Difference between Sony DRU500AX and Sony DRU-500AX

[TomLo]

Other than writing +RW at 2.4x for DRU-500A and 4X for DRU-500AX, is there any other differences?

I used to know that DRU-500A was made in Japan. Is DRU-500AX also made in Japan?

[adam]

I think they are identical hardware, the AX just has the later firmware version already installed, which is why it can burn certain media faster. You can manually install the newer firmware yourself on the DRU-500A and effectively make it the same as the DRU-500AX.

I'm looking at my DRU-500AX box and yes it is also made in Japan. Great burner, I'm loving mine so far.