I'm down to selecting four DVD+-RW Drives

[rvnelson]

I'm debating between these drives:

Sony DRU510A about $340 retail
TDK IndiDVD AID+440 about $290 retail
Sony DRU500A(X) about $280 retail
CenDyne CDICD00208 (rebadge NEC 1300A) about $240 retail

As far as I can tell, the Sony 510A offers two features over the TDK, the 500A(X) and CenDyne, but at a savings of $50/$60/$100 respectively, it's hard to decide.

I'm only interested in the DVD+- functions of the drives.
That said, I wondering which one others would recommend.

1) Sony 510A offers 4x on +RW, 2.4x on the TDK, the 500A and CenDyne (that's what, 30 minutes per +RW saved - not really a big deal)

2) This is the big one. Both Sony's offers 8mb buffer, CenDyne's only 2mb. Should this be a serious consideration for me? I know the Sony has buffer-underrun, does the CenDyne? And if so, does the buffer size really matter?

3) The CenDyne appears to be the only one with limited write modes (DAO, Incremental only). There's no other modes listed (ie. Multisession (DVD+R), Sequential, Random Access (DVD+RW), etc). Should I stay away from this drive?

4) Finally, a black bezel is the goal (my case is black).

Thanks for your time in reading this.

[xmark]

Newegg.com has the new NEC ND1300 dual-format burner for $199.00 plus $5.00 FedEx Saver shipping.

Nuff said.

[Noua]

Hi there, I’m having the same problem. I’ve wanted to buy a DVD recorder for 6 months now, but since Sony launched the DRU with the multiple format my doubts to go +rw or –rw have ended. I’m definitely getting the multiformat drive. Until a few months we didn’t had any choice beside the Sony drive. Nowadays things have changed and I’ve updated my info on multiple format drives almost everyday.
So far we have several drives and the question is witch one is better? I’m tempted to go to the Sony but I would like to express my opinion on some matters.
These drives have the capability to burn on CD. Well I’m a fanatic for quality, after a really bad experience with my HP CDWriter 8100. We know that dvd writers have the capability to burn on CDs at fast speeds but a good CD recorder is a good CD recorder (for me at least) and no DVD writer will replace the capacity of a good cd writer (at least for now). So, for me, no more HP products and when it comes to CD R/RW Plextor is the top. That’s why on December I bought my new CD recorder drive, the plextor 48x24x48x. I must say that I paid a little more than the other brands but so fare I have recorded more than 200 CD’s and haven’t had a failure. Besides, the Plextor drives offers a lot of features and with the firmware updates small issues have been improved. So, for me, when it comes to get the DVD burner I’ll try to have the same thoughts. Quality above all. Now in the forum I’ve read that some people had problems with the Sony, especially when it comes to the drive recognize the correct writing speeds on the DVD +-R (it seems that some people just can’t write at 4x on 4x media). Maybe with continuous firmware updates this issue will be improved. When it comes to the 8 mg of memory buffer, I’ve read a post where there was this guy that had 2 drives (Sony and Lite On) with 8 and 2 mg and the behaviour was identically. You almost didn’t notice the difference.
I’ve also read hat some brands are going to release new drives during the summer and that 8x speeds are coming pretty soon (end of summer) so you should expect a price droop, on current drives, real soon.
I don’t know if this opinion helps you on anything but maybe more people can help us on the choice of a good dvd writer.

[Noua]

