Panasonic LF-D521U DVD burner II user reviews

Pros 5 and 1/2" DVD-RAM Drive on September 22, 2003  | Read full review

Summary Great little package! Paid $275 at buy.com. Reads and edits my Panasonic DMR-E30 desktop recorder DVD-R/RAM disks. Software bundle is generally very good with the exception of MyDVD video editor. I uninstalled MyDVD and bought Ulead MovieFactory 2.0 instead. I copy previously recorded (on my E30) DVD-RAM videos to DVD-R. I temporarily change the DVD-RAM file's ".VRO" suffix to ".mp2", load into MovieFactory, edit (no sound during editing since it is AC-3 audio), and burn to DVD-R. Works great. See the www.dvdrhelp.com website for help with DVD video topics.

Summary I have a Panasonic DMR-E20 DVD-RAM/R Video Recorder, and this drive LF-D521U provides for a perfect transfer of the .VRO files to my hard drive for editing. Unfortunately I got the OEM version of this drive (SW-9571 Series) which did not include the Panasonic DVD-MovieAlbumSE 3.0 to edit the VRO files, I now have to go and buy Software Architect's GreatVideo! to split up the .VRO files into the VOB files that it contains. It takes about 30 minutes to move 4.23GB of data to or from the drive, really you can't complain. If you own a Panasonic DVD-RAM video recorder, GET THIS DRIVE, it provides for a ONE drive solution to video editing, however, if you are just looking for mass storage or just a generic DVD burner, then go with a better quality drive like the Sony DRU500 or the Pioneer A05/105.

Summary it's excelent drive for pc data handling, is very fast with manipulating data files (od dvd-ram), im using for backuping (formated as ntfs w/ compresion).

Summary What is often overlooked is the 9.4GB capacity per disc due to the use of both sides. Another ignored factor is the protective cartridge - how much is your data worth? Naked media will never be as safe as cartridge based media. DVD-RAM is a block addressable type of media - you can go to head and sector meaning you can write as much or as little data you want as well as modify or delete it easily. The DVD-+RW/DVD-RW issue is overblown - independant studies (published in eMedia) show that both formats have about the same compatibility with DVD players.