I have it and I love it! Has worked like a champ for me, often Imaging dump problems and burn issues are due to not doing one's homework and figuring out the specs on the disc you are copying and or the format and processnecessary to successfully copy it.
I don't mean to insult anyone if they already know this, but you can't just throw a DVD from Blockbuster in the DVD burner and have it copy it, and work. They have copywrite protections on them etc... For DVD's the freeware program "DVD Smart Ripper" is a gem. If you haven't used it it takes a little time to figure it all out but, it isn't all that difficult (It can't be because I figured it out). A good place to get it and lots of other programs to download is :
http://www.afterdawn.com
I have also known several of my friends to burn their mp3's files using programs like SonicStage, or WMP, etc. then they take the completed disk (which they tested inside their computer and it worked fine) and they put it into their DVD player that states it plays MP3's. Well it doesn't work and they blame the DVD/CD player. No. Those (crapy, IMHO) programs save files that verify on the computer you riped/burned it on that you do own the origional product and it only allows that disk to work on that computer to honor the copywrite protections (and more importantly protect them from massive lawsuits from entertainment Co's). So only use those programs if you are going to play the discs back on that computer alone. If you want more interportability, I'd definately recommend the program by the company: Ahead called "Nero Buring ROM" One of the most accurate and versitile programs out there. Another that may be useful is the program "BlindWrite" that one is a free to try out program but then asks you to register it after evaluation, same with Nero...30 days to try out full version then $49.99 to register (last I checked) If you ask me Nero is worthe the cash (I broke down and payed them.
I haven't found a DVD movie, or program that I can't successfully extract the Image fom and then burn and work yet. Sure a few times I had something along the way incorrect and it didn't extract or burn correctly the first time, but once I figured out what I had wrong (not the drives fault) it worked like a charm. I have made back-up copies (for only my own personal use of course!) of all the latest games that have come out in the last several months, no problem. And copies of the latest DVD movie hits.
I guess the last sweet thing about this drive is its ability to burn in DVD-Audio or Super VCD, or HDCD. That is an awesome feature! If you have a sound card that is up to the task you can extract music from CD's/DVD's at 24bit and 48KHz/96KHz/196KHz depending on its capacity (the sound cards) and then burn them to DVD's at those specs. I believe most CDs purchased in stores only are burned at around 48KHz. While the SVCDs and DVD-Audio are often at the 96KHz or 196KHz range. This is only a real bonus if you have a DVD or CD player or reciever/pre-amp that has high quality DACs (digital to audio converters). If your sound system that you are playing the discs in doesnt have those stats then you simply wont hear the improvement. If you do happen to have a quality Hi-Fi system (like me Arcam components and B&W speakers all the way baby!) Then the audio difference is very dramatic, people who are half deaf and can't carry a tune can hear and appreciate the difference immediately. Those who approach audiophile level will have to have it. If you haven't checked out the price of the latest DVD-Audio/HDCD/SVCD/DTS discs yet, they are quite a bit more expensive than a plain old CD. So having one of these can be a cost saver if you listen to a lot of music in those formats at those specs (umm...doh but I'm not sure how....hehehe...cuz I personally only ever make back-up copies of the discs I have legally purchased ~
Both of those above programs and lots more are available at
www.afterdawn.com if you don't already have them. Hope this helped, and feel free to ask me more questions if you have any.
-Andarta
Edit: Oh! I wanted to just throw in my personal experience is that TDK CDs and DVDs are simply vastly superior to anyother brand of media I've tried yet. I now have given up even considering anyone elses discs no matter their deal or cost. I have never ever had any TDK disc throw out a write error and leave me with a dumb piece of silver plastic that doesn't even function well as a drink coaster. Every othe brand of media I have purchased from other companies has had some "coaster" disc problems. That sure makes them not so cheap when you figure out of 100 discs ever 5 you have to throw away. Plus if you time is of any value, it sure stinks to wait an hour or so to copy a DVD and then have it turn out to be ruined. Just my two cents.
Edit II Note: I omitted the "K" when referring to Sampeling rates and DACs etc. I origionally typed Hz but of course you would have known I really ment KHz right? -A