logo

Search:

Tips On Buying A CD-ROM Drives

CD-ROM DRIVE is used with computer to read the information from the CD-ROM Media. Today CD-ROM drives have transfer rates ranging from 48X to 75X or more. Generally Purchasing a CD-ROM drive relatively easy task however can involve some considerations when purchasing.

DVD - DVD stands for Digital Video Disk Versatile Disc. DVD-ROM is an extremely high capacity optical disc with storage capacity from 4.7 GB to 17 GB.

Technology of CD-ROM & DVD-ROM

Before considering purchasing a CD-ROM it is also good consider the other available options.

CD-R - A CD-writer or recorder (or simply CD-R drive) is used to write data on CD-R disks. Usually, a CD-writer can read information from CD as well as write information on CD, The locally produced CD-R disks are created with CD writer. The speed of these drives is up to 52X or more.

CD-RW - You must have a CD-RW drive to write date on the CD-RW. These drives have read and write speed is up to 52X or more but the re-write speed is 10X or more. The CD-RW drive is advanced and more expensive than CD-R drive. It can write data on both CD-R and CD-RW discs and also read data from them

DVD-R and DVD-RW
DVD-R was the first DVD recording format released that was compatible with standalone DVD Players.
DVD-R is a non-rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 93% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD-RW is a rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 80% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD-R and DVD-RW supports single side 4.37GB DVDs(called DVD-5) and double sided 8.75GB DVDs(called DVD-10).

DVD+R and DVD+RW
 DVD+R is a non-rewritable format and it is compatible with about 89% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD+RW is a rewritable format and is compatible with about 79% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD+R and DVD+RW supports single side 4.37GB DVDs(called DVD-5) and double side 8.75GB DVDs(called DVD-10).

DVD+R DL
DVD+R DL or called DVD+R9 is a Dual Layer writeable DVD+R. The dual layered discs can hold 7.95GB (called DVD-9) and dual layered double sides 15.9GB (called dvd-18).

DVD-R DL
DVD-R DL or called DVD-R9 is a Dual Layer writeable DVD-R. The dual layered discs can hold 7.95GB (called DVD-9) and dual layered double sides 15.9GB (called dvd-18).

DVD-RAM
DVD-RAM has the best recording features but it is not compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players. Think more of it as a removable hard disk. DVD-RAM is usually used in some DVD Recorders.

TRANSFER RATES

Today CD-ROM drives have transfer rates or speeds ranging from 52X to 72X or more. For Example, a 52X CD-ROM drive has a data transfer rate of 7,200 KBps (i.e. 48 X 150 = 7200)or 7.2 MBps. It means that the higher the number, the faster the CD-ROM drive. This speed is generally only going to be noticeable when installing a program or copying large amounts of data from a CD.

PRICE RANGE

For a CD-ROM drive, not to be confused with a CD-R, CD-RW or DVD drive can vary depending upon the speed and the interface the CD-ROM drive uses. Today most drives come with capability of reading and writing both CD and DVD standards and expected around $50 in the US market.