Sony DRU500A... where was yours made?

[w00tski]

Just wondering some people think that the quality of sony has degraded over the years and that only their stuff from japan still has the quality sony used to have. (ie stuff made from taiwan etc not as good). I was reconfiguring my machine today when i noticed my drive was made in japan. I then remembered some saying the build quality of the DRU500a's isnt as good as the pioneers. I dont think this is true, but it got me wondering, which country was your dru500a/ax drive's made in?

[artemio]

My DRX500UL come from Japan. I bought it in Italy.

A.

[HyperYagami]

Just wondering some people think that the quality of sony has degraded over the years and that only their stuff from japan still has the quality sony used to have. (ie stuff made from taiwan etc not as good). I was reconfiguring my machine today when i noticed my drive was made in japan. I then remembered some saying the build quality of the DRU500a's isnt as good as the pioneers. I dont think this is true, but it got me wondering, which country was your dru500a/ax drive's made in?

reported: japan and malaysia

mine: dru500a, dec 2002, japan

I saw: dru500ax, (probably) jan 2003, malaysia

[Mythos2002]

It's a tough call between Sony and Pioneer. I think it depends on the product. I don't have a Sony DRU500AX yet, but I'm thinking of getting one. I know Pioneer made better LD Players than Sony. I am also not happy with my Sony DVD-Rom Drive. I don't own a Sony DVD Player, but I am very happy with the Pioneer I own. I understand that Sony makes some of the best DVD Players though. As far as DVD Players go, I think both Sony and Pioneer had some bad models.

As far as DVD-Rom, I would rather have a Pioneer. As far as DVD Burners, I'm still debating. I like the dual formatting the Sony DRU-500AX can provide, but I don't know if it is necessary. I still have to research the -R drives to see what software they have. I don't know if the software is a big issue if all drives come with the same software. Also, I've seen many complaints about the software that comes with the Sony. I also have to see who is winning the format war, +R or -R. I have to do more research, but I'm leaning towards getting a Cendyne (sp?) or Pioneer -R burning for now and getting a +R/-R burner when the prices are considerably lower. One question I have is: Can I make a -R DVD, rip it back to the hard drive and make a +R DVD from the hard drive if I ever get a +R Burner?

One other thing I have to see is if there are any advantages to +R besides the compatibility claims. I have two DVD Players (Toshiba SD-3108 and Pioneer DV-525). I believe the Pioneer will play both, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Toshiba would not play either.

Mythos

[Smile_M]

SONY DRU-500AX
Date: 09 February 2003
Made in: Malaysia

Works fine I've tried Verbatim + and -; Cursor -; Princo -;

[HyperYagami]

I also have to see who is winning the format war, +R or -R.

that will never happen. too many products have been sold for each camp and it's like no turning back now. even when that happens, everyone will be using blu-ray already.