HOT!!!! Yamaha CRW-F1 EIDE 44/24/44 CD-R (Wht/Blk Bezel AND Ext. USB 2.0) @ Dell Home (Edit - no more 10%)

[DestruyaUR]

In memoriam of HawkeyeNJ - lotsa elbow grease was shed finding these.

EDIT: Guy named "Alex" leaked this thread onto techbargains today, not that I'm pissed...but I would have liked to have gotten some credit for finding these and crunching the numbers, and I'm sure MSantiago would have liked some kudos for finding the rebate. Just a thought. Gotta go watch Sopranos.

Dell Home & Home Office has the USB 2.0 and white and black-bezeled Yamaha CRW-F1 IDE (the ones with DiscT@2) drives in-stock for pretty decent prices using the existing 10% off everything special and stackable $10 off code - just add 3% eBates, and these are pretty good deals, with free ground shipping. Now if only they had the rarer SCSI versions, *I'D* be happy. All ship in "1-3 days," too.

(I have no clue whether they're retail or not, so don't ask - they don't say )

White Bezeled IDE

$172.95
- 34.29 (incl. free shipping)
----------
$145.66
- 3% ebates (~4.37)
----------
$141.29

Black Bezeled IDE

$183.95
- 35.39 (incl. free shipping)
----------
$148.56
- 3% ebates (~4.45)
----------
$144.11

External USB 2.0

EDIT: Not "potentially hot," *scorchingly* hot - 150 is 66 bucks less than the lowest quote for the USB 2.0 version on Pricewatch:

To get above 200, to use the 25 off 200 code, I recommend 21 of these (keeping in mind you can have only 10 of each maximum: Refurbished Whats-it Screws (.05)

200.04 (with 21 screws)
- 52.00 (incl. free shipping)
----------
155.04
- 3% eBates (~$4.65)
----------
150.39

Hope someone has been looking for this. They might not be as cheap or even as fast as Plexes or Lite-Ons, but they're still rather nifty. Edit: the 10% off is only good for another day. Ends midnight 9/16...unless Dell renews it.

Personal Question: for those reading this thread who have experience with external burners, how are they for...ahem..."backup copies" of software? I run a mostly SCSI computer, and I do know Yamaha makes internal and external SCSI versions of the CRW-F1 for about 50 dollars more, but do they perform on-par with their internal counterparts on "backing up" things?

 

[Coraanu]

Pretty decent prices, thanks for the heads up!

 

[MSantiago]

Nice deal!

Even hotter: $20 MIR for F1 CD-R.

The SCSI and EIDE versions of the F1 are exactly the same. The only difference is that the SZ version includes the screw-on SCSI converter. On a good note, the F1 supports the same SCSI converter used in the CRW2200 and CRW3200 drives. It's a little hard to find in the US, but if you want to order the converter from Canada or the UK, the part number is SC2200.

As for backing up protected CDs, the F1 isn't bad at all. Take a look at the review from CDRInfo.com.

 

[hamburglar]

nice price

 

[DestruyaUR]

Originally posted by: MSantiago
Nice deal!

The only difference is that the SZ version includes the screw-on SCSI converter. On a good note, the F1 supports the same SCSI converter used in the CRW2200 and CRW3200 drives. It's a little hard to find in the US, but if you want to order the converter from Canada or the UK, the part number is SC2200.

Good call on the rebate, but we might wanna check if it's a non-specific one before saying it's applicable...it might be restricted to a specific store - as in it says "Not available at Best Buy stores." Plus, we don't know yet if this is retail, whiteboxed, or even bare, so we have to treat it as being the latter two before we get confirmation.

I looked into the IDE-to-SCSI converter a while back before I heard that Yamaha was planning on putting out "native" SCSI versions (internal/external), but the lowest price I've been finding for the thing has been around 100 bucks, which is not including shipping (which even for such a small item such as the SC2200 would probably be 7-10 bucks UPS). The lowest price I've found on the pre-done OEM Whiteboxed SCSI black bezeled drive is 199 (not including shipping) from componentsdirect.com (~3.3 reseller rating), and PCStop (7.7 rating) for 218.22 shipped (buy.com only has them in a 10 pack...grrrr). Buying the Black IDE drive from Dell THEN the SCSI converter, which is getting rarer and rarer to find, it seems like, would actually cost me close to 260 bucks. Mind you, that's 218.22 MINUS whatever I can get for my existing Plex 12/4/32 SCSI on eBay, which looks like a realistic amount of around 75-100 bucks The only minus I can see is that I can't use the rebate with a SCSI drive...since 1) it's OEM, and 2) it has an entirely different model number. Plus, PCStop is clear across the country in WA...I'm in VA.

