DVD writer--Suggestions

[rjt]

I understand there are several protocols for DVD burning and a DVD burned on one may not be read by another. The primary purose at this point is to burn data back-ups. My question(s)....

1) Any thoughts on which protocol is the most common and/or most likely to win this race?

2) Suggestions on good DVD burners?

3) My computer builder offered a TEAC (but he can get whatever I want)... any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance

Take Care

[+Erik.+]

get a drive that can deal with both + and - formats but in reality I don't think it matters THAT much.

Normal dvd readers have no trouble reading either format and neither do most dvd players.

I've used both formats equally (+ and -) and not ran into any problems with either.

I have the NEC 1300 4x writer and am delighted with it. Pioneer and Sony brands are also popular, but in truth I can't recommend one over the other.

The sony we had at work seems to perform equally as well as my much cheaper NEC 1300 and two of my friends have the Pioneer (a07 it might be) and they also swear by them.