Sony DRU-500

[robo03]

I must admit I am computer illiterate, although I learn quick and have an appetite for learning what I do not know. To cut to the chase, I am looking for a product that will allow me to effectively transfer movies from my camcorder to a DVD format. I purchased the Sony DVP-NS715P DVD player for this purpose. I have yet to purchase a writable DVD drive for my PC. I am reading reviews about the new Sony DRU-500A and was wondering if, by anyone's informed opinion, it would suit my needs. Again, I am looking to transfer over movies from my camcorder to a DVD format and occassionally copy a DVD movie. Any help would be appreciated...

[Solr_Flare]

I personally love my DRU500 drive and use it all the time so I certainly give it a thumbs up.

But, that said, I recommend the following for you:

1) If you want the multiformat drive, hold out a few more weeks until the newer "X" models of the DRU500 line come out. So far it looks like it may only be a firmware update pre-installed as well as updated software on disc instead of having to download. But, it may contain some improvements in the hardware itself that we ar eunaware of as of yet. Either way, its probably worth waiting and seeing.

2) If you don't feel you need a combo drive to burn your DVDs and instead are only interested in burning stuff for your DVD player, check out www.vcdhelp.com and they should list what format blank DVD media will play in your DVD player. Once you know what it can play, you can look at single format drives(ie only burns DVD-R or DVD+R) and pick up a good one for about $50 to $100 less than the DRU line. If oyou don't need the multiformat, this may be a cheaper route to go that will still work fine for you.

Anyway, I love my DRU drive but I'd at least hold out until the "X" models hit the market in a couple of weeks just in case before I'd make a purchase.

[boblx2]

Robo03, I too transfer Camcorder and VHS, Beta tapes onto DVD. I don't have a digital camcorder however. I have to use a decoder and capture card. The capture card, which you will need in any case, that I use is the ATI all in wonder board. I play the tape signal into the ATI board which captures the data and converts it to a .mpeg2 file. It then has to be processed into a DVD by a variety of programs. I would like to tell you that this is a one step process but I have bad news for you, it takes many steops for it to beome a DVD. Too many for this forum if you need detailed information pm me and I can detail it for you.

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

[beowulf]

It will suit your needs. But I would definitely wait to see reviews of the new Plextor DVD Writer. Wouldn't be suprised it it beats the Sony in many aspects, and probably for less money.

[Implicit]

I'd like to see some reviews too... but they will probably just be the same as the ND-1100A reviews.

[VEFF]

I own both the DRU-500A burner (have owned it since last October) and the NS715P player (just got the player this past weekend).

I am very happy with both products. They do everything I need them to, and do it all extremely well.

They both support the two competing (for now at least) DVD standards (DVD+R/DVD+RW and DVD-R/DVD-RW), so you have nothing to worry about, for the time being at least (till something like Blu-Ray comes out).

It is nice to be able to buy whatever type (- or +) name brand DVD media is more readily available at any given point in time, or most reasonably-priced.

Good luck!