DVD±RW (±R DL) DVD Drives

The Bottom Line: Although it's pricey, the Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3 is a boon for anyone who has lots of old videotapes but less time or tech skills to digitize them using a computer. Even better, it doubles as an external DVD burner, so you can use it with your PC long after you've transferred all those old tapes.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Plextor PX-740UF is a sturdy drive that performs beautifully, but it's expensive.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD-R DL) / 8x (DVD+R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer DVR-110D is a swift, reliable burner for movie fans, but those looking to back up by using rewritable discs might be disappointed.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer DVR-110D is a swift, reliable burner for movie fans, but those looking to back up by using rewritable discs might be disappointed.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer DVR-110D is a swift, reliable burner for movie fans, but those looking to back up by using rewritable discs might be disappointed.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer DVR-110D is a swift, reliable burner for movie fans, but those looking to back up by using rewritable discs might be disappointed.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer DVR-110D is a swift, reliable burner for movie fans, but those looking to back up by using rewritable discs might be disappointed.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer DVR-110D is a swift, reliable burner for movie fans, but those looking to back up by using rewritable discs might be disappointed.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The no-frills WriteMaster SE-W164C isn't the fastest DVD burner around, but its decent overall performance and reasonable price make it a solid choice for casual users.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD-R DL) / 5x (DVD+R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Sony DRU-800A is an overall decent performer in a small package.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL), 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)