Hi there, I’m having the same problem. I’ve wanted to buy a DVD recorder for 6 months now, but since Sony launched the DRU with the multiple format my doubts to go +rw or –rw have ended. I’m definitely getting the multiformat drive. Until a few months we didn’t had any choice beside the Sony drive. Nowadays things have changed and I’ve updated my info on multiple format drives almost everyday.
So far we have several drives and the question is witch one is better? I’m tempted to go to the Sony but I would like to express my opinion on some matters.
These drives have the capability to burn on CD. Well I’m a fanatic for quality, after a really bad experience with my HP CDWriter 8100. We know that dvd writers have the capability to burn on CDs at fast speeds but a good CD recorder is a good CD recorder (for me at least) and no DVD writer will replace the capacity of a good cd writer (at least for now). So, for me, no more HP products and when it comes to CD R/RW Plextor is the top. That’s why on December I bought my new CD recorder drive, the plextor 48x24x48x. I must say that I paid a little more than the other brands but so fare I have recorded more than 200 CD’s and haven’t had a failure. Besides, the Plextor drives offers a lot of features and with the firmware updates small issues have been improved. So, for me, when it comes to get the DVD burner I’ll try to have the same thoughts. Quality above all. Now in the forum I’ve read that some people had problems with the Sony, especially when it comes to the drive recognize the correct writing speeds on the DVD +-R (it seems that some people just can’t write at 4x on 4x media). Maybe with continuous firmware updates this issue will be improved. When it comes to the 8 mg of memory buffer, I’ve read a post where there was this guy that had 2 drives (Sony and Lite On) with 8 and 2 mg and the behaviour was identically. You almost didn’t notice the difference.
I’ve also read hat some brands are going to release new drives during the summer and that 8x speeds are coming pretty soon (end of summer) so you should expect a price droop, on current drives, real soon.
I don’t know if this opinion helps you on anything but maybe more people can help us on the choice of a good dvd writer.

[Ian]

The TDK and CenDyne are essentially the same drive. Both are based on the NEC ND-1300A. Given, the TDK has gotten a face lift, but the specs are the same.

[MonteLDS]

one thing 4x +RW is really nice and if their is an update to make it -RW to be 4x i would not be surprised! but have fun lookin for 4x +RW

[VEFF]

Newegg.com has the new NEC ND1300 dual-format burner for $199.00 plus $5.00 FedEx Saver shipping.

Nuff said.

Not anymore.
They jacked it up to $249 very quickly (within a day or so).
Probably a price mistake or became a very hot seller quickly due to the major Hot Deals site that posted the deal.

I just ordered a NEC ND 1100A 4X DVD+RW drive (CenDyne) for
$110 + tax AR, so I now have dual burning capability on both my desktop PCs, thanks to three hot deals on three burners (Sony DRU-500A, Pioneer A05 and NEC ND1100A).
All three for less than the a single 2.4X Philips +RW drive that I returned 15 months ago when I found out that it wouldn't burn +R.

Otherwise I would have bought the 1300A for $199 at newegg (if it was in stock when I saw the hot deal posted)...

[RichieZ]

Newegg.com has the new NEC ND1300 dual-format burner for $199.00 plus $5.00 FedEx Saver shipping.

Nuff said.

Not anymore.
They jacked it up to $249 very quickly (within a day or so).
Probably a price mistake or became a very hot seller quickly due to the major Hot Deals site that posted the deal.

I just ordered a NEC ND 1100A 4X DVD+RW drive (CenDyne) for
$110 + tax AR, so I now have dual burning capability on both my desktop PCs, thanks to three hot deals on three burners (Sony DRU-500A, Pioneer A05 and NEC ND1100A).
All three for less than the a single 2.4X Philips +RW drive that I returned 15 months ago when I found out that it wouldn't burn +R.

Otherwise I would have bought the 1300A for $199 at newegg (if it was in stock when I saw the hot deal posted)...

It was never for sale at $199, I was looking at it waiting for it to come in stock.

price on this drive went from $200 (NO ETA) to $220 (ETA: 5/27) to now $250.

If you still want it, get it for $230 shipped at Mwave. I think now I'm going to wait for the A06 and 510, and then get a new drive, just sold my 104

[VEFF]

edit

[UALOneKPlus]

Damn, you're the master!

Do you prefer +r or -r? What software do you use to copy encrypted as well as non-encrypted DVD's?

Newegg.com has the new NEC ND1300 dual-format burner for $199.00 plus $5.00 FedEx Saver shipping.

Nuff said.

Not anymore.
They jacked it up to $249 very quickly (within a day or so).
Probably a price mistake or became a very hot seller quickly due to the major Hot Deals site that posted the deal.

