Burn 'Em All! Panasonic DVD Burner
Written: Jun 09 '03 (Updated Sep 16 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Writes DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, and CD-RW
Cons: Burns the good stuff a bit slowly
The Bottom Line: I give it big points for accommodating so many formats. I take away some points because it writes DVD formats awfully darn slow at times.
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| mizgnomer's Full Review: Panasonic LF D521 DVD-RAM/DVD-RW Burner |
Why we purchased this DVD burner:
My husband and I have hundreds of self-recorded videotapes, some as many as 15+ years old. We knew that we needed a DVD recorder so we could start transferring our videotapes to DVD before they disintegrate into nothingness, or before the VCR eats them. About a year ago we purchased the Panasonic DMR E20K DVD Recorder, which is essentially like a VCR except that it burns DVDs, and we have been quite happy with it. While the DVD recorder was a great replacement for our VCR, it lacks some features that I really, really want -- namely easy editing of the recorded material, manually-created chapter stops, and the ability to create nice menus, among others. One thing I really wanted to be able to do was edit and combine our hours of footage of our child, something that was very cumbersome and nearly impossible to do with our current DVD recorder.
When Panasonic came out with the LF-D521 DVD Burner, we were sold on the fact that it could read and record so many DVD formats, including the ones supported by our existing DVD recorder.
What types of discs can it burn, and at what speed:
You can record onto DVD-RAM discs (a really cool but not very commonly found DVD format -- more on that below), DVD-R discs (a less versatile format, but one that can be played on nearly all DVD players), DVD-RW discs (another more-versatile format, used by multiple manufacturers), and CD-R and CD-RW discs (so you can replace your CD burner too).
For the uninitiated, here is a quick run-down of the different DVD formats:
* DVD-RAM - This format supports data being written to it over and over (they claim it can be rewritten more than 100,000 times). It supports high-speed, random access, and supports data-compression. As far as movie-watching is concerned, the format also supports the ability to watch one part of the DVD while simultaneously recording on another part of the disc. It is the best format for data backups. Currently, only Panasonic and Hitachi (maybe a few others) support the DVD-RAM format. It comes in both cartridge and non-cartridge types.
* DVD-RW - This format supports re-writing the disc up to 1000 times. The discs can be read in many DVD players and DVD-ROMs, but not all of them. The format does not support variable bit rates (which would enable more efficient encoding), thus write-times are always pretty slow (x1).
* DVD-R - You can only write to a DVD-R once. DVD-Rs are read like a regular, store-bought DVD by the overwhelming majority of DVD players and PCs out there today.
The LF-D521 DVD Burner can write to the various discs at different speeds, based on the disc type. Most DVD-RAM discs are read and written at x2 (except the 5.2 GB double-sided and 2.6 GB single-sided, which is only x1). Single layer DVD-ROMs are read at 12x, dual layer ROMs at x6. DVD-Rs (4.7 GB, Ver 2.0) have a max writing speed of x2, but can be read at up to x6. DVD-RW's (4.7 GB, Ver 1.1) can only be written at x1, but can be read at up to x6.
The CD-reading/writing speeds are much faster -- with read-times on CD-ROMs and CD-Rs as high as x32, and a highest write-speed of x12.
What comes in the box:
The Panasonic LF-D521 DVD Burner comes with everything you need to install the drive, some test discs, and a bunch of software.
Along with the drive itself, you get: an internal audio cable, 4 mounting screws, an emergency ejection pin, a list of hotline centers, 1 CD-ROM disc, 1 DVD-RAM disc (9.4 gigabyte capacity, cartridge-type), and 1 DVD-R disc (4.7 gigabyte capacity). You also get a 159 page manual (although many of those pages are devoted to the instructions in multiple languages, and some quick overviews of the accompanying software).
