Product Description

The 16x Dual Format, Double-Layer DVD Recorder ushers DVD Recording into a new era. The dual format capability takes the guesswork out of choosing the right discs, while the double-layer feature allows for the creation of DVD+R9 discs with as much as 8.5 GB of data. A comprehensive and powerful software suite from Nero makes recording CDs and DVDs easy and fun.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4281 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Memorex
• Model: 32023288
• Dimensions: 7.00 pounds

Features

• Has USB 2.0 and Firewire Connectivity
• Built-in Flash-ROM for online upgradability
• Built-in buffer underrun protection
• Stylish silver and black design
• Space-saving stand for propping drive on its side

Amazon.com Product Description
The Memorex DVD Double-Layer Recorder helps you record DVDs and CDs easily, even double layer or HD DVD discs. The 16x dual format means that the drive supports both the current standard for DVD recorders, in addition to the newer HD DVD format, so that you don't have to worry about what type of disc to use. Double layer recording lets you create DVD+R9 discs that hold up to 8.5 GB, which is about 80% more than single layer discs are capable of holding. The drive features built-in buffer underrun protection along with built-in Flash-ROM to allow you to upgrade online. The included Nero Software Suite provides a clean and intuitive interface for quick and easy recording of CDs and DVDs. This sleek, external drive also comes with a stand that allows you to prop the drive on its side to save space on your desktop.

The drive comes with both USB 2.0 and FireWire ports. It can record DVDs at the following maximum speeds:

• 16x DVD+/-R
• 4x DVD+R9 (double layer)
• 8x DVD+RW
• 6x DVD-RW

It can write to CDs at the following maximum speeds:

• 48x CD-R
• 24x CD-RW

What's in the Box
External drive, Nero Software Suite, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 cables, and drive stand.

Customer Reviews

Nice compact drive w/easy to use software.
I have only had this drive for a couple days, but I can say that I am pleased with it overall. I am using it with a laptop on a comapct desk, so the fact that it stands vertically (w/included stand) helps with space consevation. The Dual-Layer DVDs that it can create are wonderfull for storing lots of home videos, pictures, and in most cases 2 full movies. The included Nero software is very user friendly, so you'll be making relatively professional looking DVD home movies (complete with custom menus and options) in no time.

I only have 2 things to complain about on this package (one on the unit and one on the software), and they are just nit-picky little things.

1. UNIT - While the unit itself is fairly attractive (silver & black case w/blue LEDs), it is rather flimsy. This is not really an issue as long as you are careful moving it while it is running. Without thinking, I grabbed the body by the sides while in its vertical position. This caused the top of the case to bow in and hit the drive spindle, resulting in an awful grinding noise. While this incident had no affect on the unit or its current process this time, I could see how it may in future careless occurances. Not a big deal. Just don't be clumsy like me.

2. SOFTWARE - Again, not a big problem, just an annoyance. I am running this program on what the box calls the preferred sytem specs for best performance. While creating a 2 hour (4.07 GB) DVD movie with basic menus only takes a few minutes, the processing time before it writes takes a long time. After you hit the "Burn" button, the total process progress line says that the time remaining on the project is a little over 4 hours. The actual time it takes to write on the disc is a little more than an hour (this is a pretty fast drive). The other 3 hours seems to be taken up by conversion, encoding, processing, etc. My guess is that this would take a lot less time on a faster system. Read the "System Requirements" for the software on the box. I suggest having at least the "Reccomended" specs to have a pleasent experience. If you only have the minimum system requirements, I would be prepared to settle in for the long haul for each project.

Also, I bought this in store at Staples for a hundred and thirty-nine bucks. Much cheaper than anywhere else I saw it.

Nice hardware, surprisingly good software
On its own, this is a reasonably-priced external DVD burner with a quality name brand. I didn't find the case flimsy, and the stand makes the drive very unobtrusive. The buttons are logically placed, and the blue light was bright enough to see across the room. The drive was visible to my laptop as soon as I attached it. The DVD I made last night burned fairly quickly (and quietly), and bingo, I soon had my very first home-movie-on-DVD, complete with chapter titles and cueing and so forth. I didn't try transferring with USB--a Firewire card was only $25, a cheap way to ensure better image quality--but Memorex thoughtfully includes cables for both.

The included software, Nero 6, makes this drive an even better deal. This burn/edit package has a lot of features for an OEM version, more than I'll need for a long time, and should you want to step up to Nero 7, nero.com offers a good discount. The only negative with the software was having to go into the Windows registry to get the serial number to qualify for the version updates--the manual walks you through this, and since I once had a job that required registry edits, this wasn't difficult, but I question how wise it is for Nero to make an average user dig into the Windows registry!

You can get much better deals on internal burners, but if you need an external burner, particularly if you don't already have a software package for editing and burning DVDs, it would be hard to find a better deal than this drive.

Aside: after staring at my Seagate hard drive and the Memorex burner side by side all last night, I was thinking I'd like to see some enterprising company bundle a large hard drive right on a DVD burner. But with that spare USB cable, it's easy enough to get the two together for a movie-making session..!

Excellent Addition to my computer products.
I am very pleased with the performance of this machine. I bought it to add dual layer dvd's and 16x burning to my aging Powermac G5 from Apple. It has worked perfectly for me and makes DVD's in about 3 minutes. A very nice touch. As a side note, I am a world traveler and I am planning on moving to London at the start of next year. I was afraid that it would not be able to go with me. But I contacted Memorex and it already is wired to work in the U.S. and Europe. That was a nice surprise. Buy this product, you will not be disappointed.