Confused about new firmware (2.0e) for DRU-500A(X); DVD+R 4X

[VEFF]

I don't have any 4X blank DVD+Rs to test (only HP 2.4X and Maxell 2.4X), but I know that one of the 1.0 firmwares last Decemeber already (supposedly) allowed 4X DVD+R burning.

Why is it mentioned in the 2.0e release notes?
Am I missing something? Is it something of the of the "new" X suffix models?

[Ian]

Maybe it supports more 4x DVD+R media.

[Shaman]

Ian: Do you have any information as to when the DRX500ULX will be available? I've been waiting for nearly 2 months. Any delivery date insight? Thanks in advance for any information you may have.

[Justin42]

My guess is that, since the 'original' models only had 2.4X writing, they want to keep that as a feature-- so when people check for new firmware, they see that is an option. If it ever went away, new buyers (or people who never thought to upgrade their firmware) may not know of that HUGE improvement. (being serious!

Anyone else think it's weird that suddenly the firmware is all 'unified'? Throws a bit of a monkey wrench in some of the theories as to the difference, although the files do seem larger (I wonder if it's 2 slightly different firmwares that get loaded depending on if you have an "X" model or not?).

Strange. I wish Sony would just own up to what's going on, but I'm sure that'll never happen. All I know is my DRU500A works great, as does my dad's.

[VEFF]

Ian and Justin42,

You both make good points that could be possible reasons.

I'll try it out tonight, if I feel up to it - I got a cold from my girlfriend and it is just starting to hit me.

[Ian]

Ian: Do you have any information as to when the DRX500ULX will be available? I've been waiting for nearly 2 months. Any delivery date insight? Thanks in advance for any information you may have.

No idea. It looks like they're out of stock all over:

http://cdrlabs.pricegrabber.com/search_ ... rid=687415

[Justin42]

Ian: Do you have any information as to when the DRX500ULX will be available? I've been waiting for nearly 2 months. Any delivery date insight? Thanks in advance for any information you may have.

Looks like CompUSA may have them-- 1 store locally shows as having 'limited quantities' (usually means 1 or 2), and availablility online shows as '48 hours', not 'Call'.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=300264&pfp=BROWSE

[Shaman]

Everyone who replied, thank you.

[zerogravity22]

I bought my DRX500ULX about a week and a half ago at Best Buy in response to your question.... They had like 3 DRX500ULX's in stock and a whole bunch of DRX500UL's... try the bestbuy website on ordering.. I'm pretty sure they have it there...

[Shaman]

I bought my DRX500ULX about a week and a half ago at Best Buy in response to your question.... They had like 3 DRX500ULX's in stock and a whole bunch of DRX500UL's... try the bestbuy website on ordering.. I'm pretty sure they have it there...

Thank you zerogravity22. Checked the website at Bestbuy. DRX500ULX is on order 5-7 days with "limited availability" in store.

[MonteLDS]

at my local Frys their were like 8 of the DRX500UL (or maybe they were X)

and i swear i saw a DRU-500AX box saying 2.4x for DVD+R media and that got me confussed