from any reliable source, because it doesn't exist. Anything you find, I'm certain will be just synonyms for what has been said here.
No, you're not listening (or so it seems) - Windows itself DOES NOT provide drivers for burners/writers for use by third party software. The Burning/Writing ability of Windows is courtesy of Roxio software - if you look at the DLLs, portions are copyright by Roxio. Microsoft maintains this for Windows and only Windows - not for third parties. So this other software is simply not recognizing the burning/writing abilities of the drive.
Check with the software maker (for the software that doesn't work) to see if that drive is supported (yet).
And "Multi" is nothing special - it's just referring to it's ability to burn/write to multiple disc formats.
You can believe whatever you'd like to believe - I'm not trying to accuse you of thinking the world is flat, but I get the feeling any further effort to help you understand would fall on deaf ears, like telling someone the world is a globe vs. flat when they have firmly believed it's flat - not evidence is going to change their minds.
No, you're not listening (or so it seems) - Windows itself DOES NOT provide drivers for burners/writers for use by third party software. The Burning/Writing ability of Windows is courtesy of Roxio software - if you look at the DLLs, portions are copyright by Roxio. Microsoft maintains this for Windows and only Windows - not for third parties. So this other software is simply not recognizing the burning/writing abilities of the drive.
Check with the software maker (for the software that doesn't work) to see if that drive is supported (yet).
And "Multi" is nothing special - it's just referring to it's ability to burn/write to multiple disc formats.
You can believe whatever you'd like to believe - I'm not trying to accuse you of thinking the world is flat, but I get the feeling any further effort to help you understand would fall on deaf ears, like telling someone the world is a globe vs. flat when they have firmly believed it's flat - not evidence is going to change their minds.
ASKER
leew ... it seems YOU ARE NOT LISTENING ... and I'm trying to be as polite as possible. Why not take a look at this site, and see how others have encountered problems with this particular Lenovo LG drive (http://www.computerhilfen.com/hilfen-26-186214-0.html).
In any event, I'm looking for information, not debate or commentary about my reading and comprehension abiltiy. Its a simple question. How about this:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. The discussion is closed and I now regret posting anything on Experts Exchange.
In any event, I'm looking for information, not debate or commentary about my reading and comprehension abiltiy. Its a simple question. How about this:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. The discussion is closed and I now regret posting anything on Experts Exchange.
ASKER
I've only emailed one manufacturer, but it appears that briancassin was correct. I did find a reasonable explanation of what to watch out for at a CNET review (http://reviews.cnet.com/dvd-drives/iomega-super-dvd-writer/4505-3212_7-30539937.html?tag=prod.txt.1) with the term "five-format flexibility" that is a little clearer (except for number six Blu Ray appearing shortly).
Anyway, briancassin, lotok, thanks, appreciate your interest in trying to help me.
Anyway, briancassin, lotok, thanks, appreciate your interest in trying to help me.
Again, there is no technical difference between a burner and a writer. And there are more than 5 formats -
CDR
CD-RW
DVD-R
DVD+R
DVD-RW
DVD+RW
DVD-RAM
DVD-R DL
DVD+R DL
Blue Ray
HD DVD
Further, if you search Wikipedia for "DVD Burner" and "DVD Writer", both "redirect" to "DVD Recorder". They are all the same thing.
briancassin and I have at least 23 combined years of experience and we are both telling you the terms are synonymous.
CDR
CD-RW
DVD-R
DVD+R
DVD-RW
DVD+RW
DVD-RAM
DVD-R DL
DVD+R DL
Blue Ray
HD DVD
Further, if you search Wikipedia for "DVD Burner" and "DVD Writer", both "redirect" to "DVD Recorder". They are all the same thing.
briancassin and I have at least 23 combined years of experience and we are both telling you the terms are synonymous.
SQUIRR,
Like I and leew has pointed out in great detail it is synonymous term. Quite honestly there is no reason to be rude to either any of the experts here when we are merely volunteers trying to help answer questions. We alone are offering combined 23 yrs of experience for free. Not to mention all the other experts on here. We do this to help people and steer them in the right direction. Not to give false information.
To try to put this into something else that might make more sense the terms burner and writer can be compared to....
Wireless Internet and Wi-Fi Internet it is becomming the same a synomous term.
Just like Broadband Internet can now mean Cable or DSL originally it was a specific term that meant cable internet
Over time terms change especially in the Computer Industry
perfect example the different terms for networked devices
client
node
host
originally a node meant any device hanging off of a network, then for ahwile it was specific to network devices that didn't have an operating system such as printers, then it went back to being any network device. A client was originally designated for a computer running network client software, now it is pretty much understood as anything being served by the network.
Now they all mean the same thing a device that communicates on a network
The lingo changes based on location, experience, society, media.. for instance I call my neighborhood a "track" which is the shortened word housing track. People in my area understand this. I said once to someone that lives in another state that I live in a track in such and such town and they thought I meant I slept or lived on Train Tracks!!!!!
someone might call a suburban housing development:
a housing development
a housing track
a track
a neighborhood
they all mean the same thing.
Just like
car
vehicle
automobile
they are all terms used to refer to a car
Like I and leew has pointed out in great detail it is synonymous term. Quite honestly there is no reason to be rude to either any of the experts here when we are merely volunteers trying to help answer questions. We alone are offering combined 23 yrs of experience for free. Not to mention all the other experts on here. We do this to help people and steer them in the right direction. Not to give false information.
To try to put this into something else that might make more sense the terms burner and writer can be compared to....
Wireless Internet and Wi-Fi Internet it is becomming the same a synomous term.
Just like Broadband Internet can now mean Cable or DSL originally it was a specific term that meant cable internet
Over time terms change especially in the Computer Industry
perfect example the different terms for networked devices
client
node
host
originally a node meant any device hanging off of a network, then for ahwile it was specific to network devices that didn't have an operating system such as printers, then it went back to being any network device. A client was originally designated for a computer running network client software, now it is pretty much understood as anything being served by the network.
Now they all mean the same thing a device that communicates on a network
The lingo changes based on location, experience, society, media.. for instance I call my neighborhood a "track" which is the shortened word housing track. People in my area understand this. I said once to someone that lives in another state that I live in a track in such and such town and they thought I meant I slept or lived on Train Tracks!!!!!
someone might call a suburban housing development:
a housing development
a housing track
a track
a neighborhood
they all mean the same thing.
Just like
car
vehicle
automobile
they are all terms used to refer to a car