Just bought a Cendyne. It's missing...

[TheSeven7hSon]

FYI, I just bought a Cendyne over the weekend and even though its a Pioneer it's missing a couple of things. It does not have a digital audio output and it does not have (I believe) a fan. This may be how they're able to sell it for such a low price. Contents include an analog audio cable and a manual that has pictures of a different model. When I loaded the burner, the computer did find a Pioneer for "New Hardware Found".

At OfficeMax, they had an empty box with the previous model for display, the 104 if I remember correctly, and it had digital output.

Maybe most of you already knew this but this was a new to me.

Seven

[gcutler]

From what I've heard of the Cendynes, they are hardware identical to the Pioneer except you get minimal SW, and minimal tech support (that is where the savings comes from).

Here is pioneer info link
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/Industrial/IndustrialProductDetails/0,14...,92281,00.html

Dosen't say anything other than Analog Audio out...

ANd didn't see a fan in the back of drive of brochure (maybe behind vent)
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/Files/DVR-A05_Brochure_300dpi.pdf

Fan much more noticable on 104 brochure (Analog Out only as well)...
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/Files/DVR-A04.pdf

See other links on page (brochure, white paper, etc) to see if fan included?

[TheSeven7hSon]

Ahh.... Ok. I don't have a Pioneer to compare with but I should of checked out the web sites first before making a post.

Actually, I do feel better now.

Software I received with my burner:
Nero Express
Nero Vision Express (? not sure)
InterVideo WinDVD
MySonic

Thanks,
Seven

[gcutler]

And on my 104 and 105, I've been able to use the Pioneer firmware. The only difference really is that if it breaks you have to deal with Cendyne support (which is the worst) and Pioneer support. But since the Cendyne is on average $50 cheaper, with the Staples or Office Max deals often $150 cheaper than Pioneer, it is often hard to pass up.

I have 4 PCs in the house, one with a Cendyne 104, Two with a 105, I was going to take advantage of the deal you got for the last one, but figure let me wait for the Pioneer/Cendyne 106 to come out (whatever it is, I assume there will be a new model in a few months) and wait for a good deal on that new one