Which DVDRW Best fits my needs?

[DosX]

I'm very close to purchasing a DVD burner and am considering which one to buy.

It's primarily to play DVD movies in my bedroom but I would like to be able to make backup copies of my DVD movies as well. I also dabble with Digital Photography, so large storage and R/W appeal to me as well.

I'd also like to be able to make copies of my son's PC games, some of which have copy protection. My son is entirely too rough with his PC-CD's and we've had to replace more then a couple for him.

I've read good things about:
Pioneer DVR-A08XLA or Pioneer DVR-108D (What's the difference?)
Plextor PX-712A
NEC ND-3500A

Quality and abilities are most important to me. I want to be able to copy various media without making silver frisbees.

*I realize this isn't the appropriate forum, but could someone recommend a DVD recording procedure (with software), and a PC-CDROM procedure (again with software)?

TIA