(Dead) Cendyne DVD-R/RW Drive "$149.99" AR & coupon at OfficeMax

[MisterE]

FYI, for those Ritek blank DVD-R's, there is a 20% off $40 coupon floating around to use at SupermediaStore.com. Haven't used it yet, but as far as I know, expiration is "None".

I found a coupon code that I entered when ordering the media (30% off $35, I think), but it didn't show up at checkout. They (SuperMediaStore) may do the code entry manually, so perhaps I will get some sort of discount.

E.

 

[spinn]

well, now this is totally off the Office Max site...they don't even list it anymore.

 

[Serpentor]

I'm a little confused with all of the updates, is this deal totally dead now or still possible?

 

[wjsulliv]

Still good via B&M until they sell out.

 

[spinn]

is there any way to do this deal at a B&M since there is no printable $50 off coupon. The OM near me, won't accept Staples coupons. Or is there a printable $50 coupon...hmmm?

 

[wjsulliv]

I just printed the online coupon and told the manager I didn't want to wait for it to be delivered. He honored it just fine

 

[MysticMan1]

Originally posted by: Serpentor
I'm a little confused with all of the updates, is this deal totally dead now or still possible?

The part about doing a PM at Staples is dead because the $50 Staples rebate expired Sat., But you can still do a PM (110%) at Staples without a rebate using the $50 off $200 on-line Staples coupon, if you can fine a OfficeMax store that still has the drive in stock so you can PM it and pay around $192.00 for the Cendyne DVD-R/RW Drive.

Some OfficeMax stores will let you use a OfficeMax on-line coupon in the store. It's not a OfficeMax policy to accept on-line coupons in stores, but a store managers can accept on-line coupons in stores if they choose to do so. What you can try is to print out $50 off $250 coupon page and take it to a store and tell the manager that you where going to buy it on-line so you could use your coupon, but it OOS on-line so can you use the coupon in the store.

 

[ShinSa]

Originally posted by: govikes
FYI, for those Ritek blank DVD-R's, there is a 20% off $40 coupon floating around to use at SupermediaStore.com. Haven't used it yet, but as far as I know, expiration is "None".

Those Ryteks should not be used for backups. See my post above.

 

[MisterE]

My drive should be here today! My plan is to put it in an external USB 2.0 enclosure, but I'm a little concerned about heat dissipation (or the lack thereof). The enclosure that I picked up probably doesn't have the best air flow.

E.

 

[MisterE]

ShinSa, are these "Rytek" discs that you keep mentioning cheap knock-offs of Ritek media or something (rebadges, perhaps)? I've used Ritek CD-R media, and they were average at best. I haven't used Ritek DVD-R media (yet), so I'm not qualified to speak good or ill about it. I can't imagine that a company would "spoof" the Ritek name brand and call their products "Rytek."

E.

 

[Evadman]

Thankfully, I didn't have to dial 911, or put anyone's head in a brace this time.

But I am still pissed off at officemax. I went there to pickup the Belkin 10/100 Nic card for $5 after a $5 MIR and $5 IR. (UPC: 722868-383810) I also had them running around looking for other stuff, like the wireless 802.11b card w/free desktop adapter, but they coun't find that. Well, the stupid Nic card came up to $14.99 on the screen, and I had them check the ad, and they said it comes up at the end witht he rebates. Even the IR ones. Ok, sure.

Here is the big deal. I bought 4 packs of slim cd cases that were $7.99 buy one get one free (UPC: 051122-410857). After checking oput, I looked at my reciept. It said 2 2 7.99 = 15.98, then under that it had the free one which said 1 @ -7.99 = 7.99 So I read that is there being a max of 1 for free no mater how many bought.

I am fine with that even though it said no limits on the sign. I went back and returned the 2 that I paid full price for before I even walked out the front door. The cashier wanbted to know if I wanted to return them, then buy them again to get the 2 for 1 deal, and I said noi, that would be cheating. ( I hate people who do that, and I refuse to ) so I got my $15.98 back on my card, then left.

