Mad Dog's MegaStor Triple Format DVD writer offers fast write speeds for multiple formats, including DVD-RAM. This DVD writer burns at 16X for DVD+/-R, and it rewrites at 8X for DVD+RW and 6X for DVD-RW. This means you can burn an entire DVD worth of data or video in as little as 6 minutes.

The MegaStor Triple Format is also a Dual Layer (DL) writer, with DVD+R DL speeds of 8X and DVD-R DL speeds of 6X. Dual Layer media lets you store 8.5GB of data or up to 4 hours of video on a single disc. This media was significantly more expensive than traditional media when first introduced, but prices have come down considerably, and DL media will most likely supplant standard DVD media in the future. Burning a full DL disc took around 20 minutes with this drive.

What's unusual about the MegaStor Triple Format is that it also supports DVD-RAM. These DVD cartridges are another form of rewriteable media that have a longer life than DVD-RW. The 5X DVD-RAM speed lets you fill a 4.7GB DVD-RAM cartridge in under 15 minutes. You can even get double-sided DVD-RAM media and house up to 9.4GB of data on one cartridge.

Installing this DVD writer is a straightforward process. After connecting it and booting our system up, Windows recognized the drive immediately. The front panel of the drive is rather plain, with a larger-than-average tray in order to handle DVD-RAM cartridges. There isn't a headphone jack or volume control, as the front panel only has an eject button, an LED that lights up during reads and writes, and an emergency open slot.

The MegaStor Triple Format includes Roxio's Easy Media Creator 7 suite of tools for editing video and creating your own DVD. If you're looking for a quality burner that can take advantage of DVD-RAM media, the robust Mad Dog MegaStor Triple Format is an excellent all-around DVD writer that handles all formats at high speeds.

Pro: Fast all-around speeds.
Con: A bit pricey, no headphone jack or volume control.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Mad Dog Multimedia, Inc.
12520 High Bluff Drive, Suite 190
San Diego, CA 92130
858-755-9750
http://www.mdmm.com

Warranty
2 years, limited