Which drive to get Sony or Pioneer?

[roxics]

I'll be buying my first DVD burner soon and I'm looking at both the Sony DRU500AX and the Pioneer 105. They seem to get the best reviews.

I can't see ever using the Rewrite ability on either since I never use RW disks in my CDRW drive now. Plus it seems I'll probably be burning -R disks the most since they seem to be the most compatible. So with that in mind my question is this. Is it worth the extra $50-70 for the Sony drive if you're not sure you'll ever use the +R feature?

From what I gather reading here both these drives are pretty compatible but is one more compatible with cheap -R media then another?

Thanks

[MOVIEGEEK]

I have the Sony DRU-500A and it works great,but if all you're going to make is -R then I would get the Pioneer and save some money.If i'm not mistaken the new firmware for the Pioneer 105/A05 allows 4x writing.

[mysterio1]

Get the Pioneer, Sony's is way over priced why do you want to write to + media when their 3 times the price of - media. The sony is a nice drive but not worth that kind of money.

[rhegedus]

Rather depends if you're worried about compatibility with your current or future DVD player. You'd be kicking yourself if you saw a good DVD player in the sales at 50% if you couldn't use it because it only read +R/RW.

I held off buying a DVD burner for 6 months becuase the Sony was coming out. I have not been disappointed.

Regards,

Rob

[Seraphic]

If your buying the Sony for Compatibility I think that is wrong and Expensive. By the time if ever it will happen that + or - become the standard DVD writers will be available that will be much faster and cheaper. Sony is a good machine, sharp looking too but way over rated with this futureproof speeches. Come on folks how can 4x writing speeds be futureproof? Still using your 4x CD-R? I didn't think so when you can go and get a 52x CD-R for $50 anywhere.

Why spend $200 more now? Get a cheap 4x DVD-R or 2.4x DVD+R for under $200 on promotion just about everywhere.

I went for $150 Cendyne 4x Staples Deal cause it was cheap and the media was also the cheapest. Me worry? nah.

[rhegedus]

The point is that he may have or might get a DVD player that is not compatible with a burner he buys now. As for CDR/CDRW speeds, I don't know of anyone who hasn't already got a CD burner so he'd be better of using that than his DVD burner for such 'mundane' tasks. Incidentally, if you look at the dvd writers section, the Sony is quicker than the Pioneer at both CDR and CDRW.

Regards,

Rob

[mysterio1]

Th Cendyne is a pioneer 105

And I dont think the Sony has a faster Cd burner I write at 16X with my 105.

[rhegedus]

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters

Sony:4xDVD+R, 2.4xDVD+RW, 4xDVD-R, 2xDVD-RW, 24xCD-R, 10xCD-RW
Pioneer:4xDVD-R, 2xDVD-RW, 16xCDR, 8xCDRW

You do the maths.....

Regards,

Rob

[malducci]

If I remember correctly, the Sony unit burners CD-R's up to 24x - not sure about CDRW. But I agree that most people have a cd burner already. If you can find a friend that is an employee who can get the drive as cost, then I would definitely go with the sony. The cost on this Sony DRU500a and DRU500ax is $284. Even at $349, my work can not keep them in stock.

Malducci

[jolo]

As Seraphic mentioned,

For me it would be Sony versus Cendyne, since it is a Pioneer 105. The extends the price difference.

I am about ready to make the jump to upgreade my Pioneer 106s DVD reader to the Cendyne.

I still will keep my 40x Teac CD reader/writer

I am interesting in hearing aboutr compatability with stand-alone DVD players.

For me, I really would like a DVD Writer, but I don't want to invest to much in a technology that I expect to change pretty radically in the next year.

I would put the extra money that I would save no not getting the Sony away and have a feeling we will see a bunch of lower cost DVD writers coming out in the next. If the money was equal, or within 10%, I would get the Sony, but since it isn't, for me, the Cendyne looks like the best bang for the buck right now.