Here is the kicker. I got home, and found that when I did the addition myself, that I was charged correctly the first time. even though the reciept clearly said I only got 1 for free, it actually gave me both. So I decide to drive back to the store, and pay the $7.99 that I owed them. I talked to the same casheer, and told her that she could cancel the refund and give me back the 2 I returned, or charge me $7.99 and give me nothing. Aparently, this confused the hell out of her, and she called her manager. It confused the hell out of him to. I tried explaining it 20 different ways, but he just couldn't figure it out. It's not that damn hard!

After about 15 minutes he finaly figures it out, and charges me $7.99 and does not give me anything. Then, and this is what pisses me off: HE DID NOT SAY THANK YOU! That little flucker! Granted it was only $8 but who cares! He didn't say anything! he handed me my reciept and started talking to 2 of his friends that came in the store in the middle of our conversation. ARRGH! I NEVER EVER forgot to say thank you for any reason where I used to work @ Home Depot. Even if it was a customer who I knew was wrong, I still said thank you.

I drive all the way back to the store to make sure I am charged the correct price, and I don't even get that courticy! I am fricking pissed. i'll make sure not to shop at that store any more :|

 

[MisterE]

I got home and the drive was here. In the Cendyne box is the Pioneer DVR-104, manufactured August 2002, Nero Express (with Nero Vision Express), InterVideo WinDVD, 1 blank that I assume is a DVD-RW, IDE cable and audio cable, mounting screws, instruction pamphlet. I installed the drive in an external USB 2.0 enclosure and connected it. Windows 2000 found it no problem and no special drivers were needed for the (new) enclosure or the drive. firmware was 1.30 (1.32 is available at Pioneer website), but I found a link to a modified version 1.33 (allows burning 2x to good quality 1x media) at VCDHelp.Com. Flashed it with no problems. I have Nero installed, but it wouldn't allow me to select the DVD-RW as a writer. That it because the Nero is OEM keyed to my LiteOn CD-RW drive that is installed in this computer. I installed the Nero Express that came with the DVD-RW and updated Nero/Nero Express to most current available at Nero's website. Nero still works with my CD-RW and Nero Express works with both the CD-RW and the DVD-RW.

I didn't have anything ready to burn to DVD, so I ripped my "Babylon 5: The Gathering" DVD to my hard drive. Movie is around 1hr30min in length, and the full DVD contents weigh in at around 3.87GB. Burned to DVD in around 27 minutes, and data verification took around 27 minutes (Nero/Nero Express have a "verify data" option that you can turn on). The burned DVD passed verification and the disc plays in my JVC XV-523 DVD player. Also plays in my DVD-ROM drives, of course.

I used Memorex media for this test burn. They are on sale at Best Buy this week for $10 after rebate for a 5-pack. My Ritek 100-pack hasn't come in, yet, so I can't test that media.

E.

 

[Viper32]

Originally posted by: MisterE
I got home and the drive was here. In the Cendyne box is the Pioneer DVR-104, manufactured August 2002, Nero Express (with Nero Vision Express), InterVideo WinDVD, 1 blank that I assume is a DVD-RW, IDE cable and audio cable, mounting screws, instruction pamphlet. I installed the drive in an external USB 2.0 enclosure and connected it. Windows 2000 found it no problem and no special drivers were needed for the (new) enclosure or the drive. firmware was 1.30 (1.32 is available at Pioneer website), but I found a link to a modified version 1.33 (allows burning 2x to good quality 1x media) at VCDHelp.Com. Flashed it with no problems. I have Nero installed, but it wouldn't allow me to select the DVD-RW as a writer. That it because the Nero is OEM keyed to my LiteOn CD-RW drive that is installed in this computer. I installed the Nero Express that came with the DVD-RW and updated Nero/Nero Express to most current available at Nero's website. Nero still works with my CD-RW and Nero Express works with both the CD-RW and the DVD-RW.

I didn't have anything ready to burn to DVD, to I ripped my "Babylon 5: The Gathering" DVD to my hard drive. Movie is around 1hr30min in length, and the full DVD contents weigh in at aroun 3.87GB. Burned to DVD in around 27 minutes, and data verification took around 27 minutes (Nero/Nero Express have a "verify data" option that you can turn on). The burned DVD passed verification and the disc plays in my JVC XV-523 DVD player. Also plays in my DVD-ROM drives, of course.

