Is this a good buy DRU-500AX

[ted]

Im ready to buy a dvd burner.
Its seems that lots of people favor the Sony DRU-500AX
I would like to know if anybody found a better price than $219.00 for this drive. This seems to be the best I can find.
Thanks for your help.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/alphapcstor ... xdvdv.html

[aviationwiz]

$220 for a DRU-500AX is a very good deal.

[Ian]

If they send you an OEM, it won't be identified as a DRU-500A or look like one. It will probably be a DW-U10A or DW-U12A.

[Dartman]

You'll have to get the hacked firmware or flasher to make it into a 500a.
Sony doesn't support the drive and doesn't release new firmware for it directly so you use it as is or update it to the 500 it should be and lose your warranty if it dies and you can't flash it back.
BUT that's still a good deal if hacking it doesn't bother you and you know what they're trying to pull. A freind picked one up for a similar deal and upgraded it, he says it works just fine and now will take the 500 firmware no problems.

[CowboySlim]

No, too dicey.

I checked that website. No toll free number. If you have trouble, it's your nickel. No consumer satisfaction ratings shown. I checked www.resellerratings.com, not listed.

If it's too good to be true - it isn't.

Save money by getting a drive that is DVD+R and DVD+RW without DVD-R and DVD-RW. They are obsolescent and why pay extra for that in a combo drive. Forget OEM, go retail box with a brand that supports with firmware updates. I don't know who these are but others here will.

Once you pick out the brand and model number, check www.pricegrabber.com. Buy the from the cheapest supplier with a rating of 8 (out of 10) or better.

Good luck,

[Bhairav]

Or better than that, go to http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.a ... 14&order=1 and for 225$ you can get an OEM version of the DRU500A. At least you won't get stiffed by Newegg!