24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) 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: For fast ripping and burning at a reasonable price, the Iomega Super DVD Writer 16X16 is hard to beat.

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

The Bottom Line: The Asus DRW-1608P is a steal: good overall performance at a low price.

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

The Bottom Line: The Asus DRW-1608P is a steal: good overall performance at a low price.

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

The Bottom Line: The Asus DRW-1608P is a steal: good overall performance at a low price.

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

The Bottom Line: This drive turned in decent recording and rewriting times and comes with a superior software bundle, but its DVD ripping performance is surprisingly dismal.

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)

The Bottom Line: A capable DVD burner that'll save you a few bucks if you don't need the dual-layer DVD-R support of Sony's newer 800a.

Specs: DVD±RW (+R DL), Internal, 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD+R DL), 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

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)

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