Pioneer A05 or Sony DRU500A?

**EnJoY** · 18th October 2002

Sorry if this isn't the right forum, but since I plan on using my dvd burner to burn stuff for my xbox, I figured your oppinions would be best. So which drive should I get? Or neither? Thanks.

**Demonic Fish** · 18th October 2002

I think the Sony burns + media but the Pioneer doesnt BUT reading around it doesnt look as though + media is worth using anyway... someone correct me if Im wrong, Im a newbie to DVDR myself!

**Netman** · 18th October 2002

You can use either media but the -r are cheaper.

**Scrumhalf** · 18th October 2002

The Sony DRU500A will burn dvd-r(4X)/rw(2X) AND dvd+r/rw (2.4X).

The pioneer 105 will only be supportting dvd-r/rw as it does at the moment.

Im waiting on the sony. May as well have the "betamax" and "vhs" of dvd burners rather than take a chance and be stuck with just the "betamax".

**EnJoY** · 19th October 2002

K, thanks for the input guys. I still have a few days, but I think I'll go with the Sony.

**Scrumhalf** · 19th October 2002

Originally posted by EnJoY
K, thanks for the input guys. I still have a few days, but I think I'll go with the Sony.

Im going for the Sony myself. Only thing is, i can only see one place at the moment taking pre-orders. Looking around for others at the moment.

**EnJoY** · 19th October 2002

Actually it's already out... Search on pricewatch.com for DRU500A and you should get two sites with good prices slightly above $300. I just bought mine moments ago.

**Spike2k1** · 19th October 2002

not bad spec either!! look at that cdr burning rate!
Sony DRU-500A DVD/CD Rewritable Drive
� ATAPI (EIDE) internal interface
� 2.4X writing (DVD+RW/+R) 2X (max.) writing (DVD-RW) 4X (max.) writing (DVD-R) 8X (max.) reading (DVD-ROM) 24X (max.) writing (CD-R), 32X (max.) reading 10X (max.) writing (CD-RW), 32X (max.) reading
� Dimensions: 5.75 x 1.63 x 7.56 inches (W x H x L)
� Platform support: Windows 98SE/2000/Me/XP
� Burst data transfer rate: 33.3 MB/s max.
� Random access time: 160 ms (CD-ROM), 200 ms (DVD-ROM)
� Buffer memory: 8 MB
� Recording method (CD): disc at once, track at once, session at once, packet writing (DVD): Random Access Write (DVD+RW/DVD-RW), Sequential Write (DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW)
� Compatible disc format: DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD-R, CD-ROM, CD-DA, Video CD, Photo CD (multi-session), CD TEXT, CD Extra and others
� Availability � October 2002
� Estimated Selling Price � Under $350

**Scrumhalf** · 19th October 2002

Rather not order from the USA as im in the UK

Does the drive employ BURN Prrof or Just Link Technology to avoid buffer underruns?
Or cant a BU occur with an 8 meg buffer?

**Demonic Fish** · 19th October 2002

whats the best price you found on the Sony then mate?

**Scrumhalf** · 19th October 2002

�233.83. Thats INCLUSIVE of VAT, but EXCLUDING P&P.

Its a company ive never used before, and no details are available as to weather its OEM or the like. Can i post direct links here or is it not allowed?

Everywhere else ive now found is �250 upwards.

**Dan** · 19th October 2002

yea you can post direct links as long as its not warez, as its a legitamite shop i can see no problem with that (as long as you're not advertising)

**Scrumhalf** · 19th October 2002

http://www.refreshcomputers.com/acat...riters_45.html

**Scenic** · 20th October 2002

Confirmed that the sony burners are out. They are in Fry's http://www.outpost.com $349 I think....

Scenic

**EnJoY** · 22nd October 2002

www.myinfinity.com is where I got mine. Lowest price on the net for Sony DRU500A.

**coogy** · 30th October 2002

Originally posted by Scrumhalf
Im waiting on the sony. May as well have the "betamax" and "vhs" of dvd burners rather than take a chance and be stuck with just the "betamax".

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't +R the "betamax" of DVD? So why not just get the "VHS" version?

**Scrumhalf** · 30th October 2002

Originally posted by coogy

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't +R the "betamax" of DVD? So why not just get the "VHS" version?

Can you guarantee that - will be crowned king?
I doubt that very much, hence the need for dual format writers.

**coogy** · 31st October 2002

Yes I can see -R being crowned king, simply because these things are cost driven. Ok I accept that +R may be technically better, but then so was betamax.

**sonar** · 31st October 2002

Hmm... I thought the Sony was still on preorder

BTW +R may win as the biggest computer companies (Dell, Compaq, HP) support +RW so when you buy a computer you get one of those. So who sways the war, the few who manually replace their drives, or the mass consumers who buy everything bundled and already installed?

**Scrumhalf** · 31st October 2002

Originally posted by coogy
Yes I can see -R being crowned king, simply because these things are cost driven. Ok I accept that +R may be technically better, but then so was betamax.

And the cost of dvd+ media is falling.