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DVD burner, before I open the box

G

ginfest

Golden Member
Been waiting to get a DVD burner for awhile and bought the new Pioneer 105 (4X -R/2X -RW) on a Christmas impulse. I have read the FAQ and many web-based reviews and articles and most seem to indicate that the -R/-RW was the most compatable with set-top boxes, so I grabbed this drive at $259.00. I also saw the new Sony that does both -R/-RW and +R/+RW but it was $100.00 more and more than I wanted to spend.
Question, is this a good pick? Before I set it up I'm having 2nd thoughts as to whether I should wait and get the Sony or another "all format" drive (when they appear)?
Thoughts and comments?
TIA,
Mike G
 
I did a similar thing to you and tried to gauge what what was the format most likely to succeed and my findings were that it was far from over. What I mean is that no-one actually could say. I did however come to a slightly different conclusion as to which format to go for. But it really depends which reviews and sites you visit.

I went for the -R/+RW format and have as yet to find a stand alone DVD player that does not play them. Again ppl wil say that they have had no problems with -R/RW format either so it's anyone's guess IMO. If I had waited a few more weeks I would have definately gone for the Sony DRU500a which does both as I never really came to a hardened conclusion. Personally, I would send it back and go for the Sony. $100 is worth it IMO.

😉
 
in my experience, Sony optical drives are junk. it might be worth it to get more compatibility, though. i would probably just keep the pioneer drive, however, $100 is a $100.
 
Originally posted by: EdipisReks
in my experience, Sony optical drives are junk. it might be worth it to get more compatibility, though. i would probably just keep the pioneer drive, however, $100 is a $100.
Click to expand...

A few ppl have said that too. I have not to date had any problems witn my Sony DRU 120A but thats not to say they aren't very good but like i said mine has been great. I do however like Pioneer DVD drives and I struggle to be seperated from my Plextor drives. Shame Plextor don't do DVD writer! 🙁
 
I guess I haven't had the same experience as you. I have two Sony CDRWs that have held up great. One is a 4x2x?x and the other is a 10x4x?x and I've had them both since they just came out. I have yet to have a problem with them. They are not the fastest, or the most feature filled but reliable they have been in spades. I currently employ a 48x Lite-On as my main burner, but the Sonys are still used by my other machines.
 
It all depends on what you are going to use the drive for.. If your using it to back up movies for yourself then any drive will be fine. . If you're using it to create\back up movies for many different people then you definitely bought the right drive..
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I just got a mini-dv camera and plan to transfer my movies to the computer for editing and then make my own DVDs. I also want a data backup solution that doesn't entail multiple CDRs. I also plan to transfer my collection of videotapes to DVD eventially. And lastly, I'll probably make copies of some of my DVD movies.
So the drive will serve multi functions, and I like the fact that the Pioneer will write DVD-R at 4X.
I've also read that DVD-R/RW are cheaper than DVD+R/RW so that factors in.
My hesitation? After waiting for the "right" time to buy I want to make sure that -R/-RW is the way to go and don't want to have to buy another drive in 6 months or a year.
I'm still running a SCSI Plextor 40X and Plextor 12/10/32X which handle my CD burning need and have been in service for almost 2 years. So I like to get a lot of use out of my purchases.
Still debating,
Mike G
 
i got the pioneer 105 2 days ago - so far i am happy doing miniDV ->DVD-R and backing up my collection of digital pictures using DVD-R.. i havent tried dvd ->dvd yet because im still looking for the best software to do that....i'll keep you updated...
 
Think of it this way. You saved $100 now. Now, if worst comes to worst, and the DVD-R/RW format that you invested in loses to DVD+R/+RW, then you're going to have to get another drive. In a few years, when you are forced to change formats, that drive will probably cost you.... about a $100 (actually, it'll probably be less than $25 dollars after one of MysticMan's crazy coupon/rebate/pricematch deals). Not to mention that all the DVD-R discs that you burned will still be readable in all your computer and Standalone DVD-Rom drives in the future. Not to mention, it will be a much faster drive. Shelling out $350 for the Sony really doesn't make that much sense. I'd like to take a poll for all the owners of the Sony DRU500A drive. Which media are you using for 99% of your burning needs? I bet you most people have stuck to cheap DVD-R discs.
 
Ill tell you something. I am a DRU500a owner, and they are nice looking drives. As for the media, I have only ever bought DVD+RW discs for it. I will wait for 4x DVD-R media before I buy any of those R discs. At the moment I'm using 5 +RW discs as a simple, fast backup for my docs folder 🙂
 
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