- When shopping for a new DVD burner, the options available to you are dizzying. There are a few major types set apart from the rest. Normal DVD players are labeled as such, and won't indicate any kind of writing capability on the packaging. DVD writers will be labeled as "DVD-RW" and should indicate whether they are capable of writing DVDs (both one-time and rewritable DVDs) and CDs. Some DVD burners also burn Blu-Ray discs. Keep your eye out for this feature if you're into burning movies.
- DVD burners come in two basic flavors: IDE (or EIDE) and Serial ATA (SATA). SATA is faster and easier to install. If you have an older computer, check its documentation to see if it supports SATA. If it doesn't, buy an IDE drive. Although IDE is an older technology, you probably won't notice much difference in the read/write speeds compared to the faster SATA interface. All DVD burners require some type of power. IDE drives utilize the commonly found 4-pin drive plug, while SATA drives use a slightly different plug. Many SATA drives include the proper adapter, and many new power supplies include these plugs by default. If you don't have an extra power cable (or it won't reach), a Y-adapter or extender will be required.
- Depending on the technology, brand and speed, DVD burners can vary in cost. If purchased at a big-box electronics store, burners often include many extras, like software and extra cables. They also cost more. Money can be saved when ordering online, but they may not include many extras and sometimes are OEM (bare bones) packages, which only include the drive itself.
- There are many brands to consider when shopping for a DVD burner. Name brands like Pioneer and Sony may cost more than lesser-known brands. Their speed, features and included extras may vary from brand to brand, as do their prices. It's difficult to tell which brand is the "best," so read online reviews about DVD burners you're interested in before making a purchase.
- Installation of a DVD burner is a simple process, especially if you're already familiar with upgrading your computer. You'll need a free drive bay and a free IDE/SATA cable. If your drive is IDE, you'll need to set it as "master" or "slave." Refer to the instruction manual on how to set the jumpers for these settings. If it is the fastest drive in your system, it is a good idea to set it as "master." SATA burners do not need this jumper setting. Once you've done that, just remove the side panel from your computer, insert the drive into an empty bay and connect the cables. When you start your computer, it will be detected automatically by the BIOS and the operating system.
