New build, how does a DVD burner work?

[wintersnow]

So I should be getting a cheap DVD burner for the occasional software installation and such, but I don't really understand how I need to set-it up... got a number of questions, please help.

1. So a DVD burner is the same as DVD writer, which also reads DVD's and reads and writes CD's. Did i understand correctly?

2. After getting a DVD burner, I need to install a software in order to make it work (to both read and write)?

3. It is illegal to download the software online? What's a safe place to download a good software? I am inexperienced and paranoid about downloading stuff online.

4. If I am supposed to get the software to make use of the optical drive, how am I supposed to install the OS first?

5. Is there any spec that I should be looking for in a good DVD burner?


Thank you SO much =/

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

So I should be getting a cheap DVD burner for the occasional software installation and such, but I don't really understand how I need to set-it up... got a number of questions, please help.

Yes, there are cheap great units.

1. So a DVD burner is the same as DVD writer, which also reads DVD's and reads and writes CD's. Did i understand correctly?

Yes

2. After getting a DVD burner, I need to install a software in order to make it work (to both read and write)?

There are good free software suites for burning.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-cd-dvd-burning-software.htm#ashampoo

3. It is illegal to download the software online? What's a safe place to download a good software? I am inexperienced and paranoid about downloading stuff online.

It's illegal to download and pirate paid licensed software.There is a lot of great free software.

4. If I am supposed to get the software to make use of the optical drive, how am I supposed to install the OS first?

Windows will install the optical device drivers , and free software suites will help you utilize your drive.


5. Is there any spec that I should be looking for in a good DVD burner?

I will post a decent one here for you.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $19.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-16 08:54 EST-0500)

 

[wintersnow]

wow, so many good replies. Thank you, bouncedk, iknowhow and blackbird.

If I understood correctly, a DVD burner (OEM) can do simple stuff like installing OS and software CD's (like photoshop) without downloading any free software for it, no problem. Can it also play DVD movies?

So what does acquiring a free software suite enable my DVD burner to do? Make it more user-friendly?

 

[wintersnow]

oooh, ok. That makes sense. Thanks a bunch