The software included is:
* MyDVD 3.5 - DVD Authoring software, for use with MPEG2 files
* DVD-MovieAlbumSE3 - DVD/Video recording software that allows you to edit videos, make title pages, etc
* WinDVD 4 - DVD/Video playback software - a nice movie viewer so you can watch DVDs (either your personal creations or rented/purchased DVDs) on your computer
* B's Recorder GOLD5 BASIC - CD-R/CD-RW and DVD-R/DVD-RW writing software - allows you to create your own audio CD or back-up CDs and DVDs.
* B's CLiP5 - CD-RW and DVD-RW packet writing software - allows drag & drop copying of files to CDs and DVDs.
* FileSafe - backup software - enables you to automatically back up data to a DVD-RAM disc from specified folders, or only from updated folders
Our Experiences:
So far I've been extremely pleased with our Panasonic LF-D521 DVD Burner. My only complaint would be that it can be a bit slow at times. To copy a 1-hour DVD-RAM recorded at the 1-hour speed (with the most detail), it takes just over 2 hours to copy and convert the file onto my hard-drive (that's using DVD-MovieAlbumSE3 to perform the conversion, which is part of the culprit -- I'm currently investigating other methods that might be quicker). I tend to get everything set up, then let it burn as I go to bed or off to work. Although it takes 2 hours to copy & convert, it usually takes just over 1 hour to burn my final product to a DVD-R.
My husband was the one who did the installation and software/driver loading -- he reports that everything went well and there were no problems. We are running on Windows XP.
While it came with tons of software, I really don't use most of it. I've tried a few out, but prefer some of the other software packages available today (for example, we've been using Nero for our CD-burning needs for quite a while now, and I have no desire to change). I do find myself using the DVD-MovieAlbumSE3 quite a bit, but then usually switch to one of the Ulead products when I really want to edit stuff together. WinDVD 4 is really nice, and we'll probably be sticking with it for our PC-DVD viewing. Much of the software that comes with the DVD-drive is quite usable and will get the job done, but they didn't provide some of the more detailed editing options I was looking for.
I should mention one thing my husband had a bit of trouble with. The disc-placement in the drive is very specific -- you cannot just plop the disc in there and close the door. There are some spring-loaded clasps that must be in the right place, or the drive will not recognize that a disc has been inserted. It is quite easy to do, as soon as you realize that you must do it (unfortunately my husband, who didn't realize there was a trick to it, thought the drive was malfunctioning until he figured it out).
Our trusty Panasonic DMR E20K DVD Recorder has now taken a backseat when compared with our burner, although it is quite a nice companion to it -- we can record television programs onto DVD-RAM discs, then if we decide that we want to keep any of them we can use the computer to permanently burn them to DVD-R discs, editing out the commercials during the process. I'm quite pleased with our set-up now.
Final Thoughts:
Overall I'm extremely pleased with our Panasonic LF-D521 DVD Burner. It has given me all of the features that I found to be lacking with our Panasonic DMR E20K DVD Recorder, such as the ability to easily create attractive menus, set my own chapter-stops, and most importantly - easily edit and combine our footage. I am very pleased that it can handle so many different DVD formats. Previous Panasonic DVD burners could only write to DVD-RAM and DVD-R types -- the LF-D521 is the first Panasonic burner to also include DVD-RW. My only complaint is that many of the DVD-writing speeds are quite slow (although it is x2, which is better than x1, so I won't complain too much).
System Requirements:
* Microsoft Windows XP, 2000 (Professional), Millennium Edition, 98
* Available 5.25" drive bay
* IDE controller with available connector
* 150 MB free hard drive space (for included software installation)
* 5 GB free hard drive space for DVD Disc creation
* Intel Pentium II processor 300MHz or equivalent, 128 MB RAM
* For DVD video disc creation: Intel Pentium II processor 300MHz or higher, 128 MB RAM, video capture capability (1394 interface or analog video capture card)
* 1024 x 768 or higher video display adapter
A FAQ on recordable DVD technology, terms, & compatability:
http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#4.3
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 217.00
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Epinions.com ID:
mizgnomer
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Location: Tennessee
Reviews written: 306
Trusted by: 202 members
About Me:
Don't meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you're crunchy and taste good with ketchup
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