I just ordered a NEC ND 1100A 4X DVD+RW drive (CenDyne) for
$110 + tax AR, so I now have dual burning capability on both my desktop PCs, thanks to three hot deals on three burners (Sony DRU-500A, Pioneer A05 and NEC ND1100A).
All three for less than the a single 2.4X Philips +RW drive that I returned 15 months ago when I found out that it wouldn't burn +R.

Otherwise I would have bought the 1300A for $199 at newegg (if it was in stock when I saw the hot deal posted)...

It was never for sale at $199, I was looking at it waiting for it to come in stock.

price on this drive went from $200 (NO ETA) to $220 (ETA: 5/27) to now $250.

If you still want it, get it for $230 shipped at Mwave. I think now I'm going to wait for the A06 and 510, and then get a new drive, just sold my 104

Thanks for clearing it up.

I am not sure if you were referring to the original poster in your last paragraph.
I personally don't want or need it:
I have a DRU-500A in one PC, and an A05 in the other.
When my ND-1100A arrives next week, I will put it in the PC that houses the A05. This way I will effectively have dual burning on both PCs.

[VEFF]

Damn, you're the master!

Do you prefer +r or -r? What software do you use to copy encrypted as well as non-encrypted DVD's?

Newegg.com has the new NEC ND1300 dual-format burner for $199.00 plus $5.00 FedEx Saver shipping.

Nuff said.

Not anymore.
They jacked it up to $249 very quickly (within a day or so).
Probably a price mistake or became a very hot seller quickly due to the major Hot Deals site that posted the deal.

I just ordered a NEC ND 1100A 4X DVD+RW drive (CenDyne) for
$110 + tax AR, so I now have dual burning capability on both my desktop PCs, thanks to three hot deals on three burners (Sony DRU-500A, Pioneer A05 and NEC ND1100A).
All three for less than the a single 2.4X Philips +RW drive that I returned 15 months ago when I found out that it wouldn't burn +R.

Otherwise I would have bought the 1300A for $199 at newegg (if it was in stock when I saw the hot deal posted)...

It was never for sale at $199, I was looking at it waiting for it to come in stock.

price on this drive went from $200 (NO ETA) to $220 (ETA: 5/27) to now $250.

If you still want it, get it for $230 shipped at Mwave. I think now I'm going to wait for the A06 and 510, and then get a new drive, just sold my 104

Thanks for clearing it up.

I am not sure if you were referring to the original poster in your last paragraph.
I personally don't want or need it:
I have a DRU-500A in one PC, and an A05 in the other.
When my ND-1100A arrives next week, I will put it in the PC that houses the A05. This way I will effectively have dual burning on both PCs.

LOL (about being called the master)

I don't have a BIG preference. I honestly have been going by which brand name (Fuji, Verbatim, TDK, Maxell, HP, Philips) media type
(-R vs +R) has had the better prices at any given point in time, but it seems +R is getting more popular.
Try finding name brand 4X DVD-R at BB e.g.

Compatiblity is not too much of a factor:
My home standalone DVD players - two non progressive (Apex AD-703 and Toshiba SD-4109X) and progressive scan Sony NS-715P - all three play DVD-R.
Two of the three play DVD+R (Apex and Sony).
Compatiblity issues will go away, since newer models increasingly support both formats.
In addition, with progressive scan name brand (new Panasonic and new Philips models) DVD players suddenly being available for only $88 shipped without rebates, it will be easy to ensure your collection can be played on your hme player.

If are planning on getting a single format drive, I think you might be safer with DVD+RW, but that is just my humble opinion.

I heard that PS2 has issues with one of the two types, but that it will addressed in the new version.
The Xbox plays both -R and +R.

Regarding backing up your encrypted DVDs, you are better off going to specialized forums on the web, since I mainly burn data files and home videos from my brother's MiniDV camcorder to DVD media.

I can tell you that I burn home videos to DVD using RecordNow Max 4.5, which works great for both -R and +R.

Hope this helps!

[KenAF]

Has anyone seen a black bezel available for the latest generation drives?

[BoGMan1a]

The TDK has a nice shiny black bezel! I can't find an image to post, but rest assured that it has a slick looking bezel on it that is black in color .