Optorite DD0203 DVD -rw+rw- $187 includes shipping ?

[jolo]

I have seen a Optorite DVD rewriteable drive for under $200.00
http://www.optorite.com/products.htm
It does +-RW at 4x, 8 MB internal buffer.

Can anyone tell me why anyone should pay more for a Pioneer or a Sony ? I've look at the specs and software an I can't figure out why the "big names" are better ?

It appears like the best value out there.

I see it here http://www.maincomp.com/shop/product.jsp?id=396&pw= For $187.00 which includes shipping.

Your thoughts ?

[Bob W]

The price is $180 now. I don't see any reason not to buy this burner. In fact I wish I had waited and not paid $350 for my Sony.

[FLASH397]

wait until LiteOn's DVD -+ RW drive with 8MB cache drops below $200.. that will be well worth the wait

[jolo]

Thanks a lot. Please keep that feedback flying.

Bob,

I have heard remarks about the Sony all over the place and have problems with it posted all over on hardware AND software forums.

FLASH397,

I have just heard from a Lite-On user that all Lite-ons have only 2MG cache and cache does not make any different on CD or DVD drives (honest).
Since I have used Pioneer, Teac and Samsung and a slew of no-names in the past, but never Lite-on. Why would waiting for an upgrade on the Lite-on be worth waiting for.
I am always skeptical about waiting for a product which is not out yet. Please tell me why it would be better than the Optorite (or MSI, same thing).

Jon

[indolikaa]

I just purchased the same recorder recently. I have no complaints, as I have no Optorite coasters for sale at this time! I've made 82 discs so far with no failures.

There are two things this drive doesn't support: DVD-RAM and Mt. Rainier Easywrite. DVD-RAM is not an issue for me, and Mt. Rainier is available in my ASUS burner.

Looks to be a solid burner.

[jolo]

indolikaa,

Sounds great to me !!

Indolikaa, I would like to ask you a few questions about the Optorite DD0203.

1. I have seen Mt. Ranier mentioned a few times, what exactly is that and how does it limit the DD0203 ? Oh, yes, I read somewhere that there is a driver for the DD0203 which allows for the Mt. Ranier support. I have wrote to Optorite support to confirm that.

2. Have you used the HD-BURN software for burning CDs ? Does it really allow for double to data on a CD ?

3. The DVD-RAM thing. Please help me on this one. I don't know what the heck that is, but it appears that just about NO DVD writer supports this.


Thanks

[indolikaa]

Well good morning!

1) Mt. Rainier (also called Easywrite) is the 'new and improved' packet writing format, which some in the industry claim will replace UDF 1.5 (DirectCD by Roxio/Adaptec, InCD by Nero, etc). Mt Rainier features format on the fly (true drag and drop capability), the addition of physical defect management (lacking in the UDF 1.5 standard) and direct integration into the OS (it's part of Windows, so no more third-party programs running in the system tray).

I don't know if Mt. Rainier has been integrated into any Windows version or update, yet. As far as a driver, my guess is Optorite will release a firmware upgrade when they are ready. The symbol for a supported drive is supposed to be CD-MRW.

2) Not yet. HD-Burn would be a very useful addition for me. I would love to backup all these movies and videos I'm transferring to HD-Burn discs as a .mpg file. I should have test results on HD-Burn by tomorrow.

3) If I may quote dvdrhelp.com, "DVD-RAM has the best recording eatures but it is not compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players. Think more of it as a removable hard disk. DVD-RAM is usually used in some DVD Recorders." You can get DVD-RAM blanks eitehr in a protective shell or without the protective shell. Also, some home DVD recorders use DVD-RAM, but apparently that doesn't mean they support any DVD-RAM burned on a PC recorder.

Hope this helps!

[jolo]

Thanks for the reply indolikaa,

What you described is what gives me a "love/hate" relationship with the multimedia world. I am in the business IT world, and so much of the creativity and has been removed.
My hobby is this multimedia stuff because there is so much creativity, figuring out, discovery, 100 ways of doing the same thing and new possibilities coming out daily.
What frustrates is that there always seems to be a reason to wait in some new standard for format. Grrrr. It appears to me though that a lack of integration of features is due to vendors fighting it out and trying to control the market place.

It also appears that it is evolving like the CDs which have become seem to me more fun that the DVDs. There it appears that it is more about the software and creative ways of doing things. But DVD writing is very immature. What I'm scared of is that you might get a DVD writer with many features , but then try to play them on a standalone DVD player that you purchased yesterday, and it won't work. I am getting an affection for staying away from "big name" DVD players (I have three DVD players from Cyberhome and one from Mintek). I also have a Panasonic which I don't use anymore because it lacks the flexibility of my others ones.

This is one of the reasons I thinking about trying to stay away from a "big" name DVD writer currently. With techniques and standards changing so much, I would like very much to have a DVD writer, I don't want to commit $350 to a product that might be obsoleted in three to 6 months. Also, I feel that there is more potential with going with a vendor that is NOT involved in the fight for control, but it more about attempting to see what the consumer needs and wants. I have the feeling that they might be more flexibile with firmware in the future.

