SONY DRU-700A

[redbaron]

Picked up my new SONY DRU-700A Double-layer DVD Burner today, and only found out when I got it home that it doesn't support Win ME! I would prefer to keep running ME (my system is very stable) and not go to the expense of upgrading to XP (most of my software is circa 2000 and will probably have to be replaced to run XP).
According to reviews that I have read here, the Lite-On LDW-812S has basically the same innards as the SONY, so how come the Lite-on will run on ME and the SONY will not? Is it just a case of waiting for SONY to create a ME Patch, or should I sell the SONY and wait for a ME compatible Double-layer to be released by Benq or Lite-on.
Thanks for any opinions on the subject.
RB

 

[Ichinisan]

1. Have you confirmed that it doesn't support WinME (by trying it)?
2. Why are you using WinME?

With a Dual-Layer drive, you will surely be doing some DVD backup/reauthoring. You will definitely want an operating system/file system that supports 9+GB files. Go with Win2K or XP -fo sho

 

[ponyo]

That's strange. If you can't somehow get that Sony burner to work using ME, consider taking it back and getting NEC 2510A dual layer burner for under $100 at Newegg.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Hold on just a sec. I have a problem with the drive itself being incompatible with ME. Does anyone else?

I can understand that some of the software may not work with ME, but that drive should work with ME with other software. I'm really wondering if the supposed incompatibility is related to filesystem (FAT32) capabilities in dealing with +4GB files or something like that.

-SUO

 

[Ichinisan]

Originally posted by: SUOrangeman
Hold on just a sec. I have a problem with the drive itself being incompatible with ME. Does anyone else?

I can understand that some of the software may not work with ME, but that drive should work with ME with other software. I'm really wondering if the supposed incompatibility is related to filesystem (FAT32) capabilities in dealing with +4GB files or something like that.

-SUO

Exactly. This is why I asked him if he actually *tried* it with WinME. This probably has something to do with a DVD Mastering/imaging program...

 

[redbaron]

No I haven't tried it on ME, I'm just referring to all the documentation that came with the Burner which states that it is only compatible with Windows 2000 and Windows XP, no mention of 98 or ME.
I have held off updating to XP because I had no problems with ME, but I suppose I now have an excuse to do the upgrade.

 

[Nickel020]

Sorry to hijack your thread but what does the black bezel look like? I can't find pics of it anywhere on the net. I like the way the burner looks with the white bezel, but I would like to know what's black when using the black bezel (i.e. only the frame or also the tray on which you put the CD?).
Thanks a lot.
PS: The drive is not for my system, it's for my brothers black case.

 

[redbaron]

When you replace the Front Panel you are replacing both the cover of the Tray and the Front Panel with Black replacement Panels, and you end up with a completely Black DVD Writer. Unlike the White Tray Panel which sits out from the Front Panel, the Black Tray Panel sits flush, much like the standard SONY CD/DVD Writers.
I should also add that for some reason I had a hard time removing the Cover that was on the front of the Tray. I followed the instructions that SONY supplied, but I still found the whole procedure tricky and I was concerned that I would break the plastic Tray. The instructions state to use only your fingers, but in the end I used a small pair of pliers to carefully prise off the panel.

 

[mud]

I just ordered this drive as well. Anyone know what movie dvd backup software is compatible with this drive? Something like the 321 studios DVD-X-Copy.

 

[Ichinisan]

DVD Decrypter + Nero or DVD Shrink + Nero

DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink are both free...and awesome.

If you have DL media, DVD Shrink is not really necessary.