Anybody have any luck finding a DRX500-ULX

[zerogravity22]

Been having some trouble locating these at any best buy store in my area... They have the DRU500-UL's but no ULX's.. Anybody found these new models in any local retail stores? I live on the east coast btw (northern NJ)... Online stores are out of them too, except sony direct.. Read some reviews by customers on ordering directly from them and have gotten some pretty negative reviews so I'm trying to avoid buying from them... Buy.com had em for 394.00 but were all out... anybody else having the same trouble trying to find these drives?

[Rpbertxyz]

There really isn't any difference between the 2 drives, except the newer one has the updated firmware already loaded. I have the 500AX and everywhere on the computer and any software sees it as a 500A.

[BuddhaTB]

Not too many retail stores stock the DRU-500ULX. Also, I checked a few online retailers and a few of them didn't even carry the Sony external model, they only had the DRU-500AX. If your in desperate need of an external DVD writer, I would suggest getting a Sony DRU-500A and placing it in an external USB2.0/Firewire enclosure. An external enclosure can be found for around $50.

[glock20rocks]

Saw one at the local Best Buy...wanted an internal, though, so got an IndiDVD instead...

[arklab]

I'm still looking for the DRX500ULX, too.

However, Im really begining to wonder if the DRX500UL might not be the better idea, esp. since it looks like they are on their way OUT, never to be seen again.

Since the externals just aren't available (at least the new ones), I guess we just have to judge for the differences in the internal drives.
With these I do have some experience - two 500A's (returned) and currently a 500AX.

Difference #1 - I encountered ATAPI recognition problems with the 500A's and a Chaintech mobo with WinXP Pro which are not present in the 500AX. Point to 500AX

Difference #2 - The 500A's were made in Japan, the 500AX made in Malaysia. Point to 500A

Difference #3 - The 500A's must use 1.x series firmware, while the 500AX's use 2.x series firmware. Although they appear to give the drives the same capability right now, this raises a red flag as to future support for the 500A. Point to 500AX

So, which is a "better drive"?

I still don't know, but couldn't somebody who runs a review site get both, take 'em apart, and FIND OUT???

Please?

[BuddhaTB]

Difference #2 - The 500A's were made in Japan, the 500AX made in Malaysia. Point to 500A

The Sony DRU-500A is now made in Malaysia. I believe Sony switched production plants in December or January.

[zerogravity22]

Anybody here own the older sony model (DRX500-UL) and have any positive comments on it? Fact is that I'd have many uses to an external dvd drive, I own a main desktop, and two laptops and for backup purposes, it would help a great deal since my two laptops aren't equipped with backup drives. I haven't seen any stores here that carry that DRX500ULX but I was just wondering what some of your takes are on that drive? Thx

[vdepina]

well i bought one DRX500UL on November 2002 i believe to be the first one out there to buy it, from NeutronUSA, had no problem with it, I burned DVD with DVDXcopy fine, but I just sold it, I allready ordered a new one DRX500ULX from MicroPro.com, tis good for backup but u need a program like EZCD creator 6 will do good job for you, i have EZCD creator 6, its good program just came out 02/17/03

any question let me know

virgil

[jaimsite]

anybody know if any online retailer ships these drives to the Philippines?

thanks in advance

[Dartman]

You could try outpost.com. I believe they are part of Frys now and that's where I got my 500a. They had a bunch of both types but no x models yet when I bought mine.