(Dead) Cendyne DVD-R/RW 4X Drive (Pioneer) "$149.98" AR & coupon at Staples (Ends Sat.2-1)

[DanFungus]

Originally posted by: zjenny18
whats the best program to use on this cendyne dvd writer for burning home made dvds?

for burning them, i'm just using the nero that came with it...it works fine

 

[Jugernot]

Can someone fill me in on the Pioneer 105 drives? Picked on up today and had a hell of a time getting to burn a DVD-R disc... turns out something was weird with the files that DVD2ONE output and it wasn't allowing them to work. So I redid the process and it worked this time, but it's taking 57 minutes to burn the disc at 1x. These are $2 KHypermedia DVDR discs I picked up today at Officemax. I'm guessing this drive won't let you burn faster that a disc allows? I'm so used to CDRW drives in which you can burn any disc at the rate your specify. It might work, it might not... but it allows you to specify. I can see the 105 being useful in not burning cheapo discs at 4x or something, but waiting 57 minutes for a disc is unbareable. Especially since I'm still wondering if it'll work in my Toshiba DVD k615 player.

I've read a lot in this thread about firmware for this drive and allowing it to burn discs faster than normal. Can someone point me to where I can get these?

Thanks guys!

 

[DogFromDuckhunt]

Your A05 already has the necessary firmware ... you just need to buy faster media. From what I've found no retail store I've gone to sells 4x DVD-R's, fastest I've found is 2.1x Verbatims. Everything else is 1x ... and no, I don't think it'll let you burn faster than what the media is rated.

 

[DrVos]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
Anyone try one of these in a USB2 Ext. case? I was thinking about trying it with mine... I've already got two drives in my machines that I'd like to keep, 16x Lite On DVDROM and a 32x CDRW. I know the 105 does CDRW, but I'd like to keep it for reading CDs.

Anyone have a bad experience with USB 2.0 and burning discs? I've never really used the USB 2.0 in my system. I've got a Dell DIm. 4500 2.26GHz P4, 2.26GHz, Intel 845E chipset, 1 gig of PC2700 DDR, 100gigs of free space. I can get a USB 2 external case in town for like $54. THink it's worth it?

I've got mine running happily in a USB2 enclosure: runs like a champ! Burned a couple DVD-RW's just fine.

 

[Jugernot]

whats the best program to use on this cendyne dvd writer for burning home made dvds?

Best way to "backup" DVDs is the following (at least what I've found):

DVD Decryptor - to get the Ecrypted data off the DVD and on your hard drive.
DVD2One - Compressed movie down to fit one DVD-R/RW disc, removes everything else accept movie, no menus, trailers, etc.
Stomp RecordNow MAX - Burn the newly created files from DVD2One to DVD-R/RW disc. Ready to play in a standalone player or DVDROM.

A simple 3 steps process... or I should say, three program process. The longest part of all of this is the burning process, which takes anywhere from an hour to a half hour depending on your media.

By the way, are there any disadvantages to using DVD-RW discs versus DVD-R discs for data or DVD movies? My DVD player supports both and I've found that DVD-RW discs are only a fraction more (a matter of 20¢ in most cases). To me that seems like it's worth it....

 

[hcarlson]

Hey guys when I bought mine the the guy at Staples said that it specifically couldn't copy DVD movies because "it has some mechanism inside that won't let you" Any truth to that? I think he was full of BS but he said people were brining them back because they couldn't copy movies with it. I just think they didn't know what they were doing and probably thought they could just copy DVDs without some special program. Anyways, anyone buying this don't forgot to update the firmware to 1.21!

http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e/dev00001r_e.html

 

[chrisjor]

For anyone one interested in putting it in an external case.....

I have the HP200i (+R/RW) and I mounted it in an external USB2 case. When I plugged the drive in, WinXP recognized it properly. When I installed the MyDVD software that came with it I was unable to find the drive. I popped open the full version of Nero I have on my PC and was able to burn with no problem. I went to HP.Com and ordered the Disc (free) that is usually packed with the external version (200e) and received it 2 days later. I installed it and it worked fine.

SO........if you install an internal drive in an external case.....and you have trouble, it may be because the software shipped with it was modified to only deal specifically with that drive installed as it was intended. Find software other than what came with it and try to use that. I have one of these drives also, when my firewire/USB2 case I am ordering comes in I will be putting this drive in an external case also. (BTW, I love the drive being installed in the external case!!!!)

 

[xxerxess]

ATers in Boston:

I was just at 25 Court St Staples (near Government Center T Stop) and noted that they still have one of these in their case. I already got one (no problem using $30 of $150 coupon), but I would not want this one to go unpurchased!

-w

 

[Sept1967]

That's not accurate.

The Imation 5-Pack I bought from OfficeDepot burn at 2X.

And the Memorex 5-pack I bought from CompUSA burn at 2x.




You run into problems trying to use cheap generic unbranded media, which burns at 1x (but still works).

So if you go cheap, you may spend 1 hour, not 30 mins or less burning a DVD.

 

[Sept1967]

The guy at Staples was correct. You cannot just use Nero to copy a DVD to DVD like you can with CDROM disks. The data is encrypted on a DVD disk. So you could not just copy the data.

You have to use a decrypter (aka Smart Ripper, ect.) to take out the decryption. Then you have raw data you can work with.

So you can, it just takes work (that the Staples guy wasnt going to promote in a retail store).

