Why are 8.5 GB Dual-Layer DVD+R so expensive and how do I know if my burner burns Dual Layer DVD's?

Question

I'm using Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 but I don't know if a special burner is needed. Can I create the point where it jumps layers? These discs are more than twice that of regular blank DVD's. I don't want to buy them before knowing some details.

Answer 1

Usually your burner will say in the manual or the letters DL will pop up in the model number somewhere which indicates it does burn Dual Layer discs. They are expensive due to the cost of manufacturing them and the demand. They are coming down in price, I remember when they first came out they were about $15 EACH!! They do work really well on those "long" 3+ hour movies or for fast action movies that you don't want to compress and lose quality on. I've even put two movies on one DL disc.
Using DL to backup data...It is a bit cheaper per GB to do DL, but keep in mind you'd have to backup 8.5GB to each disc to make it worth while.
In Roxio's programs you can't pick the point of the "jump" between layers, (or at least I haven't been able to find it) it is done automatically and uses the same jump point as the original DVD. In Nero, you can pick a "jump" point, however you only have about 3 minutes to work with to pick the frame for the jump, but I've discovered the original jump point is about the best as it is usually hidden in a fade.

Answer 2

The 8.5 GB DL DVD+R discs are expensive because they are fairly recent and production has not ramped up on them. I'm not even sure there is more than 1 source for DL discs. At some point, they may become cheap enough, if there is enough potential demand out there. However, interestingly enough, we are also at an interesting time where High Definition discs are coming out. Those discs will be able to hold 25 GB or more. The production cost for those discs probably won't be too different from the DL DVD+R discs. So, companies may find it better to not invest in DL DVD+R production.

Of course, if you don't have a recorder that can accept DL DVD+R media, then it is all academic. You will have to have bought a recorder or computer somewhat recently for that to be possible. Find out what kind of DVD recorder you have on your computer (such as by checking System in your Control Panel) and then look up the specifications on the Internet.

Answer 3

Well, the +R's usually have the faster burn times, ie 16x, and the dual layer DVDs have almost twice the room as a single layer dvd. Hence the larger price tag. If you bought your DVD burner in the last year or so then most likely it does burn dual layer. However check the manufacturers website for confirmation on that. Newegg.com is a great place to buy computer media.

Depending on what you are trying to burn, you could use DVD Shrink 3.2, it compresses Large DVDs so that they are burnable on single layer discs.

Answer 4

Two things make them so expensive:

1) Dual layer DVDs use two surfaces to record data, so they use twice the production materials in manufacturing;
2) Supply and demand.

It's your burner that dictates what types of disc you can burn on. Check your drive specifications to see what types of disc your drive supports.

Answer 5

They are more expensive because they hold more information.

And your burner should say whether it burns dual layer discs.

Answer 6

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