Optorite DVD DD0203 +/- RW Only $107 New Firmware Out

[conehead433]

AccuPC now has the Optorite 4X DVD +/- RW for $106.95 shipped. The same drive can be had at several other vendors listed on PriceWatch for as low as $102.99. AccuPC has a very high reseller rating is why I listed their price. Additionally Optorite has new firmware listed on their site, and according to some reports I have seen on some of the video forums it supposedly resolves a problem in regard to -R discs burned on the Optorite not playing on a number of standalone DVD players. I have not verified this myself, but when I get a chance I will burn a -R disc with the new firmware and see if the disc will play on a friend's Sony 715. Previously -R discs I had recorded would not play on it, so I will report back. I won't bother hyping the Optorite here as you can search and find several threads already regarding the drive. They also now have an 8X drive which has been seen recently for $175.

AccuPC Optorite DD0203

AccuPC Lifetime Reseller Rating 9.06

Optorite Firmware Page

 

[MrPaulAR]

For those who want user experiance please check out DVDRHelp.com.

 

[phillydog]

Thanks for the heads up on the new firmware... not sure what it improves, but will up it anyways... thx.

 

[vinjince]

Newegg has it for $1 more. I would get from newegg. Both have free shipping.

 

[Averox]

Originally posted by: vinjince
Newegg has it for $1 more. I would get from newegg. Both have free shipping.

Not to mention newegg has a long window of oppurtunity to RMA defective products. Accupc.com has 30 days and you're out of luck.

 

[verypissedoff]

here's to praying that the new firmware resolves my dvd-r issue with my standalones. i'll report back later.

 

[Jeraden]

I did have some dvd-r issues with the old firmware. They wouldn't play in my one dvd-rom drive. However, I ended up just replacing the dvd-rom. Wonder if this new firmware would have saved me $30.

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: Averox

Originally posted by: vinjince
Newegg has it for $1 more. I would get from newegg. Both have free shipping.

Not to mention newegg has a long window of oppurtunity to RMA defective products. Accupc.com has 30 days and you're out of luck.

good point

 

[Karsten]

Had no problem with my Opto... been burning and watching movies on my Pioneer Standalone for a couple month now.

 

[captains]

wonder if these are hackable to 8X

 

[Overzeetop]

I'm getting ready to burn a backup of Finding Nemo right now. I've had problems with DVD-Rs in both my laptop and my Sony jukebox (heck, the discs weren't even recognized). DVD-R's w/o finalization can be read in my laptop, but only the first session. DVD+RWs are iffy in the laptop, but play fine in the Sony. Since the laptop doesn't offically support +R or +RW, I'll let that one go.

...11 minutes later...

We have a Winner! Loads up fine in the laptop drive with a -R. Thanks OP for pointing out the new firmware!

 

[HarryK]

Originally posted by: Overzeetop
I'm getting ready to burn a backup of Finding Nemo right now. I've had problems with DVD-Rs in both my laptop and my Sony jukebox (heck, the discs weren't even recognized). DVD-R's w/o finalization can be read in my laptop, but only the first session. DVD+RWs are iffy in the laptop, but play fine in the Sony. Since the laptop doesn't offically support +R or +RW, I'll let that one go.

...11 minutes later...

We have a Winner! Loads up fine in the laptop drive with a -R. Thanks OP for pointing out the new firmware!

How about in your Sony?

 

[Souka]

I have this burner.... I REALLY REALLY wish they would include the changes with each firmware.....

 

[Corporate Thug]

i had this burner for a while, burned everything fine


the nec for a couple bucks more is a better choice IMO

 

[verypissedoff]

winner, winner, winner! after the firmware update, dvd-r's now work in my apex and old panny standalones. Thx conehead for the head's up.

 

[DVDumbo]

Is there a post somewhere, describing Step by Step process for Firmware upgarde? If not, can you please describe it? I have never done such upgrades. Thnx. Great Forum.

