(Dead) Cendyne DVD-R/RW 4X Drive (Pioneer) "$149.99" AR & coupon at Staples

[Sepen]

Originally posted by: DaCurryman
Damn this looks like a sweet deal, but I'm still trying to figure out the whole different formats of DVD-R. I dunno if I should wait till they're settled on a format or is this the one that's likely to win, etc.

Why wait? Neither one is going anywhere anytme soon. Stop procrastinating and just get one already. I have gone thru 4 myself. I have this unit from the last Staples deal still sitting new in the box unopened. I can't muster up the strength to dump my perfectly working 103.

 

[Sepen]

Originally posted by: stingygrrl
I thought that DVDs were dual layer, about 9 GB and the standard blank DVD we can burn is about 1/2 that size, making it a lot harder than just pressing a Copy button. (sorry, I forget the exact sizes).

If it's the case that you have to go thru a whole process to rip, compress, encode, burn to multiple disks, etc, what's the advantage of this vs, say, (S)VCD? I know there's probably a slight quality loss with (S)VCD, but is there any other advantage? Just wondering if it's worth upgrading at this point on the technology curve?

Thanks!

I have did it, done it routine and have become very good at it. But, with the advent of DVD2One now, it is too simple.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Sepen

Originally posted by: DaCurryman
Damn this looks like a sweet deal, but I'm still trying to figure out the whole different formats of DVD-R. I dunno if I should wait till they're settled on a format or is this the one that's likely to win, etc.

Why wait? Neither one is going anywhere anytme soon. Stop procrastinating and just get one already. I have gone thru 4 myself. I have this unit from the last Staples deal still sitting new in the box unopened. I can't muster up the strength to dump my perfectly working 103.

thanks, Sepen !

 

[alchemize]

I have did it, done it routine and have become very good at it. But, with the advent of DVD2One now, it is too simple.

Is it really that simple? For example, can I do this:

Take my legally purchased copy of "The Wiggles Christmas Party" (technically my daughters who likes to beat up on DVD's), pop it in, copy it, and it will be undistinguishable from the original.... including Dolby Digital/DTS encoding? Because the sound is just as important to me as the picture...

 

[soundforbjt]

Originally posted by: TurtleMan

Originally posted by: stingygrrl
I thought that DVDs were dual layer, about 9 GB and the standard blank DVD we can burn is about 1/2 that size, making it a lot harder than just pressing a Copy button. (sorry, I forget the exact sizes).

If it's the case that you have to go thru a whole process to rip, compress, encode, burn to multiple disks, etc, what's the advantage of this vs, say, (S)VCD? I know there's probably a slight quality loss with (S)VCD, but is there any other advantage? Just wondering if it's worth upgrading at this point on the technology curve?

Thanks!

totally word , dvdxcopy , it ripped off all the menu and extras off from you leaving you with perfect under 4.7GB space for pictures and
everything ... im looking for ward to dvdxcopy 2.. which might let u keep the menu and extra, after all, that's one of the thing we rent DVD rite..
to see those extra stuff on it ..

You mean DVD2One. dvdxcopy keeps everything but usually requires 2 dvdr's.

 

[PMoore]

So is this a good drive? I have not been following this entire industry debate on the formats.
In short, will I be able to purchase the drive, put movies on it, ie; vcd and watch it on my dvd player?

 

[Alps]

If your drive does not recognize 2X media you need to go to the Cendyne website and download and install the firm ware update. It's easy and it will then function with the media you have. They are fine I use them every day.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Jhill
If you do get this drive, be sure to get good blank media for it.

I bought a 25 pack of 2x riteks blank dvd-rs and my drive won't even recognize the disks.

Maybe I just got a bad batch of disks.

I've seen it mentioned before that there are multipacks out there that have blanks from different brands... try that before you invest in bundles (25 or more) of blank dvd's. Then, you'll know which brands your dvd burner likes, and won't waste money on a stack of dvd's that your burner doesn't like.

I am Soooooooo tempted by this deal

btw, dvd+ can be played by about 10% fewer standalone dvd players than dvd- (according to various articles I've read while researching this)

The big advantage to dvd+ (only significant advantage as far as I can see) is that it supports or will support Mt Rainier something or other.... What it means though, is that you can drag and drop files and your computer will see the blank dvd as something like another hard drive.
Since I have no problem with using a program like Nero where the drag and drop occurs all at once before starting to burn, and I burn the entire cd at one time, this isn't that big of a deal to me. I assume I'll be burning an entire dvd at one time too.

Question: standalone dvd players that can play mp3's.... do they recognize mp3's on a dvd as well as on a CD?
With a dvd player, being able to hold 5000 songs at a time would be great!

 

[Alps]

The only Staples coupon I can find is $40 off $200 with free shipping. The Cendyne $50 MIR is over. So It appears that the best it can be is $299 less $40 = $259 and if there is a $60 instant rebate = $199. Still not bad. Anyone know about a $50 mail in?