Also I'm looking to unload my two first-gen Seagate X15s to trade them in for one new 36.4GB X15.3 later down the line (less drives = less noise - there are 5 now in the system altogether). Gotta love SCSI peripherals, they still have a market long after comprable IDE devices have sailed into obsolescence - you tell me who'd buy a used IDE 12/4/32 burner nowadays for a 100+ dollars besides a gullible fool who obviously doesn't read ATHD.

Edit: CORRECTION, the best price for the OEM SCSI drive is at provantage.com. CRW-F1SBN1 (Black Bezel OEM SCSI) for 211.69 shipped from Ohio to VA UPS Ground (probably 2-3 days max), and provantage has an 8.87 reseller rating. SCORE! Retail boxed drive is 20 bucks more, but I don't need the software in it and the OEM drive carries the same warranty as the boxed one. YAY! NO MORE 12X BURNING AND NO NEED TO SPRAYPAINT THE PLEX'S BEZEL! (Case is a Lian Li PC-71 ) Downside is this thing costs nearly 50 bucks LESS than what I paid for the Plex 12/4/32 in the Summer of 2000...

 

[Luden]

My favorite feature about this drive is that the software allows you burn text into the excess free space on the data side of the disk, you can put labels on the data side of the disk with the burner. I read about it in a article somewhere.

edit:

The CRW-F1 is the first CD-RW recorder to offer the revolutionary DiscT@2TM Laser Labeling System, which allows graphics and text to be burnt onto CD-R disc, eliminating the need for labels. Customers can put graphics, such as signatures, logos, memorandums, and photo images onto CD-R's unused area after data writing. This unique feature will certainly enhance the CD-R recording experience for many users

source: www.yamaha.co.jp

reviews:
Cdrlabs.com rated 9/10.
zdnet rated 8.1/10.

 

[MSantiago]

Originally posted by: DestruyaUR

Originally posted by: MSantiago
Nice deal!

The only difference is that the SZ version includes the screw-on SCSI converter. On a good note, the F1 supports the same SCSI converter used in the CRW2200 and CRW3200 drives. It's a little hard to find in the US, but if you want to order the converter from Canada or the UK, the part number is SC2200.

Good call on the rebate, but we might wanna check if it's a non-specific one before saying it's applicable...it might be restricted to a specific store - as in it says "Not available at Best Buy stores." Plus, we don't know yet if this is retail, whiteboxed, or even bare, so we have to treat it as being the latter two before we get confirmation.

It's applicable to all retail stores with the exception of Best Buy. Also, Dell Home lists the Manufacturer Part# as CRWF1EZ. To my knowledge, there's no such thing as the CRWF1EZ, so I think it's fairly safe to assume that it's a typo and that they meant to put down CRWF1ZE.

 

[cliftonite]

I read that the CRW-F1S (the scsi model) will not perform like a true SCSI drive because it is just an attachment. Is this true or will it perform like a true SCSI drive? I am sick of my IDE cdrom devices and the way they cripple the rest of the system by using all the resources. Would the scsi Yamaha perform like other true scsi drives? Also shouldnt the USB2 drives perform better than the regular drives since USB2 wouldnt use the IDE bus?

 

[MSantiago]

Oh -- also forgot to mention that NCIX.com has the SC2200 IDE to SCSI converter available for $58.41 plus shipping. Take a look here.

 

[MSantiago]

Originally posted by: cliftonite
I read that the CRW-F1S (the scsi model) will not perform like a true SCSI drive because it is just an attachment. Is this true or will it perform like a true SCSI drive? I am sick of my IDE cdrom devices and the way they cripple the rest of the system by using all the resources. Would the scsi Yamaha perform like other true scsi drives? Also shouldnt the USB2 drives perform better than the regular drives since USB2 wouldnt use the IDE bus?