Jon

[sullen]

Just my 2 cents:

I own the Cendyne/Pioneer. I am personally a fan of Pioneer equipment and bought a Pioneer DVD player before Apex and most of the other companies came out with good players, because at the time Pioneer players could play damn near anything. I have a Pioneer C302D, check out my review, which I bought as a DISPLAY from Sears. Ever since it has served me well. There are only three things the Pioneer won't play- mini-DVD, mp3, and DVD+R/W. Everything else plays perfect including PAL stuff.

So being a Pioneer person I obviously checked out the Cendyne/Pioneer 105 and compared it to the Sony. There are two main differences- +R/W compatability and the faster CDR/W speeds. I personally don't care about the faster CDR speeds anymore because with a DVD writer I now do projects on DVD that I mainly did on CDR previously. Once in a great while I will burn a CD, but usually it is full of mp3s because I have an mp3 deck in my car.

Experience goes a long way. I have had Sony equipment in the past that was junk. Sony really does expand the technology that is available and pushes the envelop, but they also limit themselves by relying on that innovation too much. MD? Cool, but really a losing product in the US. SACD? Has never gained in any market that I have seen, even the tech crazy Asian market. Memory stick? Almost only with Sony stuff because most use CDR, flash, or other portable memory.

In the end it came down to the Pioneer 105 working with my equipment and did what I wanted which was burn a whole disc in 15 minutes or less. Granted compared to a CD that is a long time, but for a DVD...that is amazing in my book.

Again, just my 2 cents.

[Seraphic]

I think you misunderstood my ANALOGY with CD-R writers. I was not talking about DVD writers CD-R performance but merely stated that technology is extremely fast paced. Thus making references to how fast CD-R writers went from 4x to 52x and went from slow high cost to fast low cost. So if a Dual writer owner tells me well what are you going to do if DVD-R disappears from the face of the planet and DVD+R reigns supreme? I say" I'll just go buy a $99 48x DVD+R writer when the time comes. IF it comes

Secondly if your worried about compatibility with settop dvd players that you will buy in the near future well don't you just bring a bunch of your examples of wriiten media from your burner to the merchants showroom and get them to demo your burnt DVD's in their DVD players. Not so complicated is it.

If you like SONY then get sony no biggie. My argument stands just the same that Defending your purchase of a Dual drive for reasons of Future proof is hog wash when all the drives are slow at writing DVD anyways. yes 15mins is still to slow. 5mins would be better.

Blu ray will blow all these low rent writers away anyways

[rhegedus]

I UNDERSTAND your analogy, but future developments or technology advances will always be a reason NOT to buy something.

BlueRay has been talked about for nearly a year now, and it is still not available. I think it is safe to say we can wait a few more years. Incidentally, blueray writers for consumers like us are waaaay off: how long after the first DVD drives for PCs did the DVD burners appear, and for how much were they retailing? Get my drift?

BlueRay will also be backwards compatible, so anything burned now will be read by it in years to come.

I totally agree with the advice about trying a few disks when buying a new dvd player - I made sure that mine plays all formats. But it doesn't account for any players roxics or his friends already have.

Looking at current prices, -R media looks to be dirt cheap, so it pushes the argument in favour of the Pioneer/Cendyne (just think of how many disks you could buy for the difference in price of the Sony!). However, the -R/+R prices seem to be converging and, here in the UK, 4x DVD+R is available for not much more than 2x DVD-R.

I'm not sure about US prices but, here in the UK the Sony is only £50 more than the Pioneer (£250 vs £200). Is it really worth limiting your capabilities for the price of a 'night on the town'?

Regards,

Rob

[Erwin]

Either one is good. But if you are worried about the future of DVD-R or DVD+R, get the SONY.

[Roy2001]

1. DVD-R/RW format works for me. I can play DVD-R on my DVD players, XBOX and DVD ROMs.

2. DVD-R media is cheaper, at least compare to DVD+R.

3. Even CD writing is important to you, 16x means 5 min for 650M data and 24x means 4 min. Who cares that 1 minute?

4. Pioneer/Cendyne drive is MUCH cheaper than SONY driver. You can get it for under $150 now, but for SONY one you have to make sure that they have in stock first, then pay MSRP for the extra, stupid DVD+R capability.

