Best Buy closing out the Sony DRU-500A?

[aubrey_q]

I was told by two different salespersons of the computer department at a local Best Buy that the Sony DRU-500A is on closeout and Best Buy will only stock the external version. They said it doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with the drive.

I was wondering if any of you had heard anything similar. Thanks.

Aubrey

[bumblebe]

any good deals ?

[Investigator]

Sony will be introducing an upgraded version of the DRU500A in mid-December. Best Buy is just getting rid of the old units in preparation for the new ones.

[bumblebe]

Upgraded version with the "fixed hardware"?
Is it anything more than a rumor at this point?

[torbanac]

I just checked with our comapny rep at Insight ( I am a corporate buyer)and they won't have any stock until December 16th. After checking with CDW and Warehouse they are all in the same boat, no stock expecting orders to come in. I hope it's an upgraded version. Please post if you know.

[hxc3634]

I guess the upgrade version may simply have firmware 1.0e. The new firmware is very important for the reputation of DRU500. 2x to 4x DVD+R writing speed.

[Investigator]

TECHTV announced the upgrade to the DRU500A last week. They stated it would be mid December.

[edthesped]

TECHTV announced the upgrade to the DRU500A last week. They stated it would be mid December.

Did they elaborate on the upgrade? Will it be firmware, or a new drive revision? If it's a new drive revision I might consider returning my $254 Dell purchase.

[VEFF]

Why would there be an "upgraded" version (whatever that even means)
of a drive that has only been out since mid October?

I doubt it is just a new firmware.
However, I didn't see the article, so I don't know how the word 'upgrade' was used...

I am concerned about this.
Does anyone have any details on exactly what this upgrade entails?

Thanks!

[edthesped]

I'm with you Veff, if there is an "upgraded" version coming so soon it can only mean there is a problem.

Another thought just occurred to me though. Maybe they are going to advertise the "New and improved" DRU500a with 4x DVD+R writing capabilities. If that is the case it would just be a firmware and packaging upgrade.

[tonyp12]

If it is only a New retail box with the word 4x DVD+R
and the latest firmware.

Probably could get a good deal on the "old" dru500a and
do the firmware upgrade yourself.


I have look all over the web to see if the hardware have been
upgraded, can not find any info about that.

And will the new drive be called dru500b ???

[Investigator]

I got the impression that it was going to be an equipment upgrade, and the fact that Best Buy is clearing out their remaining stock would tend to back up that assumption.
Tech TV people were really impressed with the unit, but mentioned that the upgrade was coming.

[bumblebe]

yes and the fact that there's an "industry rumour" that the problems that have plagued the current model can only be fixed with a hardware upgrade...

[Aerohead]

I'm curious ... what are the main problems plauging the current model that would require a hardware fix? From everything I've read, most of the problems people are having with this drive are due to using cheaper media or with recording utilities that haven't been upgraded to work with the DRU500a. I haven't noticed any problems with mine, but I'd like to know what to look out for if there is truly a problem.

[Thwiipp]

Ok let me squash all these rumours now before it gets out of hand, i spoke to my cousin who happens to work for Sony's Product development department, and this other vesion is just the same exact drive with the firmware upgraded and different packaging to advertise the 4x DVD+R capability. its just a PR move to sell more units, they are pulling the other one off the shelves to avoid confusion and are going to flash those drives with the new firmware and repackage them. So there really is no advantage to buying the "old" version because your gonna pay exactly the same amount.

[aubrey_q]

Well, folks, especially Thwiipp, I really appreciate your info. I'll wait for the new "re-packaged" drive.

[VEFF]

Ok let me squash all these rumours now before it gets out of hand, i spoke to my cousin who happens to work for Sony's Product development department, and this other vesion is just the same exact drive with the firmware upgraded and different packaging to advertise the 4x DVD+R capability. its just a PR move to sell more units, they are pulling the other one off the shelves to avoid confusion and are going to flash those drives with the new firmware and repackage them. So there really is no advantage to buying the "old" version because your gonna pay exactly the same amount.

Thanks a lot for alleviating our concerns Thwiipp!
(I hadn't had any problems myself anyway, but the original news still made me nervous when I first heard about it).

[crimpshrine]

Yea I confirmed with Sony on the phone today.

They said the model # would not change.

Which makes sense since we can upgrade to 4x + support.

[vinchi007]

THanx for clerifications. I wanted to get the drive but couldn't find it in stores. They must be eager to replace the current ones with the updated NEW ones.

[aubrey_q]

Crimpshrine:

Thanks for confirming that the model # would not change. I was wondering about that because the Sony rebate is specific about the model number.

Aubrey

[edthesped]

Maybe it is bad, from meritline.com,

NOTE: This new drive is not in stock and will not be availabile until next year due to the technical issues with this drive. This drive is not compatible with many medias including their own Sony brand DVD-R, so Sony has recently recalled some of the DRU-500A back! For the protection of Meritline customers, we decided not to ship this drive until the problem is resolved

http://www.meritline.com/sondru5dualr.html
at the bottom of the page, in red.

I borrowed the information from here,
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?s=617ffea6af6b933fb886abeb3ba08508&threadid=59769

I'm losing that warm and fuzzy feeling. However, I must say I have yet to have a problem with my unit. Knock Knock Knock!!!

[crimpshrine]

Maybe it is bad, from meritline.com,

NOTE: This new drive is not in stock and will not be availabile until next year due to the technical issues with this drive. This drive is not compatible with many medias including their own Sony brand DVD-R, so Sony has recently recalled some of the DRU-500A back! For the protection of Meritline customers, we decided not to ship this drive until the problem is resolved

http://www.meritline.com/sondru5dualr.html
at the bottom of the page, in red.