I haven't received my F1 yet, but I use a Yamaha CRW3200 with the SC2200 converter and it works exactly like any other 50 pin SCSI-2 device. Connects right to the SCSI chain and behaves just like it should. I plan on using the converter with my F1 as soon as it arrives and selling off my old 3200. Very satisfied so far.

 

[cliftonite]

Also do you guys think that the Usb 2.0 drive is worth an extra 100 bucks over the usb 2.0 drive at officemax?

 

[DestruyaUR]

Cliff,

Definitely NOT if you plan on using this only as a primary burner and reader. This thing is for people who want the frills like the DiscT@2 and Audio Enhancement Circuitry. The LiteOn 48X kicks the CRW-F1s a** in performance, yet it doesn't have the microchip-level features the CRW-F1 has. If you want just a burner, go with OfficeMax, if you want the extra frills, go with this. The price for the Ext. USB2 burner here is frigging amazing. Plus, you might want to look into getting a USB2/Firewire enclosure and taking advantage of some of the more-recent ultra-cheap 32-40X burners.

Watch, Dell will run out of screws before they run out of drives...

Also, to the other posters - I've heard the CRW-F1 SCSI series IS a true SCSI drive. It MIGHT have the conversion circuitry inside the drive, but nothing I've heard leads me to believe that there's an ugly converter bolted to the back. I guess time will tell, considering I just ordered the Black Bezeled OEM drive from Provantage for 211 shipped to VA. I'll report back here once I get it.

 

[WebDude]

DestruyaUR,
The scsi version is just an IDE drive with the add-on ide-to-scsi converter thrown into the box. I know, I got one a couple of days ago. I was expeced an integrated scsi drive, but didn't get it. I imagine it will perform fine as a scsi drive, but I was expecting different. I think for the extra money you have to pay there's no real advantage to the scsi drive in this case. Just my opinion.

WebDude

 

[Nicholson]

Originally posted by: DestruyaUR


Black Bezeled IDE

$183.95
- 35.39 (incl. free shipping)
----------
$148.56
- 3% ebates (~4.45)
----------
$144.11

This is a sweet CDRW, but are you sure the math is correct on the black one? I added it to my cart, the 10% discount was $18.39 + the $10 off coupon and free shipping came to a total of $155.56 ($183.95- $28.39) before ebates.

 

[nolimitt]

Originally posted by: Luden
My favorite feature about this drive is that the software allows you burn text into the excess free space on the data side of the disk, you can put labels on the data side of the disk with the burner. I read about it in a article somewhere.

edit:

The CRW-F1 is the first CD-RW recorder to offer the revolutionary DiscT@2TM Laser Labeling System, which allows graphics and text to be burnt onto CD-R disc, eliminating the need for labels. Customers can put graphics, such as signatures, logos, memorandums, and photo images onto CD-R's unused area after data writing. This unique feature will certainly enhance the CD-R recording experience for many users

source: www.yamaha.co.jp

reviews:
Cdrlabs.com rated 9/10.
zdnet rated 8.1/10.

I was kinda disappointed with the disk t@2 ... you gotta have the Dark dye CDRs in order to really see the text Overall I think this cdrw kicks ass though, expecially the 24x rewrite w00t! Too bad I haven't seen any 24x cdrws selling anywhere, so I'm using the one that came with the drive.

 

[DestruyaUR]

This is a sweet CDRW, but are you sure the math is correct on the black one? I added it to my cart, the 10% discount was $18.39 + the $10 off coupon and free shipping came to a total of $155.56 ($183.95- $28.39) before ebates.

Yes, my math is correct when you take into account that I included the free ground shipping in the total discount price.

 

[DestruyaUR]

*sigh* Provantage has already shipped my SCSI drive. Even with the possible rebate, I'd only be saving about an extra 13 bucks or so since the converter is 70.13 shipped from NCIX. Selling my Plex 12/4/32 on eBay should alleviate most of the cost, effectively making the drive very affordable. I use CD-Rs 90% of the time, so I'll just have to wait for 24X-certified CD-R/W media to become more prevalent - which probably won't be much longer now that 16X drives are coming out, and I'm sure the CD-manufacturers will cert them up to 24X just to make it look better on the spindles/jewel cases.

