Instead, take a system approach. Use a high quality service agency or purchase a writer, software, and discs from a reputable, experienced system integrator. Obtain a package that works, instead of reinventing the wheel by attempting to become an expert in a field that contains few experts. Even worse, no public or private standards exist for writers and players. Some vendors may be listed only for 74 minute media, others for both 74 and 80 minute discs.
Significant differences exist between writers.
One might work well with certain discs and poorly with others. Another might be tuned for discs that gave poor results in the first one. Of course no one wants to wait one hour while a disc is recorded. Writers are now being spun up to 12X and 16X, sometimes with excellent results but often with poor results at maximum or minimum speeds. Writers are rated by their maximum write speed, but lower speeds such as 2X or 1X may not be supported by the manufacturer.