Yes, that format is stupid. SONY created CD format to collect royal fee and they succeeded. Then they created memory stick format and it is good. But no one will use it as there are many free formats. Now when DVD forum already create the DVD-R format like CD-R, SONY just don't like to pay DVD forum royal fee and created the stupid DVD+ format. Sorry SONY, I will avoid you as I can. Until now I only bought one SONY camcorder. That's all SONY prodect I have.

[w00tski]

Blue ray is what dvd is to cd. Its a totally new technology. I dont see how it really is relevant to this article. Yes new technology comes out all the time, but people decide to make a stand and say i want this product, now for my needs.

As for the Sony Vs Pioneer argument, If you got hte money to spend, grab the sony. If you wanna save a bit, grab the pioneer. At the MOMENT, DVD-R media seems to be winning the war popularity-wise, and for the forseeable future, DVD-R is the way to go. But this doesnt mean DVD+R will fail. DVD+R media is falling in price. Price dictates what is popular, atm DVD-R is cheaper, so we favour this format.

Compatability, DVD-R is better? From what ive read, DVD+R has better reflectivity than DVD-R. And from what i noticed about my DVD-ROM drive, i think this may be true. The drive is spec'd to read DVD-R discs, yet it wont. However it does read DVD+RW discs without a problem even thou DVD+RW didnt even exist when this drive was made (Hitachi GD5000).

Also I think seraphic is spot-on with his analogy. Buy another quicker/cheaper drive in the future to meet your needs, If say DVD+RW were to become the dominant format, and i think if the media came down in price significantly, then it could actually happen.

Given that thought, i would have gone for the pioneer drive instead of the sony due to the fact that in about 2 years the drive would probably be replaced with something quarter of the price and 6-7x the speed. (History repeating itself from 4x CD-R @$650 AU to 24x CD-RW @ $180AU).

For dvd writers in general, i do hope that dual-format burners become the norm. This would ultimately be the best option IMO.

[jolo]

This is a great discussion where everyone is correct !!!! It is not a right or wrong situation.

I have to agree that more and more, price is everything, especially in the corporate arena.
PC equipment is thought more and more of as a consumable.
I feel that technological advances are way over-rated. Useability, durability, compatability, reliability, functionality and above all price are the most important. If a new technology is not cost effective, it is rather meaningless.
About Sony, they tend to over priced, and the have had some major successes in the past. For example, who would have throught they would take over the overwhelming majority of the video game market as a late comer.

I love their memory stick technology. I understand that the next batch comming out will be in the GB range.

After a number of years of having a PDA, they came out with a line of low to middle of the road PDNs that they can't be selling for a profit, but are way superior to their competators as far as price/performance issues go.
But they did come out with the Beta format VCRs, etc.

If I had the money to play with, I'd get the Sony but for me, price/performance wise, it is too much. I'd probably also get a Sony TV, but too much for my blood. Heck, I won't get HDTV yet either.

On the DVD choices, if one gets the Sony or the Cendyne/Pioneer, they can't go wrong.

Jon

[Seraphic]

BlueRay has been talked about for nearly a year now, and it is still not available. I think it is safe to say we can wait a few more years. Incidentally, blueray writers for consumers like us are waaaay off: how long after the first DVD drives for PCs did the DVD burners appear, and for how much were they retailing? Get my drift?

BlueRay will also be backwards compatible, so anything burned now will be read by it in years to come.

Regards,

Rob

Looks like Sony will be the first on Block in Japan with Blu Ray consumer products. Even though DVD is a blessing I still find it a chore to back uo 120 gb with 4.3gb DVD-RW discs. 4 x 27GB Blu Ray DVD-RW would be Much better.

Quote" At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, Sony Chief Operating Officer Kunitake Ando said recordable DVD Blu-ray Disc products will likely appear this year, initially in Japan. Ando said the technology is ready, but some licensing issues still need to be worked out."

http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-984520.html


Now this Sony would be worth the bucks they ask for err.... unless Pioneer sells for half the price

[MOVIEGEEK]

From zdnet:
The nine companies promoting Blu-ray Disc technology--a next-generation recordable DVD format using blue-violet lasers--announced Thursday that licensing will begin Feb. 17. Blu-ray Disc technology allows for 27GB storage capacities on a single-sided 12cm disc. DVDs hold 4.7GB of data.
Imagine.....3 DVD-9 movies on one disk.

