Should I go for a CDRW or DVD+RW?

[shears]

Hey guys,

I'd like to know what you recommend:
I like backing up my games and software on CD as well as recording my own music, etc. I am interested in getting a DVD+RW, but am also interested in replacing my CDRW for better performance and backing-up abilities (games, etc). I am unsure if my best bet is to just go with a DVD+RW and use that for everything, or if I am better off getting an updated CDRW drive seperate from a DVD+RW drive?

What do you guys think? Just a DVD+RW or is there a need to have a dedicated CDRW drive seperate from a DVD+RW Drive?

Thanks in advance, guys.

[CDRecorder]

Welcome to CDRLabs, Shears!

I would recommend getting a regular CD-RW drive in addition to a DVD recorder because the CD-RW would be faster for recording CDs.

[shears]

Would there be and difference in terms of quality and copy-protection killing between a CDRW and a DVD+RW?

I have my eyes on a PlexWriter Premium because it seems to be the latest and best and overcoming any CD protections and is supposed to be a very good writer. I hope I am right in assuming this.

[cfitz]

If you've got the money, that would be a great choice. In general CD burners will be better at dealing with CD copy protection schemes than DVD burners, and you are right that the Plextor Premium currently reigns as king in this regard.

cfitz

[tazdevl]

I thought LiteOn was still king when it comes to backing up protected material.

[cfitz]

LiteOn is good at copying protections as well, and does so for a lot less money, but as far as I know the Premium is the only one that can copy SecuROM 4.8 without emulation (using Blindwrite). It can also do SafeDisc 2.9 and I believe it can also handle some audio protection(s) better than other drives, particular when using PlexTools.

Is the lack of emulation for SecuROM 4.8 all that important? I don't know. I suppose it is may be a personal preference thing. Supposedly LiteOn drives can back up 4.8 with emulation, so I guess it would boil down to whether or not one wants "true 1:1" copies (whatever that means to each individual) or just wants a copy that works by some means.

Personally, I don't own any games and thus have no need to copy any of these protections, so right now I don't care one way or the other. Of course, the protections seem to be extending to more and more software and audio CDs, so my tune will probably change at some point.

cfitz

[shears]

Thanks for the information guys. I appreciate it a lot.

I have been reading mixed reviews on the Plex Premium drive since I have been doing my research. Sucks that you can't find something you can be totally sure about. But I wanted to ask what you thought of the
Asus CRW-5224A drive.

I think my choices come down to the Plextor Premium or the Asus CRW-5224A.

Thanks guys!

[cfitz]

Sucks that you can't find something you can be totally sure about.

That's life.

I think my choices come down to the Plextor Premium or the Asus CRW-5224A.

Between those two, if had the money to burn, I would take the Plextor because of its extra features. If money were an object I would go for the Asus. Although if money were an object and I wasn't limited to just those two, I would get a LiteOn.

cfitz