Pioneer DVR-A05 or Sony DRU-500A??

[seezar]

Well, I figure its time to me to dive into the world writeable DVDs. The Sony looks like the unit to get but I'm a little concerned about compatibility with media. I see that the new firmware update resolves some of those issues. I think I definately want the ability to do DVD-R because I plan to convert videos to play on some stand alone DVD players and as I understand it, DVD-R is a little more compatible than DVD+R. I also am going to be using the drive for archiving data for the PC also.

Anyway, the Sony looks great cause you get all 4 formats, but I'm wondering if the Pioneer would be better as far as more compatibility with media. I understand the Sony could improve with firmware updates but I read something in the Pioneer reveiw over at cdrinfo.com that got me a little worried, it was stated in the Pioneer DVR-A05 review that says:

"Several users have reported DRU-500A's DVD-R media compatibility problems and indrustry rumours said that a new hardware is needed to eliminate them. Pioneer followed a rather strict media compatibility for the 4X DVD-R speed, that however ensures safe recording... "

It is on this page of the review: http://cdrinfo.com/Sections/Articles/Sp ... 0&index=10


Anyway, thoughts on this? I'd really love to go with the Sony to have the compatibility of more formats but I dont want to lose out on compatibility of media.

[sonyman]

The Sony offers all the features of the A05, with the addition of 24X CD recording, 4X DVD+R recording*, and 2.4X DVD+RW recording. As far as compatibility is concerned, with the new 1.0d firmware even the cheapest label-less media can be burned coaster-free. Unless price is an issue, go with the DRU-500a.

*4X DVD+R recording will be availible with firmware revision 1.0e, which will be released on or before December 17th.

-Scott

[boblx2]

I have a Sony DRu-500A and an A05. If I had it to do again I would get two Sony's. I am thinking of returning the A05 because I cannot get much service from it. Most software, including Stomp RecordNow Max 4.50 works only marginally if at all. I have burned more coasters with that A05 then I have burned with all of my other drives put together!


Hope this helps make your decision.

[VEFF]

The Sony has all the key features of the A05.
In addition, it burns CD-R faster (I don't use it for that, but it is still a benefit for others) and it also burns to DVD+R/+RW, which the A05 can't.

To be honest, I usually use DVD-R media, so the A05 would have satisfied that requirement, but it doesn't hurt to have DVD+R capability, especially given that my DRU-500A was so cheap, thanks to Dell...

[machoboy6]

i keep on hearing people getting the dru500a from dell for dirt cheap. did you pre-ordered it or was it a mistake from dell that they fixed already? i went to their site and theyre selling it for 337.95.

[seezar]

Well, this past Sunday I picked up the Sony drive. Only had it a couple of days, but I'm pretty happy with it so far

[seezar]

machoboy6,
It was a deal that has since passed.

[Kennyshin]

I visited a friend's with a Pioneer DVR-A05. He had some Princo 1x and JVC 2x DVD-R media. I played some video files recorded on the Princo disc with LG 16x DVD-ROM drive. Instantly recognized and played smoothly. I copied a file from the disc to HDD. Very slow. The Princo 1x in jewel case now costs 2,500 won in Seoul so I guess I can also soon have the bulk disks for nearly US$1 without having to ordering them from Japan or US or Taiwan. The Princo 1x media looked quite alright and almost pretty.

[gill_bates]

Just got the Sony DRU-500a.
First Burn of DVD Movie = Success
First Copy of an XBox Game using Nero 5.5.9.17 = Success .
Its a sweet little Drive.
I would have preferred if it was a slot loading mechanism, rather than a cumbersome tray, but that is just a small complaint.

[dmbfan36_23]

Just got the Sony DRU-500a.
First Burn of DVD Movie = Success
First Copy of an XBox Game using Nero 5.5.9.17 = Success .

What type of media did you use for movies and xbox? +/-? Brand?

[seezar]

Just got the Sony DRU-500a.
First Burn of DVD Movie = Success
First Copy of an XBox Game using Nero 5.5.9.17 = Success .

So have you burned a DVD Movie with Nero and did it play successfully on the XBox?? That is where the problem is occuring.

[Heretic]

Just one question
Can the Pioneer DVR-A05 do this?


http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php ... adid=58698

[boblx2]

Heretic, as my above post indicates I have both drives. My Sony is a workhorse, I get very little work out of the A05. Mostly coasters! I have learned that if I use name brand discs that I buy from the store and use 1X discs it usually works. But no funny stuff! I have to burn .iso files from DVD D or from Nero on name brand 1X discs. Then it usually works. But the Sony seems to work no matter what disc or software I use. I have nothing but praise for that drive.

Hope this helps...........

[als]

I have the pioneer DVR-105 & am very happy with it. Solidly built-I have used Easycd 5.32 & Nero no problem. Also dvd decrypter to make iso then burn successfully. Only have 2x media (no name) that works fine in standalone players & computer. Can't wait to get 4x media. I have heard people complain about media compatabilty for sony, I wanted to avoid that. Another note: the 1x to 4x media on ebay from Judysdeals is a lie. I got some & it only burns 1x speed! Not even 2x-it is false advertising. Even tho it looks the same as my other 2x media, the machine says it is only 1x-I don't know if a firmware upgrade will fix this, I daught it. I don't like how sony products are built-seem cheap. But more reviews of both will tell more soon.