Anybody own both the Sony DRU 500 and Pioneer/Cendyne?

[RappWizard]

After doing a great deal of research I have come to the conclusion that the Sony DRU 500AX and the Pioneer A05 (aka Cendynde now selling at Office Max for $179.99 after discount and rebate) are the best 2 DVD Writers out there. I am thinking about just going with both and calling it a day. Just curious as to whether anybody out there bought both and whether they are happy using both. Thanks!!

[LanceSteel]

Ummmm, why would you want both? Do you want the Pioneer for the added 4x speed over the Sony? Since the Sony does both the +R/-R formats you can't be getting the pioneer because it does -R. I would get one drive (probably the Sony, even though I already have the A04) and save the $180 a new HD or beer or something.

[Tbear]

I have both and very happy with the two of them.

Sony DRU-500a
Cendyne DVR-105

[RappWizard]

Tbear, are you using the 2 writers in the same CPU or separate computers. Thanks for the reply.

[Tbear]

Two differant Computers.

Computer 1
Win XP Pro
AMD Atholn XP 2000+
Abit KR7A-133
512Mb DDR PC2100
60Gb Max, 100Gb WD
Sony DRU-500a
Lite-On LTD-165H

Computer 2
Win XP Pro
AMD Athlon XP 2000+
ECS K7S5A
256Mb PC133
80GB WD
Cendyne DRV-105
Plextor 24/10/40A

[Colt45]

I have both drives also and I'm very happy with both of them. I have them installed in two different Pentium 4 machines.

[mysterio1]

The guys that have both do you think the Sony is worth more then double the price of the 105, I dont think so, Ive had my Cendyne 105 for 5 months and have made 50+ backups with no coasters, you cant do better then that for only $169+tax at office max its the best purchase Ive ever made.

Dont get me wrong I love the Sony too but its not worth the price though.

[Tbear]

Well, let's compare apples to apples and not oranges shall we.

List price for Sony DRU-500a - $350.00 US
List Price for Cendyne DVR-105 - $300.00 US

I paid for Sony After discounts and Rebates - $206.00 US
I paid for Cendyne after Discounts and Rebates - $169.00 US

So as you can see there is no double the price differance. Actually less then $50. And I do think the Sony is worth the extra $50 YES. I got my Sony from Dell when it first came out. I bought the Sony first then bought the Cendyne last. I bought both of them when they were on sale.

[OSU]

Well, let's compare apples to apples and not oranges shall we.

List price for Sony DRU-500a - $350.00 US
List Price for Cendyne DVR-105 - $300.00 US

I paid for Sony After discounts and Rebates - $206.00 US
I paid for Cendyne after Discounts and Rebates - $169.00 US

So as you can see there is no double the price differance. Actually less then $50. And I do think the Sony is worth the extra $50 YES. I got my Sony from Dell when it first came out. I bought the Sony first then bought the Cendyne last. I bought both of them when they were on sale.

Was aware of the $50 rebate from Sony direct, but how did you get the extra $100 off?

[mysterio1]

Well, let's compare apples to apples and not oranges shall we.

List price for Sony DRU-500a - $350.00 US
List Price for Cendyne DVR-105 - $300.00 US

I paid for Sony After discounts and Rebates - $206.00 US
I paid for Cendyne after Discounts and Rebates - $169.00 US

So as you can see there is no double the price differance. Actually less then $50. And I do think the Sony is worth the extra $50 YES. I got my Sony from Dell when it first came out. I bought the Sony first then bought the Cendyne last. I bought both of them when they were on sale.

Yeah you got lucky but most guys made over $350 for thiers, which is almost $200 more.

[Tbear]

Well, when Dell first offered the Sony. They put it on sale for $308.00, then they had 10% off sale, then a $25.00 coupon off evrything over $200. Which brought the price down to $256.00. Then the $50 rebate from Sony. So you can see why I love my Sony! I was not alone in this sale. I even waited over a month to finaly get the drive from Dell.

$308 - 10% - $25 = $256 - $50 = $206.00

I was at the right spot at the right time. Which you have to be with sales. Some even got better deals from Dell on the Sony.

[lukesjr]

i own both. both are good drives.

The Sony is a better drive, without debate. it has a larger read buffer and is more compatible, ie. all formats. however i have never burned a +r with it, see no reason to, right now.

saying this, i would probably get the pioneer. its cheaper, i have never burned anything but -r, i think it burns faster than the sony, although it doesnt support my accus at 2x.

for the same price, or even 30$ more i would get the sony.