Originally posted by: hcarlson
Hey guys when I bought mine the the guy at Staples said that it specifically couldn't copy DVD movies because "it has some mechanism inside that won't let you" Any truth to that? I think he was full of BS but he said people were brining them back because they couldn't copy movies with it. I just think they didn't know what they were doing and probably thought they could just copy DVDs without some special program. Anyways, anyone buying this don't forgot to update the firmware to 1.21!

http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e/dev00001r_e.html

 

[cbloss]

Originally posted by: hcarlson
Hey guys when I bought mine the the guy at Staples said that it specifically couldn't copy DVD movies because "it has some mechanism inside that won't let you" Any truth to that? I think he was full of BS but he said people were brining them back because they couldn't copy movies with it. I just think they didn't know what they were doing and probably thought they could just copy DVDs without some special program. Anyways, anyone buying this don't forgot to update the firmware to 1.21!

http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e/dev00001r_e.html

http://forum.firmware-flash.com/viewforum.php?f=2

According to everyone on this dedicated firmware site you DO NOT want to update to 1.21 if you want to use any cheap/medium grade media.

 

[SmoothSL]

I have this drive and think it's pretty nice... I think it's great that it's a Rebadged Pioneer.. Seems like it's kind of a media standardizing drive.. So that's great for us.. I have found a few problems while using it.. First off, not really a problem, I think it is pretty sad they didn't put a 2x RW in with the package, it's a 1x... That's like buying a Ferrari and have it delivered with wheelbarow tires on it.. But anyhow... Also, I had the Full version of the most recent Nero (5.5.10) on my PC when I installed the drive... It doesn't do some stuff like viewing drive info under Nero Express.. No big deal, but I don't believe it will allow you to turn off the DVD Compatibility mode.. (1 gig. min. burn) It seems as though that is needed on most everything anyhow.. The Nero software that came with it doesn't show the time correctly all the time when you erase the RW media.. The most recent Nero seems to do that correctly.. I ordered this week some esbuy brand (Ritek) 4x -R media from ESbuy.com.... Best price to be found and free shipping... Just spitting out some info...

 

[meetamango]

What benefits does the new firmware hold, I'm planning on buying those 2x Ritek DVDRs (G03) pack from rima.com, will I encounter any problems.

Also, could someone direct me how to burn DVD movies.

So far I have downloaded DVDDecrypter + Primo, but am getting confused now, I want to backup my DVDs

Thanks

 

[SmoothSL]

Also, here is some media compatibility information they have pooled together.... Check it out..

Pioneer A05/105 Media Compatibility

Shows some people have problems with the G03 Ritek burning at 2x.....

 

[zjenny18]

Can u tell me what settings I need to use when burning dvds using recordnow max?

also, what dvd-media works best for this writer?


thx

 

[SmoothSL]

The best media I have been able to find is the Ritek 4x stuff like I stated in the previous post.. 50 disc's for $87 or something.. And around 15 min's to burn a full DVD.. Search around for RecordNow settings...

 

[cheetoden]

Also, could someone direct me how to burn DVD movies.

dvd burning help here

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: cbloss

Originally posted by: hcarlson
Hey guys when I bought mine the the guy at Staples said that it specifically couldn't copy DVD movies because "it has some mechanism inside that won't let you" Any truth to that? I think he was full of BS but he said people were brining them back because they couldn't copy movies with it. I just think they didn't know what they were doing and probably thought they could just copy DVDs without some special program. Anyways, anyone buying this don't forgot to update the firmware to 1.21!

http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e/dev00001r_e.html

http://forum.firmware-flash.com/viewforum.php?f=2

According to everyone on this dedicated firmware site you DO NOT want to update to 1.21 if you want to use any cheap/medium grade media.

I upgraded mine before I ever read that. I haven't had any problem with the media I have bought. I bought Samsung BeAll media for $64 for a spindle of 50. I have also used Fujis that were more expensive. Fujis I could burn at 2x but the Samsung only at 1x

 

[SmoothSL]

Anyone found any 2x -RW media in local stores?? BestBuy, CompUSA, Circuit City???

Hate to buy just a few on the net and pay to ship them...

 

[Jhill]

I just picked up the Cendyne 4x from staples.

Do i need to update the firmware on this model to burn at 4x?

 

[fink8]

Could someone sned me the $50 off $200 rebate please? Thank you.

 

[Coolio27]

Ok...you freaking guys rock!! I went into my local Staples...had the coupon code for $50 off $200 and went right for the Cendyne. I go ask for the manager and tell him that I tried to by this online lastnight but they are sold out. I showed him the Coupon code for $50 off $200..and he says that he can't honor that. So I say can we look at the Staples website where you look at the FAQ's about coupons..and it says right there that you can also go to B&M and input coupon codes at the "in store" kiosk and that will work also...and he says "no kidding"..and i'm like...yup...that's what it says..so he input the code and voila it works out. I never thought I could get a 4x DVD-R for $150..you guys simply are my heros!!

If any of you guys want in on this..the store I went too had 2 left..in New Hartford, NY..if your in the are or surrounding..I think the drive would be worth it..also Rome, NY had some too!

Thanks!

 

[MysticMan1]

I heard there's a $40 off $200 Staples printable email floating around for those last day buyers.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: MysticMan1
I heard there's a $40 off $200 printable email floating around for those last day buyers.

For Officemax or Staples... that would rock if I could get $40 back from Officemax!

 

[tjaisv]

Originally posted by: fink8
Could someone sned me the $50 off $200 rebate please? Thank you.

check your pm