Best Buy closing out the Sony DRU-500A?

[docchak]

Another info.

Due to the recent strike at the ship dock. Sony DRU 500 were sitting on the cargo dock somewhere waiting until things are cooling down, surprise??

[nick66]

I work on the docks. The dock strike lasted only about 4 days and that was about 6 weeks ago so that is not the reason that they are no in stock. Sony is re-releasing the drive with updated firmware and new packaging to show the new 4x speed.

[Alshadin]

I believe the reason there are so few drives available might be due to the fact that it has been extremely popular! I found one at the Circuit City where I live about a week after it was released and have never seen one since. The local Best Buy has had about 12 of them, but they were sold quickly after put on the shelves. Good thing I got the one at Circuit City when I did.

[bbeiler]

Sony is re-releasing the drive with updated firmware and new packaging to show the new 4x speed

I ordered mine from PCNation (500a, $318 free shipping) about a week ago. However, right before I ordered it I read the warning from meritline about the drives not reading cheap media. PCNation said they would not be shipping new drives for about 2+ weeks. I called, and I told them what I read about the drive, they informed me that they were aware of this, and by ordering now I would receive the "new" 500a. However, it came by UPS about 30 minutes ago. My wife will not let me open it (since it was supposed to be a christmas gift, until the 25th ) Anyway, I looked at the packaging and their is no such thing as it being noted as DVD+R writing at 4x, only 2.4x.

Once I install this thing. How will I be able to tell what firmware is indeed installed on the machine. Is their a way to check?

Thanks for any input

[crimpshrine]

Sony is re-releasing the drive with updated firmware and new packaging to show the new 4x speed

I ordered mine from PCNation (500a, $318 free shipping) about a week ago. However, right before I ordered it I read the warning from meritline about the drives not reading cheap media. PCNation said they would not be shipping new drives for about 2+ weeks. I called, and I told them what I read about the drive, they informed me that they were aware of this, and by ordering now I would receive the "new" 500a. However, it came by UPS about 30 minutes ago. My wife will not let me open it (since it was supposed to be a christmas gift, until the 25th ) Anyway, I looked at the packaging and their is no such thing as it being noted as DVD+R writing at 4x, only 2.4x.

Once I install this thing. How will I be able to tell what firmware is indeed installed on the machine. Is their a way to check?

Thanks for any input

Just download the firmware update and run it, it will tell you the current version. You don't have to update if you don't want. You can exit if it's already running 1.0f.

I have bought 2 DRU500's one was made in November came with 1.0d on it. Previous one had 1.0c on it.

[You_Are_Alive]

I am not so sure about the drive not having any problems because everyone here is assuming its working just fine WITH DVD media, but what about CD-R/W's.

Can some ppl verify this for me. I've burned 3 coasters in a row using Philips CD-R 40X, silver. When I burned it with my old Lite-On, no problems. I have no idea why. With 1 of the coasters, the cd player read how many songs were on the cd but thats it, would not play anything. Used nero 5.5.9.14 and the DRU with rev. f. By the way, before the firmware update, FYI I was able to burn any DVD media just fine with this version of Nero.

[bbeiler]

Just download the firmware update and run it, it will tell you the current version. You don't have to update if you don't want. You can exit if it's already running 1.0f.

I have bought 2 DRU500's one was made in November came with 1.0d on it. Previous one had 1.0c on it.

Thanks for the info. That's what I'll do.

Can some ppl verify this for me. I've burned 3 coasters in a row using Philips CD-R 40X, silver. When I burned it with my old Lite-On, no problems. I have no idea why. With 1 of the coasters, the cd player read how many songs were on the cd but thats it, would not play anything. Used nero 5.5.9.14 and the DRU with rev. f. By the way, before the firmware update, FYI I was able to burn any DVD media just fine with this version of Nero.

Wow, that is a concern. I have the exact same type of media (philips 40x silver) with about 50 remaining. Currently I have a Plextor burner, that is awesome. I have had zero coasters (I don't even know what a coaster is ) and swapping the plextor out with a new burner has me a little concerned. I am still going to be burning CD's.

Also, on the sony site (where the updated firmware is) it suggests to uninstall The Intel® Application Accelerator (Intel Ultra ATA Storage Driver). I have never installed this feature. However, the site suggests that it can be pre-installed on some Dells. I have a Dell. How do I know if I have it?

Thanks.

[crimpshrine]

I am not so sure about the drive not having any problems because everyone here is assuming its working just fine WITH DVD media, but what about CD-R/W's.

Can some ppl verify this for me. I've burned 3 coasters in a row using Philips CD-R 40X, silver. When I burned it with my old Lite-On, no problems. I have no idea why. With 1 of the coasters, the cd player read how many songs were on the cd but thats it, would not play anything. Used nero 5.5.9.14 and the DRU with rev. f. By the way, before the firmware update, FYI I was able to burn any DVD media just fine with this version of Nero.

I've only burned with it like 3 times to some generic CDR's (I don't recall what speed.. I think I chose 8x I dont rememebr now in Nero what were the options I was given on speed) I have like 3 other burners so the need to burn CDR's hasnt really happened yet with the Sony.

What speed did you burn at? Did you try going lower? I know there 40x CDR's just curious if you tried a lower speed.

I normally never burn anything over 16x speed anyhow since I have found some drives have tracking problems in my experience with disks burned at high rates.

[Benzima]

Here's some of my experiences and observations.

