Some hot *DUAL* DVD writer deals: OptoRite for $148 shipped (even black), NEC for $146 shipped, Pioneer for $167 shipped

[MontyBurns]

FatWallet has an advertised special going on right now, a promotion with LiveWarehouse. Many of us discussed their OptoRite deal here a couple weeks ago. The prices have fallen even further. These seem like fantastic deals. Some people appear to have had some issues with LiveWarehouse -- I've only ordered from them once, and it went fine, but I don't feel like that's enough to form a complete opinion of them.

Details are in the FW thread.

Summary (all have free shipping):

SONY DW-U10A 2.4X DVD±RW CDRW Dual Drive - $165.00! (Free Priority Mail Shipping)
BLACK Bezel Version - $165.00 Free Priority Mail Shipping)

Sony DW-U14A 4X DVD±RW CDRW Combo Multi Dual Drive - $199.00
BLACK Bezel Version - $199.00 (Free Priority Mail Shipping)

OptoRite DD0203 DVD±RW CDRW Dual Drive - $148.00
BLACK Bezel Version - $148.00

Beige Bezel Pioneer DVR-106 DVD±RW CDRW Dual Drive - $167.00
BLACK Bezel Version - $167.00

NEC ND-1300A 4X DVD±RW CDRW Dual Drive - $146.00
BLACK Bezel Version - $148.00

 

[GrandVizor]

link

 

[MontyBurns]

Keep in mind you need to check out fatwallet first before you do this. Custom discount involved.

 

[kwo]

I'm thinking the 4x drives will be better than the 2.4x...but given there are several choices (Optorite, Sony, Pioneer, NEC), I'm curious what peoples opinions are.....

Here's some very general questions:
1. Best all-around/compatible writer (for different media/manufacturers)?
2. Best compatible reader(for backing up DVD movies, copy protected DVD's - that I own, of course)?
3. Fastest Reader (of most formats)?
4. Fastest Writer (of either -R/RW or +R/RW)?


If this line of questioning needs to be moved, then my apologies, and move away, mods!

Ran

 

[Ziptar]

I sat on the fence with the same questions for a while finally ordered a black optorite for $148 on this deal Monday. I got yesterday and have burned a CD-R, HDBurn CD-R, a DVD-R and a DVD-RW. So far works great. sweet drive for $149.

 

[INXSible]

Go for the OptoRite, hands down the best DVD Burner, IMHO

Best features:

HD-BURN: Record Twice the capacity of CD-R media, 700MB to 1.4GB
8MB internal buffer

 

[MontyBurns]

Lots of people at FW seemed to be favoring the Pioneer.

Anyone else here have first-hand experience with either of them?

 

[MontyBurns]

Anyone own these?

 

[whistleclient]

my buddy works in a DVD authoring house in los angeles. he swears by Pioneer. it's the only thing he uses at work or home.

 

[MontyBurns]

It does seem like OptoRite is doing a good job of support... there is new firmware out. People in the other thread say the performance is great.

 

[caddlad]

Pffht..just ordered the NEC fm Newegg last nite for $156.

 

[Ziptar]

I did alot of reading up on the optorite before I bought it. lots of info to keep you busy for a while..

The optorite is a It is a Rebadged Sanyo..


Optorite Info
CDR-Info Review of the Optprite DD0203
Thread Here at AT
Fatwallet Thread[
Thread about ti on the firmwareflsh forums.


One of the Optorite Threads has been keeping a list of what Media works with the DD0203 at what speed etc : here you go..

[*]TDK DVD+R 4x
[*]Ritek/Ridata DVD-R 4x
[*]Princo DVD-R 4x (so far the newest firmware 2.11 can only recognize it as 2.4x
[*]Maxell DVD-R 2x
[*]CompUSA DVD-R ?x
[*]Sony DVD+RW ?x
[*]Fuji DVD+R 2x
[*]Fuji DVD+RW 2.4x
[*]Dvdpro DVD-R ?x
[*]Kyhpermedia DVD-R 4x
[*]Verbatim DVD+R 4x
[*]HP DVD+R ?x
[*]Memorex DVD-R, DVD-RW ?x