Bottom line for me is that the Mt. Ranier is an important feature. The DVD-RAM, I am going to wait on., especially from the quote from vcdhelp that you posted "not compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players.".
MORE botton line and to me the most important thing you have verified for me is that you have burn over 80 DVDs with no coasters !! Bingo, inexpensive and reliable for hat it DOES do.

indolikaa my friend, just one more thing. What software are you using to burn your DVDs. Also, I can't wait to hear about your experiment with HD-Burn. At .25 per CD, I might wind up using that for most of my burning.

Thanks for the info, the Optorite sounds like a solid buy !!.

Jon

[indolikaa]

Standards? In this industry? Nah!

DVD-R and DVD+R are pretty much universal, unless the DVD player is question predates 2000. I haven't had any issues, nor have any friends and family who play either discs. Most have the el-cheapo (Apex is the favorite) player that will play anything.

I use DVDit! LE for DVD video burning. It came with my Dazzle DVC-II. I use B's Recorder, Nero, VCDEasy and Adaptec 4 for CDs, depending on what kind of stuff is being burned.

I haven't experimented with any other DVD solutions yet. Right now, it's crank the VHS tapes throught the Dazzle and throw them on DVD. Very little processing/enhancement, just Cut and Paste.

Stand by on HD-Burn. I'm movin' files over right now...

[vric]

wait until LiteOn's DVD -+ RW drive with 8MB cache drops below $200.. that will be well worth the wait

liteon drive is just a Rebadged Sony.. I don't see why someone should buy this.

Optorite look good.. it's now a Rebadged sony or Nec.. don't know the real brand of this drive ?!?!

[indolikaa]

@vric
Optorite is a Sanyo engine.

@jolo.
No luck on the HD-Burn. Updated the software and firmware. Fired off an e-mail to tech support at Optorite. Bet even money this feature isn't "available" quite yet on the software end. Their update still didn't show the drive.

Burns DVD±R/W, CD-R/W fine after updates.

[dsa44]

I am curious what dvd media has worked well in this drive. I tried some Legacy dvd-rw 4.7 gb and the drive did not initialize or recognize the media. I had no problems with Optodisc silver dvd-r. I would prefer using /rw media first to check my work. Any luck with a specific -/+ rw media?

Thanks

[zanos]

I suggest everyone go to resellerratings.com before buying any hardware from anyone. Btw can anyone confirm who makes this writer?

[Bhola]

I am not familier with this company. Do they sell this writer in Usa? if so what about support? I just visited there website and looks like they do not have any formal support in USA? -B

[jolo]

I have read the the Optortie DD0203 is made by Accesstek, therefore same drive. Optorite is their brand name , and this model uses the Sanyo solution.

About HD-Burn : HD burn issue, the BHA(B's Gold ) Has improvement the bugs after version 5.32 . and we had release all 8MB buffer size for software after F/W version 2.09 . if software can support it !

The DVD-R media can support but some kinds made in Taiwan , but we will keep improvement to cover them .

This is directly from Mark - Accesstek CSD. His e-mail is here marktu [marktu@accesstek.com.tw]

Apparently from others I have read, for HD-Burn and apparently others, use Fuji, Takiyo, Sony and other good Japanese CDs, which is a good practice anyway.

Jon

[indolikaa]

I am curious what dvd media has worked well in this drive. I tried some Legacy dvd-rw 4.7 gb and the drive did not initialize or recognize the media. I had no problems with Optodisc silver dvd-r. I would prefer using /rw media first to check my work. Any luck with a specific -/+ rw media?

I only use Memorex media. Of the hundreds? thousands? of CDs and DVDs I've burned I've made maybe 5 coasters that weren't my fault. I'm a brand-name, retail-box type of guy. In most cases. So far, no problems with any Memorex media in this drive.

A friend of mine that is new to dvdrhelp.com but has probably burned more discs than I have gets his stuff from allmediaoutlet.com. Swears by them.

.indolikaa.

[jolo]

I just made two coasters with my Memorex CDs using Record Now when burning audio CDs. Replaced them with my Fuji which I know are made by Taiyo Yuden and they worked fine. Made in Japan.

I am not sure about the Memorex CDs, but the Memorex that I have are made by Prodisk in Taiwan. They are white on top.

I have another batch I just got on sale, Memorex, CD-R, 48x speed and THEY are made by CMC Magnestics Corp. IN Taiwan.

Jon

[indolikaa]

I find it hard to judge media. I almost never burn CD-Rs faster than 8x and DVD±R/Ws faster than 1X, so that may contribute to my success. I do, however, burn CD-RWs at 10-12X regularly. Therefore, I only feel like I know what I'm talking about when it comes to HS-RWs and in that case, the Memorex rock!

My wife bought a cake of 50 Memorex CD-Rs last weekend. They were in a purple-sleeved container at Wal-Mart. I'm at work so I don't know for sure, but I think they were 48X. If this is what you got, let me know how well they work.

.indolikaa.

Apparently from others I have read, for HD-Burn and apparently others, use Fuji, Takiyo, Sony and other good Japanese CDs, which is a good practice anyway.

Well I don't know much about determining origin/maker of CDs and DVDs. Guess its time to hit the dvdrhelp.com books again, ain't it?