Also, I'm gullible enough to believe that maybe the SCSI-converter included with CRW-F1s is of a later revision than the SC2200 of the earlier days. Yes, I know I'm deluding myself, but I'm justifying my actions

Still, what I'M looking forward to the most is finally being able to do a full-speed drive-to-drive copy from my 40XMax Narrow Plex reader directly to the Yamaha, which was kinda hard to do when locked at 12X *droool*

Glad a lot of people are benefitting from this deal - I happened on the IDE versions by chance and decided to do a little deeper digging, and found the USB 2.0 version, which seems to be the sweetest plum of the harvest by far. Too bad they don't have the external or internal SCSI versions or the very-expensive dual USB 2.0/Firewire drive. Still can't fault the prices.

For those planning on using the rebate, I found one thing that might queer it. The fine print mentions a "cash register receipt." Not just a receipt...this rebate might be locked only to retail chains. In legalese, there's potentially a big difference between a cash register receipt and a shipping invoice. So if you're buying just on the basis that there's a rebate...you might wanna consider that you might not end up getting it.

Also, since this thread seems to have caught the attention of some SCSI-users, judging by the replies and PMs I've been getting, you can also use these discounts (sans screws) on an 18.4GB Seagate 36LP LC (68-pin) for 181.06 (not incl. eBates) here.

181.06 - 3% ebates (5.43) = 175.63 --- 33.37 less than hypermicro.com (using their free shipping promo, that is).

Keep in mind these deals are only good until midnight TONIGHT, 9/16/02. After tonight the 10% disappears but the 10 and 25 off codes remain until October 1st. Who knows, maybe Dell will follow up this promo with a 15% off...that'd be just our luck, right?

 

[cliftonite]

Mwave has the scsi version of this drive for $229.90 (OEM) and $235.45 for the retail. Link This is about what you would pay for the drive and the scsi adapter separately i guess.

 

[cliftonite]

BTW what kind of a scsi card would you need to run this drive and how much would it cost?

 

[DestruyaUR]

Originally posted by: cliftonite
BTW what kind of a scsi card would you need to run this drive and how much would it cost?

For guaranteed Windows-compatibility, I'd recommend an Adaptec 2930U (or even the low-end-of-the-ladder 2906) - but literally any card with a 50-pin internal connector will do the job rather well, even at the drive's highest speed it's not going to exceed 20MB/sec. The 2930U packs on onboard BIOS while the 2906 doesn't, yet most modern day boards have IDE/SCSI boot selection settings in the BIOS - the 2930s just enable customization. The price difference between the two is only 10 bucks (39 vs. 49) - so I'd definitely go with a 2930-series - the 20MB/sec headroom is certainly worth it, and you can still find cheap 9GB 50-pin drives around places...in addition to most SCSI tape drives using 50-pin - some newer models using 68-pin LVD.

Additionally, there was an offer on here not too long ago for an Iomega card designed for Zip or Jaz drives for 3.99. I'd definitely check on the Windows HCL (Hardware Compatibility Labs) webpage first. I'd shy away from low-end Tekrams just because they don't use LSI chips.

 

[jackwhitter]

sweet, so i have the 2200 model burner.. if i want to upgrade, i could get the ide f1 version and put the scsi adaptor on back and be fine?

 

[DestruyaUR]

Jack - yeah, you could - you just have until tonight to buy it.

 

[MSantiago]

Originally posted by: jackwhitter
sweet, so i have the 2200 model burner.. if i want to upgrade, i could get the ide f1 version and put the scsi adaptor on back and be fine?

Yup! Just one word of caution -- don't try to upgrade the firmware while it's attached to the SCSI converter. If you want to flash it, disconnect it from the SCSI chain, attach it as an EIDE device, flash, and return it to the SCSI chain. I had some trouble flashing mine until I saw that tip on the CDRInfo.com forums.

 

[DestruyaUR]

Yup! Just one word of caution -- don't try to upgrade the firmware while it's attached to the SCSI converter. If you want to flash it, disconnect it from the SCSI chain, attach it as an EIDE device, flash, and return it to the SCSI chain. I had some trouble flashing mine until I saw that tip on the CDRInfo.com forums.

I was wondering about this. PLUS, they mention on the .jp site that you have to turn off Auto Insert Notification PLUS change the drive over to PIO mode in Device/Hardware Manager before flashing.

 

[SitePromoter]

I am looking for an external usb cdr that i can also swap with a DVD Burner that i might buy this christmas any idea on whats a good deal for those.