I borrowed the information from here,
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?s=617ffea6af6b933fb886abeb3ba08508&threadid=59769

I'm losing that warm and fuzzy feeling. However, I must say I have yet to have a problem with my unit. Knock Knock Knock!!!

I don't think they are an authorized dealer. Maybe they just heard some speculation made by their distributor.

I am going to ask Sony about that tomorrow.

I highly doubt it is true, if Meritline is the only one that is saying that.

And if Sony really did do any kind of recall you would see it first at a place that actually sells the Sony product lines first I would think. Not some middle man that Sony doesnt even know about.

Like Best Buy or Office Max or Comp USA.

I hate when the FUD sets in

Anyone happen to know if that Meritline blurb was on their site BEFORE the last firmware came out? If so that would explain..

[aubrey_q]

Crimpshine, I agree with you. The Mertiline remarks seem, at best, unprofessional. Particularly the line "This drive is not compatible with many medias including their own Sony brand DVD-R, so Sony has recently recalled some of the DRU-500A back!". You would think it could have been worded better and less inflammatory.

I know, I know. My words read as if I'm kissing Sony's butt, but I've read nothing but good things about the Sony, so I can't imagine the drive being THAT problematic. Perhaps Sony has a higher set of standards than Pioneer?

[edthesped]

I really like my Sony but I've only burned about 10 disks so far so I can't speak definitively about compatability. I can say that I've successfully burned the following brands with it,
Sony DVD+RW
Verbatium DVD+R
Memorex DVD-RW (only burns at 1x)
Memorex DVD+RW
allmediaoutlets 2x DVD-R (part # P-DVD-R/2XP25)

I haven't had any burning issues or coasters yet so I am happy and I can only assume some problem won't creep up on me after my return period ends.

I can't afford to buy other media so I have to rely on reports here as to whether or not the Sony has any issues.

[crimpshrine]

I just got off the phone with Sony and they said no recall.

Had it confirmed with managment. (At least from what I was told and put on hold)

They told me again they had no plans on having any drive soon to replace the DRU-500A.

So Meritline must be spreading FUD. Assuming Sony told me the truth, which I don't see why they would not.

And like others when I bought my drive it had the older firmware, I updated to 1.0d and have had 0 problems with any media I have tried.

This must envelope the pre 1.0d firmware issues. (Meritlines posting)

I will try and call them later and ask.

[edthesped]

I accessed Sony's online web support and referenced the meritline statement, I also supplied the link. The tech read the link and said she would "escalate" the web site and assured me there was nothing wrong with the drive.

[VEFF]

Crimpshine, I agree with you. The Mertiline remarks seem, at best, unprofessional. Particularly the line "This drive is not compatible with many medias including their own Sony brand DVD-R, so Sony has recently recalled some of the DRU-500A back!". You would think it could have been worded better and less inflammatory.

I know, I know. My words read as if I'm kissing Sony's butt, but I've read nothing but good things about the Sony, so I can't imagine the drive being THAT problematic. Perhaps Sony has a higher set of standards than Pioneer?

I just noticed that the Meritline comment says SOME drives (maybe those that were or not yet distributed to the retail channel?) were recalled.
This leads us back to the new version of the drive that was mentioned here a few days ago by someone.
This drive will reportedly simply have a new firmware BUILT-IN and new packaging to reflect the 4X DVD+R write speed built-in.
Hopefully, as someone suggested, that is the only difference between the current drive and the "new" drive.

I wouldn't be surprised if the meritline comment gets edited for clarity.

I hope someone can get to the bottom of this to be 100% sure.

[crimpshrine]

Crimpshine, I agree with you. The Mertiline remarks seem, at best, unprofessional. Particularly the line "This drive is not compatible with many medias including their own Sony brand DVD-R, so Sony has recently recalled some of the DRU-500A back!". You would think it could have been worded better and less inflammatory.

I know, I know. My words read as if I'm kissing Sony's butt, but I've read nothing but good things about the Sony, so I can't imagine the drive being THAT problematic. Perhaps Sony has a higher set of standards than Pioneer?

I just noticed that the Meritline comment says SOME drives (maybe those that were or not yet distributed to the retail channel?) were recalled.
This leads us back to the new version of the drive that was mentioned here a few days ago by someone.
This drive will reportedly simply have a new firmware BUILT-IN and new packaging to reflect the 4X DVD+R write speed built-in.
Hopefully, as someone suggested, that is the only difference between the current drive and the "new" drive.

I wouldn't be surprised if the meritline comment gets edited for clarity.

I hope someone can get to the bottom of this to be 100% sure.

Sony claimed NO drives were recalled.

I forgot to add they wanted meritlines website address when I talked to them.

When I called Meritline, they had no idea why they had that on their website. They said it was marketing that did it. So it's probably all FUD.

Oh also, the Best buys in my area are now getting the internal DRU500a in. They only used to carry the external. (The web site even says not available in local stores for the internal)

They say they are expecting more to keep coming in. One sold all 4 yesterday.

Who knows with them though, they are 60% wrong with my experiences.

[edthesped]

Surprise surprise, the FUD at meritline.com is gone. It looks like they are back to selling the drive again.

[vinchi007]

yep, I've seen no info now on their website with that statement. They took it off

PS What Best Buy were you talking about. I checked my local Best Buy and they didn't have any. I checked CompUSA, Circuit City and J&R and bunch of others. They are all sold out and promiss to have the drive in 1-3+ weeks. The earliest promissed date I got at J&R so I'll check in Monday and see if they got one.