UPDATED WITH BLACK FACE PLATE AND LOWER PRICE HOT!!!Optorite0203 Dual DVD+/- drive

[wpenhall]

Ok - thanks to you wonderful people I am right on the edge of purchasing this drive from Newegg. Couple software questions, though, before I do...

What is the most popular software that people are using with this drive to make DVD backups, new DVDs from home videos (MiniDV) and data archives? Nero 5.5? 6.0? DVDXCopy? And what's so bad about MyDVD?

Also - I have a Lite-On CD-R/RW that came bundled with Nero 5.5 - but it says the bundled version will only work with the Lite-On drive. As I'm planning on keeping both the Lite-On and the Opto drives in my system, does anyone have any idea whether Nero will refuse to burn to the Opto? Or do I need a full version of Nero to accomodate both?

I guess I'm not looking forward to getting this drive and then having to go out to get a bunch more software to support it even though it's a Retail product.

Thanks!

 

[Chrono]

HAHAHA ok

 

[AnMig]

"Ok - thanks to you wonderful people I am right on the edge of purchasing this drive from Newegg. Couple software questions, though, before I do...

What is the most popular software that people are using with this drive to make DVD backups, new DVDs from home videos (MiniDV) and data archives? Nero 5.5? 6.0? DVDXCopy? And what's so bad about MyDVD?

Also - I have a Lite-On CD-R/RW that came bundled with Nero 5.5 - but it says the bundled version will only work with the Lite-On drive. As I'm planning on keeping both the Lite-On and the Opto drives in my system, does anyone have any idea whether Nero will refuse to burn to the Opto? Or do I need a full version of Nero to accomodate both?

I guess I'm not looking forward to getting this drive and then having to go out to get a bunch more software to support it even though it's a Retail product."


I have had this drive about 2 weeks (white one), I have not done any firmware update.

I was using nero that was bundled with my cdrw and is supposed to be tied down to it. I upgraded to Nero 6.0 and have been using the optorite with it.



I have used DVD shrink---IMG tool---Nero 6.0 to back up dvds
I have also used DVD2ONE---IMGtool--Nero 6.0

one tid bit when using IMG tool-- you have to create a "VIDEO_TS" folder and put all the files created into that folder or else IMG tool will not find it.
They also say that you do not need IMG tool to burn with nero just put all the files created by DVD2one or DVDSHRINK in the VIDEO_TS folder in the NERO window

these are the tidbits often missed by Newbies like me when backing up DVD's

 

[MysticMan1]

This is looks interesting, livewarehouse.com is selling the "new" Plextor PX-708A 8X DVD±RW Dual Drive for $289.99 (Shipping starts 9/1/03).

Here's some info on the Plexto writer : Plextor's PX-708A drive supports 8X DVD+R and 4X DVD-R Writing; 4X DVD+RW and 2X DVD-RW Rewriting; and 12X max DVD-Reading. The new DVD/CD burner also boasts high-speed 40X CD-R Writing, 24X CD-RW Rewriting, and 40X max CD-Reading.

The unit features a 2MB data buffer and burst data transfer rates of 33 MB/sec., allowing users to burn a 4.7GB DVD+R disc in approximately eight minutes

Plextor Supports Leading DVD Format Standards with New Dual DVD+/-R/RW Drive

 

[DMan9]

Got mine yesterday from Live Warehouse. Fast processing and FedEx Express Saver for free! I think the order said Priority Mail. Anyway, works awesome with the new firmware.

 

[sync]

Originally posted by: MysticMan1
This is looks interesting, livewarehouse.com is selling the "new" Plextor PX-708A 8X DVD±RW Dual Drive for $289.99 (Shipping starts 9/1/03).

Here's some info on the Plexto writer : Plextor's PX-708A drive supports 8X DVD+R and 4X DVD-R Writing; 4X DVD+RW and 2X DVD-RW Rewriting; and 12X max DVD-Reading. The new DVD/CD burner also boasts high-speed 40X CD-R Writing, 24X CD-RW Rewriting, and 40X max CD-Reading.

The unit features a 2MB data buffer and burst data transfer rates of 33 MB/sec., allowing users to burn a 4.7GB DVD+R disc in approximately eight minutes

Plextor Supports Leading DVD Format Standards with New Dual DVD+/-R/RW Drive

Hey, cut it out. I just got the Optorite drive and I can't afford to start lusting after another drive so soon.

 

[memo]

Originally posted by: MysticMan1
This is looks interesting, livewarehouse.com is selling the "new" Plextor PX-708A 8X DVD±RW Dual Drive for $289.99 (Shipping starts 9/1/03).

Here's some info on the Plexto writer : Plextor's PX-708A drive supports 8X DVD+R and 4X DVD-R Writing; 4X DVD+RW and 2X DVD-RW Rewriting; and 12X max DVD-Reading. The new DVD/CD burner also boasts high-speed 40X CD-R Writing, 24X CD-RW Rewriting, and 40X max CD-Reading.

The unit features a 2MB data buffer and burst data transfer rates of 33 MB/sec., allowing users to burn a 4.7GB DVD+R disc in approximately eight minutes

Plextor Supports Leading DVD Format Standards with New Dual DVD+/-R/RW Drive

link is a no go for me

 

[MysticMan1]

Originally posted by: memo

Originally posted by: MysticMan1
This is looks interesting, livewarehouse.com is selling the "new" Plextor PX-708A 8X DVD±RW Dual Drive for $289.99 (Shipping starts 9/1/03).