If only considering DVD-R because it's low price and good compatibility,
I would say, the best choice overallis
If you want excellent quality, go for ritek (@meritline)
If you want best quality/price, go for princo (@rima)

For the hd-burn, it seems most well-known brand CD-R will do successfully, say, Fuji, Memorex

The most popular websites for DVD-R are:

www.rima.com
www.meritline.com
www.blank-cd-cdr.com
www.shop4tech.com
www.yesbuy.net

 

[NarsDaD]

To anyone thats thinking about the OptoRite DD0203, I got mine in the beginning of August and ordered a 100 pack DVDPro 1X to 4X DVD01X0070-100 on a spindle. A friend of mine has the Sony Dual burner and recommended this media. As soon as I got the media and burned it, it was burning at 2X.
I kept checking Optorite's site and then they posted DV2_217.zip. It now burns them at 4X!
So far they work in our Xbox (games n dvd), Apex, Panasonic and JVC dvd players.
One thing optorite doesn't do, that they should, is put a text in the zip or at least on their site telling us what is in the updated firmware.

 

[d0wnthe11235813]

i have the pioneer and it works great, ive had no problems with it

 

[MontyBurns]

Lots of people seem to favor the pioneer, but I'm not sure why? Is it just because of the perceived reliability of the brand? The specs on the OptoRite seem clearly better.

 

[Engineer]

The white Optorite is now $143.70 at PCSupplysource.com. (exerpt from E-mail that was sent to me)...

Read/Write Speed: Read (DVD+R): 4X

DVD+RW:4X;DVD-R:4X;DVD-RW:4X;DVD-ROM:12X
CD-R:40X;CD-RW:40X WRITE
(DVD+R:4X;DVD-R:4X;DVD-RW4X,
DVD+RW:2.4X;CD-R:24X;CD-RW:12X)
STORAGE CAPACITY: 4.7GB(DVD)
Retail Box

coupon code: dddada

Final Cost: $144.00!

Free FedEx shipping!

(Code should be OK since it was e-mailed to me IN the PCSupplySource Ad E-mail...if not...I'll remove it! )

 

[adlep]

***Must resist the buying urge....
***Must resist......
***Heeeellllpppp.......

 

[RDMustang1]

If anyone cares, the SONY DW-U10A is identical to the DRU-500a and can be hacked to the retail firmware (the hack can be found on google) and after the hack you can use any regular retail firmware on it.

The DW-U14A is idential to the DRU-510a except afaik there is no hack to use retail firmware and Sony doesn't release updated firmwares for OEM products.

 

[MontyBurns]

So which one to buy?!?! Decisions decisions.

 

[Ziptar]

Originally posted by: MontyBurns
So which one to buy?!?! Decisions decisions.

Optorite

 

[MontyBurns]

Any particular reason why?

 

[Engineer]

I know one thing....Optorite seems to update their firmware very often. I think there's been about 4 or 5 versions since the FW thread was started. Seems that they try to correct items as quick as they find them. Probably a good sign!

 

[conehead433]

"Any particular reason why?"

Why the Optorite? With the prices being close to each other the Optorite performs as good as the Pioneer. Both outperform the SONY. The Optorite has the added feature of HD BURN.
You can take advantage of the lower cost of CD media and have 1.4 GB data CD discs. They can only be read by the Optorite.

 

[jeepers94]

Well,I for one think Sony has the BEST burner.The 510a is the best of the lot,for now.I have almost 800 burns on my Sony 500a.True,I would not buy their oem over the Pioneer 106(have 7) or the retail OptoRite(have 1).Sony has the best support, for their reatail version drives,of any manufacturer.I have used close to 25 models of dvd writers.All 3 of these drives are very good,if you take the time to set it up correctly!More often,then not,it is a system,software conflct or just crappy media.I am not to fond of Livewarehouse though.I just recieved a 106 from them.It had a manuf.date of April 2003 and no Pioneer sticker.I recieved 6 of the same drive from AV logic the day before,they were dated July 2003 and all had the Pioneer sticker!Shipping took 8 days for LWH and 3 days for AVL.Cost was $10 less for each drive from AVL also!Is my drive from LWH new?

 

[IgorTs]

BAd seller,
I got defective drive, they want 25% restocking fee.
I'm not buying from them and do not recommend to other