Drive Types

There are two basic forms of optical storage used in computers today: compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD). Compact disc storage was derived from the same media that we use from audio compact discs. They storage space averages around 650 to 700 MB of data per disc. They can contain audio, data or both on the same disc. Most software for computers is distributed on CD formats. DVD was the development for a compact digital video format that also spun off into the data storage arena.

DVD is seen primarily for video and not for software distributions. DVD drives are still backwards compatible with CD formats however.

Now optical drives can come as read only (ROM) or as writers (designated with either an R, RW or RAM). Read-only drives will allow you to only read data from discs that already have data on them, they can not be used for removable storage. Writers or burners can be used to save data, create music CDs or even in some cases video discs that can be played in DVD players.

CD recorders are very standardized and should be compatible with almost all equipment out there. Some CD burners maybe be listed as a combo or CD-RW/DVD drive. These can support reading and writing to CD media and can read DVD media.

DVD recorders are a bit more confusing as there are multiple standards that need to be considered. Most DVD burners will record both the DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW format but some are still a single format. Also, new DVD burners can support the dual-layered or double layer media that may be listed as DL.

Speed Limit Ahead

All optical drives are rated by a multiplier that refers to the maximum speed the drive operates when compared to the original CD or DVD standards. It is not the drive's sustained transfer rate while reading the whole disc. To make matters even worse, some drives have multiple speed listings. How does one know what it all means?

Read only or ROM drives can list up to two speeds. For a CD-ROM drive, there is typically a single speed listed which is the maximum data read speed. Sometimes a second CD ripping speed will also be listed. This refers to the speed at which data can be read from an audio CD for conversion to a computer digital format such as MP3. DVD-ROM drives will typically list two or three speeds. The primary speed is the maximum DVD data read speed while the secondary refers to the maximum CD data read speed. Once again, they may list an additional number that refers to the CD ripping speed from audio CDs.

Optical burners get very complicated. They can list upwards of around ten different multipliers for the various media types. Because of this, manufacturers tend to just list a single number for the drives and this will be for the DVD media that it can record the fastest at. Because of this, try to read the detailed specs. A 16x drive may run up to 16x when recording on DVD+R media, but it might only run at 2.4x when using the DVD+R dual-layer media.

What is best for me?

Below is a chart that I've put together to list the drives that are best suited based upon the various types of computer tasks. Go through the list and if you see any particular type of task that you intend to use the computer to see what type of optical drive is recommended:

• Basic Computing (Word Processing/Web Surfing): Any CD or DVD
• Digital Music and Customer CD Burning: CD-RW 48x or higher
• Basic Computer + Movie Watching: DVD-ROM
• Gaming: CD-RW Combo 48x or higher
• Mix of the Above Tasks: CD-RW Combo 48x or higher
• Digital Movie Creation: DVD+/-RW 8x or higher