 

[Walliser]

You still need quality media to burn 2x and even more important for 4x.

All the firmware upgrade does is: it burns 2x regardless of the quality of the disc, can you say coaster?

There is a reason why 2x and 4x media cost money. Why do people go crazy over TY CDRs? Well, they are worth their money. Same goes for DVD recordables (both -R and +R). I will not waste money on a 50 pack of Princos or Riteks just to find out that they produce coasters or will not be recognized by another player/drive.

And for the guys who worry about which technology to get, -R or +R. Well... if you are that worried about making the wrong choice, then this is not the time for you to buy a DVD recorder. I am sticking to my DVD-R, if it so happens that DVD+R wins, well, then I'll get one of those when the battle is over. Until then, -R it is for me.

 

[rockyct]

Originally posted by: erikatcuse
From my research I believe +R/RW is better....for a few reasons

+R/RW is suppose to work with most DVD players and DVD-ROM drives
you don't have to format the disks
media cost a little bit more


-R/RW is basically a Sony standard
you have to format the disk before using it
chances are if you have a pre dvd writer dvd-rom/player it won't read -R/RW
media is cheaper though

Also the DVD Video Recorders all use the +R format from what I've seen

Which one will win? Who knows its anyones guess but Sony now has the +R/RW&-R/RW combo drive.

The best thing to do is go the the Hardware forum and search this topic has been widely discussed.

Actually, - RW is even more compatable withe DVD players than +RW.

 

[huesmann]

There may be a new Cendyne rebate starting Sunday, if MysticMan1 is correct.

DVD2one does copy 5.1 soundtracks if you select that. There is some slight visual degradation, but you wouldn't notice it unless the movie is really long. Certainly not if the original DVD is less than 4.5GB.

 

[fishbob]

Take a look at this. It seems a standard has been somewhat agreed to. This will help alot:

http://www.ebnonline.com/story/OEG20020712S0048[L=To cool !!!]

 

[fishbob]

Sorry it should be:Here

 

[Foghorn]

I have this drive and it works great. I'm sticking with brand name (TDK) media and avoiding the Princo, Ritek and other generics. Comparing the price per MB to CD-R's, a couple bucks for a TDK DVD is worth it to me.

 

[tigerbait]

dang...$10 less than I paid two weeks ago



4x DVD-Rs for this drive

 

[alluu]

A newbie in the DVD-R/RW market. Will this drive allow me to burn stuff and play them on a xbox (both movies and games). Especially, games. Never lend games to your friends cause they come back always scratched up.

 

[tigerbait]

Originally posted by: alluu
A newbie in the DVD-R/RW market. Will this drive allow me to burn stuff and play them on a xbox (both movies and games). Especially, games. Never lend games to your friends cause they come back always scratched up.

you will need a modchip to play "backup" DVD-Rs for the xbox, but that's a whole other topic. see Xbox Scene for more details

 

[overclock]

Originally posted by: alchemize
Can anyone explain to me in plain english the DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM formats, and who will win, or will it mattter?

Just buy both drives and be done with it. In the end two drives after rebate will cost the same as one of those unlocatable combination drives.

 

[Spac3d]

Am I blind? I don't see if he mentioned B&M or online... shall I assume both?

Anyone going to buy now then return buy next week or is that bad strategy?

 

[Spac3d]

Oh ya, any chance for BVG on this to go reallll low?

 

[paco83]

I hate you all making me go out and spend another 140 bucks!

And now that i've spent money on the DVD-R/rw format its guaranteed that DVD+R/+RW will win out, so everyone go buy one of those

 

[NICKel]

Anyone know the shelf life on DVD's? is it better the 2-10 years for CDR's?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Spac3d
Am I blind? I don't see if he mentioned B&M or online... shall I assume both?

Anyone going to buy now then return buy next week or is that bad strategy?

Starting Sun. 2-16

I think it's time someone finally proposed it: MysticMan1 for Elite!

 

[ShinSa]

Originally posted by: fishbob
Sorry it should be:Here

Not to offend but that article is over 6month old and like any technology issues, 6 month is nothing but history.

As far as standards are concerned, both formats are still up in the air, with neither formats yielding.

Here's a recent article that counters yours.

DVD+R

I myself have purchased the A05 couple of weeks ago and couldnt be happier.

For the same price, I could have gotten the TDK DVD R/RW for $150 but 4x speed of Pioneer vs the 2.4X speed of TDK outweighed the drag and drop feature of the DVD+R format.

Not that DVD-R owners arent able to drag and drop - (Windows XP has a feature that mimics drag and drop.)

Whether both formats stay or one goes away like BETA, It doesn't make sense to dish out $300 for a drive that can do both +/- format when you can basically buy a pioneer and a TDK for the same price.

So stop worrying and go out and get this drive, people!!!!

By the looks of OfficeMAX thread, this ones also guaranteed to sell out before most people make up their mind.

In the case of DVD+R winning, you can still use this as a DVD/CD-RW combo drive.

And for $140, it's a steal!