Originally posted by: verypissedoff
winner, winner, winner! after the firmware update, dvd-r's now work in my apex and old panny standalones. Thx conehead for the head's up.

 

[conehead433]

Success! The DVD-R burned with the Optorite's newest firmware played OK on a Sony player. I'm glad they resolved this issue as it was the only flaw with the Optorite that I was aware of. It was never a problem for me because I prefer to use +R 4X high quality discs. The only other complaints you see people claim about the drive is that the cheap junk media they try to use doesn't work or doesn't work right with the drive. If they would bother to use media on Optorite's recommended list maybe they would have better results.

"wonder if these are hackable to 8X" Well even if you could it's not a good idea. You would end up burning out the laser pretty quickly. Just buy the 8X model.

"Is there a post somewhere, describing Step by Step process for Firmware upgarde? If not, can you please describe it? I have never done such upgrades. Thnx. Great Forum."

Just go to the Optorite firmware page and dowload the file DD0203_win_223.zip to somewhere on your computer where you can find it. Extract the files to a folder where you can find them. In that folder click on DV2Flash.exe. Select the Optorite dd0203 drive when the menu appears so it will flash the right drive. Choose the file DV2_223.bin and open it. Click OK. The drive will be flashed with the new firmware. They tray will open when it begins. You may get an error message when it finishes that the flashing failed. Pay no attention to this message. Reboot your computer so the drive will be using the new firmware. When your computer reboots you will get a 'found new hardware message' for the Optorite and a Cd Rom. Don't worry about it saying Cd Rom. You can check the drive's firmware using Nero's Info Tool to see that you are now running 2.23.

BTW- You can always click on Help on their firmware page. It will take you to step by step instructions.



DD0203 Firmware Instructions

 

[conehead433]

Just noticed my last post was #420. I guess a celebration is in order.

 

[fumbduck]

boo for not having this in black

 

[KDKPSJ]

Have had for about half a year, and simply love this drive

 

[conehead433]

"boo for not having this in black"

Au contraire mon frere



New Egg Optorite DD0203 Black $110.99

 

[rdh]

Originally posted by: Overzeetop
I'm getting ready to burn a backup of Finding Nemo right now. I've had problems with DVD-Rs in both my laptop and my Sony jukebox (heck, the discs weren't even recognized). DVD-R's w/o finalization can be read in my laptop, but only the first session. DVD+RWs are iffy in the laptop, but play fine in the Sony. Since the laptop doesn't offically support +R or +RW, I'll let that one go.

...11 minutes later...

We have a Winner! Loads up fine in the laptop drive with a -R. Thanks OP for pointing out the new firmware!

YESSSS! I can also confirm.... I had two PC dvdrom drives that could not read disks written by the optorite, but the firmware upgrade now results in disks that can be read by both. WOOOOHOOOOO!

Assuming that nothing else has been broken... I can give the Optorite a whole hearted two thumbs up!

 

[Monotaur]

Has anyone had any luck with the HD-BURN feature of this drive? I've read that it's pretty media-picky. I'm starting to lean towards this drive, especially since the -R compatibility appears to be fixed.

 

[conehead433]

"Has anyone had any luck with the HD-BURN feature of this drive? I've read that it's pretty media-picky. I'm starting to lean towards this drive, especially since the -R compatibility appears to be fixed."

The HD-BURN feature works fine if you use media that Optorite and Sanyo list as being compatible. The list excludes almost any media below 48X. I've had great success with Fuji Tayo Yuden discs.

 

[Averox]

Originally posted by: conehead433
"Has anyone had any luck with the HD-BURN feature of this drive? I've read that it's pretty media-picky. I'm starting to lean towards this drive, especially since the -R compatibility appears to be fixed."

The HD-BURN feature works fine if you use media that Optorite and Sanyo list as being compatible. The list excludes almost any media below 48X. I've had great success with Fuji Tayo Yuden discs.

When I had this(I sold it off and got a PX-708A) I was able to use some ghetto Imation Neon discs. CMC Magnetics was the manufactuer of the discs.