buy now or wait?

[sykocus]

Hey everyone. I'm looking to buy a dvd burner. I've been doing some research and I want something dual standard. The Sony DWU-500a, but i also like the higher rw speed of the DR-U10a. I know NEC makes a dual standard drive also, but have never used anything made by NEC. On the other hand I've always been happen with Sony.

Are there any other good models to consider?

Also when is the next generation of higher speed burners comming out? Should I wait til then?

[burninfool]

The NEC 1300 is a bargain at $249US(if you can find one).I have a Sony DRU-500A and it has performed flawlessly,but it was overpriced.
Unless you need one right away I would wait til the end of the year as more models will be available,more competition means lower prices.

[sykocus]

i was thinking of waiting. either get a fast drive or take and advantage of the faster models driving prices down.

end of the year seems too long though. i was hoping to have one in 2-3 months.

[lightningbaron]

With Sony, you are going to pay for a price premium. I purchased the Sony DRX-500UL back in January 2003 and have been happy with it.

The NEC ND-1300A is actually not a bad buy, it can be acquired for $219 USD at mwave.com.

The review of NEC ND-1300A is over at CD-RW Central: http://www.cdrwcentral.com/modules.php? ... tent&id=61

Technology will always improve and what is new today is tomorrow's old.

If I was in your position, I honestly would go with the NEC ND-1300A.

[melsmed]

Hello,
This is my first post, even though, I have'd being a lurker of this forums for a long time.

I'm in the same predictament. I have one concern with the NEC, is any way to update the firmware?

Exept for that, I very close in buying one. Should I be concerned with that matter or just buy?

Thanks for your help.

[rvnelson]

I was seriously considering the NEC 1300A OEM drive, but after reviewing NEC's policy regarding their OEM drives, I chose not to get it.

Go here to review their policy yourself:
http://www.necsolutions-am.com/storage/support.cfm

I like to save money, but not at the expense of no support/warranty with the original manufacturer.

I just bought the TDK 440N Dual Format drive from CompUSA for $315 (I have their gamefixx that gets me 10% off), normal price $350. Also, the drive is black which matches my Antec black case.

I hope this helps.

[dhc014]

The NEC DVD Writers have pretty good third party firmware support: http://etna.rpc1.org/nec

[melsmed]

rvnelson,

You have a valid point, but is very hard to ignore the price from Mwave.

dhc014,

Those are not from NEC and the ND-1300 is not there yet. But is a option, thanks.

[dhc014]

dhc014,

Those are not from NEC and the ND-1300 is not there yet. But is a option, thanks.

Take another look

Updates will probably come through backups from newer drives, so I see what you're saying about NEC not releasing firmware updates officially.

[jase]

There are other drives available of course. Expect the Sanyo-based units from MSI/Accesstek/Optorite to become more common (and plummet in price ) soon, and there is the Pioneer A06 as well (and if you are going to be using mainly one format or the other and don't mind not having the dual format option there is always the Pioneer A05 (-R) and NEC 1100A (+R) drives which are both very cheap at the moment).

TBH if it were my money I'd be tempted towards one of the latter drives I mentioned. In the UK, the Sony drives are still running at ~£280; both the NEC and Pioneer (both 4x drives) are only £140. You could buy one of each for the same price as one Sony. Personally I think you'd be a fool to buy the Sony if the prices where you are are similar! (Imagine -- 2 for the price of 1 -- and both major Japanese brands, can't lose can you?)

[Saxtus]

What about LG 4040B. It is a good choice?
It's worth the waiting?