[Tbear]

I can't see ever using the Rewrite ability on either since I never use RW disks in my CDRW drive now.

If you plan on backing up your DVD collection. You will want to use an /RW. To avoid making coasters. I do a test burn for every movie. Takes a little longer, but have not made coasters. I use the +RW for this as the burn at 2.4x @24 min compared to -RW at 1x and 60 min burn time.

Both drives are good. I got the Sony when it first came out. Dell had a good deal on them . Many of us here got them then. It's your choice and your money. Either will do the job for you.

[Coop]

I agree with Tbear -

The rewritable option lets you do test burns without having to pay for more media, which isn't exactly cheap right now when compared to CD's. I find it invaluable for "test burns", as DVD playback on TV vs PC isn't quite the same.

After some initial heartburn, I will say I'm very happy with the DRU500 because of it's flexibility (and for me anyway) burning stability.

[roxics]

Thank you everyone, you all put up a good fight.

It looks like I'll be going for the cendyne dvr-105. Does anyone know where I can get one at a great price in the US? I see you guys saying I can get one for $150-200 bucks but figuring ebay would be the cheapest they seem to go for at least $220 plus shipping on there. So where are the better deals?

Just to fill in the blanks. I'm not so concerned about the future proofing of the format as much as I am about compatiblity with past players. I will be using the drive to burn movies I make (I'm an indie filmmaker) so i'd like something where I can use dirt cheap reliable media so I can sell off my films for a few bucks or give them away as promotions. But I don't want to worry about whether or not people will be able to play the disks. Though I understand some won't be able to. A risk you have to take with either format.

As for myself I have an Apex 1200 and a Panasonic settop player. Both play CD-R's, VCD-R's and Mp3's just fine. So I would think they will be fine with DVD-R's. On the other hand a buddy of mine has a Samsung that says it plays VCD's but won't play the one's we make. This leads me to believe his player is like my old Toshiba which just doesn't like any kind of burned media. Unfortunate that some of these drives exist. But this leads me to another question. Which is more compatible a VCD-R or a DVD-R when it comes to set top players?

As far as CD-R's... well I'm still using an old HP 4x and haven't had any complaints, so if this cendyne does 16x then I'll be smiling all the way.

[jolo]

Unless someone came up with a better way, if you go to this site :

http://dealcoupon.com/merchants/staples.com.html
Then you can get a $50.00 coupon for phone orders of over $200.00, which the cendyne would be.

Then, from cendyne, you get a rebate. With the coupon and the rebate togetherm the price comes to $150.00

Jon

[roxics]

Hmm..I'm not so big on these coupon deals. From what I understand after you wait the 6-8 weeks you may never even receive the rebate. I'd rather pay straight up.

There is a computer expo this weekend at a near by indoor flea market. They usually have alright deals. Not to mention a few swindles if you don't know what you're stuff. Maybe I'll be able to find one there at a good price. These small time vendors at these places usually stock up on these off brands type products.

[jolo]

The coupons on the Internet are great. The money for the unit is taken off immediately, nothing to wait for. If I purchase something on Amazon or some other place, I always look for a coupon first. Usually it is as easy as typing in a number. The rebate thing is another story. I hate them as well.

Jon

[Greg12]

I have a Sony here next to me and it's a wonderful wonderful drive.


It burns -R/+R at 4x

-RW/+RW at 2x and 2.4X

It bruns CD-R at 24x and CD-RW at 10x.

[Tbear]

Staples has the CenDyne Drive on sale this week 189.94 after mail in rebate www.staples.com

[jolo]

Tbear,

If you combine the coupon and the rebate, you get it for $150.00

[Tbear]

I was just going by their ad in the flyer, That's even better

[soundforbjt]

I'd wait for a least 2 to 3 months before buying a new dvd writer. Why? Lite-On is going to debut their 4X -/+ burners in the 2nd quarter of this year for a retail price of $199.00 USD. I got this info from calling Lite-On.