I used Memorex media for this test burn. They are on sale at Best Buy this week for $10 after rebate for a 5-pack. My Ritek 100-pack hasn't come in, yet, so I can't test that media.

E.

Would you mind sending me a link to that hacked firmware by email or either post the link here please....

Viper
viper2@chesnet.net

 

[MisterE]

I don't know if I should link to it, because I think that the firmware also does a region crack. Here is a link to the page that I got the link from, though. Go there and look for "Pioneer 2x4all DVR firmwares."

MODS: If you think that this post is inappropriate, please remove the link without banning me.

EDIT: Don't blame me if you mess up your drive when flashing it. The firmware flash worked fine for me.

E.

 

[randomlinh]

if you read the board, lots of concern w/ the firmware and cheaper media. the older firmware seems to work but not the newer one.

also, anyone know about the new pioneer firmware that fixes a "bug" w/ 4x media? roommate said it limits 4x media down to 1x... anyone else hear this?

 

[spinn]

Found a Cendyne at a OM B&M and was able to use a $50 off over $200 coupon from Staples (ends 11/2). Called ahead to make sure that they're allowed to use competitor's coupons, as it is up to the store manager to decide. Got it for $216+ out the door. Less $50 rebate, equals $166. Thanks guys!

 

[MisterE]

if you read the board, lots of concern w/ the firmware and cheaper media. the older firmware seems to work but not the newer one. also, anyone know about the new pioneer firmware that fixes a "bug" w/ 4x media? roommate said it limits 4x media down to 1x... anyone else hear this?

As I read it, the 1.31 firmware was good with cheaper media, but the official 1.32 wasn't so good. Official 1.32 did fix the problem of the drive burning up when writing to 4x media, though (maybe by limiting to 1x burn, but I don't know this). The version 1.33 that I posted the link to is supposed to be hacked to allow 2x burning on cheaper media, while retaining whatever fix was implemented for burning on 4x media.

E.

 

[Liviathan]

I just got mine this morning from the online order......I haven't bought media yet, but i'll get around to it this weekend.

BTW if you live in the St. louis area there is an OM near i-170 in olive road that still has 2-3 in stock.

 

[MysticMan1]

I received my Cendyne DVD-R/RW Drive from OM yesterday, (the one from Staples came Monday), both drives say Model DVD-104 and both have a sticker on the front of the box saying "drive by Pioneer ".

They put a copy of the Nov. rebate booket in the box. some of the interesting rebates for next month are a $30 rebate on the CenDyne 52x24x52 and a $30 rebate on the Verbatim 52x24x52 both of these are probably LiteOns, and a $30 reate on the WD 80GB HD (11-10 to 11-16), a $50 rebate on the WD 120GB HD (11-17 to 11-23).

 

[Liviathan]

well time to buy a new cdr and a 120gig hd!!!

 

[PnoT]

Scored one tonight at Office Max B&M and took in the $50 off $250 coupon that i printed out from the web. They only had two left
but i had them hold one =) Thanks Mysticman1!

 

[stingray2]

Scored one tonight at Office Max B&M and took in the $50 off $250 coupon that i printed out from the web. They only had two left

what do you take into the B&M to get the $50 off $250??????
the links i found out there just take you to a OM web page that tells you 'Your discount will appear prior to submitting payment information'..

thanks

 

[NogginBoink]

Well, mine was installed in the ol' machine today.

Now what's a good authoring app? I would like to author DVDs using video from the camcorder or other captured video. Nero Express that comes in the box with the drive wants me to purchase a codec.

 

[wjsulliv]

stingray2, if you see my post a few posts above yours you will find your answer.

But just to recap.

Print out the webpage that says "$50 off $250 Online" and take it the B&M and then hope the manager is willing to do it. I have never had a problem.

 

[spinn]

I had problems trying to print out the $50 off $250 web page, as the mgr said it was only an ONLINE deal.

Your best bet is to get a Staples $50 off $200 and take it into OM B&M. The mgr should ok it, as it's their online policy to do so, so the local store should follow suit. This worked for me. The Staples coupon expires 11/2...hurry!