Here's some info on the Plexto writer : Plextor's PX-708A drive supports 8X DVD+R and 4X DVD-R Writing; 4X DVD+RW and 2X DVD-RW Rewriting; and 12X max DVD-Reading. The new DVD/CD burner also boasts high-speed 40X CD-R Writing, 24X CD-RW Rewriting, and 40X max CD-Reading.

The unit features a 2MB data buffer and burst data transfer rates of 33 MB/sec., allowing users to burn a 4.7GB DVD+R disc in approximately eight minutes

Plextor Supports Leading DVD Format Standards with New Dual DVD+/-R/RW Drive

link is a no go for me

That site is down. Here's another site with the same info. Plextor's PX-708A drive supports 8X DVD+R

 

[Pugchucker]

Originally posted by: MysticMan1
This is looks interesting, livewarehouse.com is selling the "new" Plextor PX-708A 8X DVD±RW Dual Drive for $289.99 (Shipping starts 9/1/03).

Here's some info on the Plexto writer : Plextor's PX-708A drive supports 8X DVD+R and 4X DVD-R Writing; 4X DVD+RW and 2X DVD-RW Rewriting; and 12X max DVD-Reading. The new DVD/CD burner also boasts high-speed 40X CD-R Writing, 24X CD-RW Rewriting, and 40X max CD-Reading.

The unit features a 2MB data buffer and burst data transfer rates of 33 MB/sec., allowing users to burn a 4.7GB DVD+R disc in approximately eight minutes

Plextor Supports Leading DVD Format Standards with New Dual DVD+/-R/RW Drive

Ooooooooooooooh, mama! Daddy likee.

 

[William]

2 Questions

Does this Optorite drive from NewEgg come with any good software to make quality copies of existing DVDs. Or should I download another program.

Also, newbie question. Which discs are most compatible to use in existing DVD players (standalone and computer). DVD+R, right. And DVD+RW discs, too. Right?

 

[William]

I hear this Optorite burner is set to Region 2 and that you can't change it. Anyone hear anything about this?????

 

[uo7]

No RPC-1 firmware yet.

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?category=4&manufactor=60

 

[ICR5]

I'm Tempted on getting this Optorite but seems to be picky with media.. specially at 4x.

I've read that the NEC ND-1300A± with fw v6 (1f05) burn almost everything including Princo's at 4x.

Price is almost identical to the Optorite, so looks like NEC could be even more tempting with more media compability.

my 2¢'s

 

[craneo]

For those of you asking about DVD copy/backup here is an article/review of four of the more popular DVD backup softwares:

CdFreaks: Copying DVDs, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

 

[stockjock]

OK...got a question for you guys...I've got Tivo on my big screen TV out in the family room. I noticed after my last update that I'm now able to hook it up to my broadband connection via a wireless USB adapter ( I have a wireless network setup in my house already). I just ordered an adapter and it should be here shortly. Since it will be on my network, will I be able to see the TIVO on my network and then be able to burn the movies that I save to my TIVO to a Optorite0203 Dual DVD+/- drive?

 

[DanT]

You'll need to do some hacking in order to extract video from your TiVo over the network. Head over to the forums at http://www.dealdatabase.com/ and start reading.

 

[William]

I'm going with the NEC ND-1300A-/+. The Optorite's current region 2 problem and everything I'm reading on message boards made me decide this.

 

[stockjock]

Head over to the forums at http://www.dealdatabase.com/ and start reading.

Uhhh??? I'm very confused where do I find information on that site. It looks like a referral site???

Nevermind...found what you meant! Thanks

 

[memo]

region 2 problem? havents heard much about this

 

[GetInMyFatBelly]

If enough of you post in the firmware page forums for a RPC 1 solution, then maybe ETNA or one of the others there might mod a firmware.

http://forum.firmware-flash.com/viewforum.php?f=12

 

[wpenhall]

Yes - what's this region 2 "problem?" I read through the posts and reviews and couldn't find any details.

Anyone care to elaborate?

Thanks!

 

[DanT]

As near as I could tell, there is no Region 2 problem. The drive defaults (or at least used to) to R2 after a firmware update. This caused some people to freak out because Windows kept reporting that there were only 2 more changes allowed, and so they didn't want to update their firmware, because that would set it to 2 (using one of the 2 remaining changes) and then they'd have to set it back to 1 (using the final change). But it wasn't like that at all. Windows just acts weird, basically, and lies about the number of changes left. The hardware doesn't care.

Essentially, it's not even a non-issue, it's downright non-existent.

 

[RaNd0m]

Originally posted by: RaNd0m
I ordered the black face place version here MemoryMedia. My total was $164.06 shipped. My drive already shipped FEDEX, I'll let you all know if I have a bad experience with MemoryMedia. I used AmericanExpress to cover myself

No problems from MemoryMedia. Drive came, I upgraded the firmware and now can see the 8mb buffer. I backed up a couple movies so far and used the HD-Burn with no problems. Overall satisfied:moon:

 

[GetInMyFatBelly]

Region code problem means there is no region code 1 firmware available. This means you can only play DVD's from your region. Only allows for 5 changes to other regions before it locks permanently. RPC 1 means it's unlocked and you can watchs DVD's from any region.

 

[William]

Oh. I was under the impression that this region 2 issue, which is now seemingly a non-issue, would affect somehow the actual DVD that is produced from the drive. I just ordered the black NEC ND-1300a from Newegg.com and a pack of Ritek 4x DVD-Rs.

As far as burning goes, am I right that I should be set to burn working DVDs if I use Nero and DVDShrink? Yes, no? I'm also checking out Doom9.org and Dvdrhelp.com.