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General discussion

Need Help!! - DVD burner advice

Mar 11, 2006 8:14AM PST

Hi. I have been wanting to purchase a dvd burner for a while now. I have no idea how difficult or easy the process is. I have hundreds of WMV clips that I want to convert to DVD format and save on disc.
I have an hp computer and windowsXP. I have no idea how to attach an internal burner, and guessing I might not be able to do that all by myself, so was thinking about trying an external one, since I do have a few tapes that I'd love to transfer onto dvd.

Any and all advice and help would be greatly appreciated. I really don't know much about the whole dvd burning thing, and have NO idea what the process is like. Is it fairly easy and clear to follow??. I'm really clueless about this kind of stuff, so I'm most concerned about if and how I'll be able to get the burner working properly and get started and burn effective dvd discs for myself.
Please help!. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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DIY
Mar 11, 2006 11:41AM PST

It is pretty easy to install a DVD or CD drive. Your PC manual should tell how to R&R drives, and the new drive will come with paperwork. The main thing is to set the jumper on the back per the manual. Also, if you want to play a DVD, the software bundled with the burner may not have the DVD codec required to view DVDs. You can download a trial version of WinDVD.

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thanks... So
Mar 12, 2006 11:59AM PST

I have a dvd rom on my PC and WinDVD too, where I can view dvd's. I want to be able to add the dvd writer.

How do you install an internal burner? what's that process like?. Also, one a burner is fixed, it isn't too complicated to convert from wmv to dvd or just burn dvd's in general, is it?

Thanks for your responseHappy

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installation
Mar 12, 2006 9:29PM PST

You set the drive to the recommended jumper setting, remove the side cover and the front cover, remove the dummy front piece, install the drive (on HP you install the supplied screws in the lower set of holes on the drive) install the ribbon and power cables (most machines have a second connector on the ribbon cable and a second connector for power), and close the case back up. Once you re-boot, windows will find the new device and configure it. You then can install the bundled burning software unless ylu want a more robust prgram. I get by with what came with the drive. FWIW, I just got an NEC from Tiger Direct for $34.95 after rebate. Consult the manual or website for your PC and look at the instructions that come with your drive. Total install time for me with software wass under 15 minutes.