Up until last Friday (12-6-02) the Best Buy webpage listed the DRU500UL as available but out of stock. They listed the DRU500A as unavailable. Yesterday (12-10-02) I noticed the DRU500A was listed as available and in stock. I rushed down to the local store. They had a space for the DRU500UL ($429.00) but of course they didn't have any in stock. No space for the DRU500A. I went back home and promptly ordered the DRU500A online since it was listed as available and in stock. I've been shopping Pricewatch for about 3 weeks and very few would even dare say they had any in stock, so I was a little optimistic, but pessimistic at the same time, if that's possible. While ordering, I keep expecting to see some notice about back order but it never came up. The site say's it ships in 2-3 days. Less than an hour after ordering I recieved the order has been recieved and is being processed/confirmation email. I considered that a pretty good sign even though it said it has not shipped but I kinda expected that. I will be very happy when/if I receive the shipping notice by Friday. These puppies are hard to get.

All last week I tried to get this drive. No one in Southern California has it. Don't trust any automated inventory service either. I learned that lesson the hard way. Drove about 40 miles to a Compusa only to find,"Well Sir, it's in the computer but not in the store" or "The computer says we have 2, but they musta got stolen"

Good luck to anyone trying to get this unit.

BTW, this is my very 1st post here. This is an exclellent site. Thanks to all that run and contribute to it.

[dun4cheap]

As for the CD Burning portion, I have burned about 10 disc without problems at full speed. Though I usually burn it with my Yamaha F1. I have only burned a total of 4 coasters with my sony. All those were with the original C firmware. I am not positive on the cause but I would be willing to admit possible human error on my part just from experimenting with software. Currently I use Decrypter to rip it, IFOEDIT to recreate the ifo's and burn it with Nero. I have pretty much gotten the process down to less than 40 minutes. By the way I prefer decrypter over smart ripper. It has worked flawlessly.

[edthesped]

I am not so sure about the drive not having any problems because everyone here is assuming its working just fine WITH DVD media, but what about CD-R/W's.

Can some ppl verify this for me. I've burned 3 coasters in a row using Philips CD-R 40X, silver. When I burned it with my old Lite-On, no problems. I have no idea why. With 1 of the coasters, the cd player read how many songs were on the cd but thats it, would not play anything. Used nero 5.5.9.14 and the DRU with rev. f. By the way, before the firmware update, FYI I was able to burn any DVD media just fine with this version of Nero.

I have burned about 10 of the Phillips CD-R80 without problems. I purchased a couple of 100 spindles from Best Buy a couple of months ago. They are silver with CD-R80 in red letters with a red swoosh on them. I have also burned cheapo Hi-Vals and Prime Peripherals without problems.

[Benzima]

Ladies & Gentlemen, I am very pleased to annouce that my DRU500A has shipped from Best Buys. I was also very surprised to see the Accu 50 pack and cases arrived today, and I just ordered those on Monday!!! Looks like I'm gonna have a busy weekend.


Christams has come early.

[henry_nettles]

As for the CD Burning portion, I have burned about 10 disc without problems at full speed. Though I usually burn it with my Yamaha F1. I have only burned a total of 4 coasters with my sony. All those were with the original C firmware. I am not positive on the cause but I would be willing to admit possible human error on my part just from experimenting with software. Currently I use Decrypter to rip it, IFOEDIT to recreate the ifo's and burn it with Nero. I have pretty much gotten the process down to less than 40 minutes. By the way I prefer decrypter over smart ripper. It has worked flawlessly.

I second everything dun4cheap said. I have burned about 20 DVD+RW discs, and about 30 DVD-R discs. With the new firmware (1.0f), I can write to the cheap Ritek DVD-R media at 2X speed. I am a very happy camper.

[tonyp12]

ordered the DRU500A online since it was listed as available and in stock

Bestbuy website now say:
"Not available for delivery at this time. Not available for store pickup"

Is there a third option here that I'm missing ???

I guess that is to go to the store and find an emty slot there it should be?

[neonflx]

I had burn several CD's without any problems at full 24x speed using NERO or CLONE CD.

[g00kster]

Meritline employees are F**King IDIOTS!!!! I would never buy from them again!!!!! It's their media that's inconsistent and unreliable!!!! Read below for explanation.....

Quote from them stating that the Sony DRU500A drive is problematic?

Quote:
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


*********************************
I have a Sony DRU-500A, WinXP Home, Nero 5.9.9.17, DVDDecryter, and IFOEdit to rip DVD movies.

Here's my experience with Meritline and their FREAKING medias!!!!

100 Pk of Meritline brand 4.7 GB DVD-R 2X General purpose DVD Recordable

http://meritline.com/mer47dvmed2x1.html

Expensive....and their media is inconsistent!!!! I emailed customer service 4 times and only got one response. That one time, I was able to talk to a customer service rep. and he told me that they are constantly updating their media b/c the hardware companies are constantly updating their firmware. So, that means their media is not consistent.

Here's my reason behind the above statement:
The reason that is I bought a 25 pk of the above link about a month ago and it worked great. No problem at all. So, I decided to buy a 100 pk 3 weeks later and I received it. I made mostly coasters!!!! That's why I contacted customer service to see why it's not working, but I asked him "Why? Isn't it the same media?" To my surprise that's what he told me. I wanted to return it but never got a return address or even an email from him. Actually, I never heard from him again. So, I would NEVER buy from them again!!!!!

On the other hand, looking for consistent and reliable generic media?

100 pk of Ritek DVD-R for $86.99 with free shipping!!!

http://www.shop4tech.com/user.htm?go=view_item&id=242&cata=1&s_cata=88

You can get generic 1X Ritek DVD-R media at the following site and the Sony DRU-500A with 1.0f firmware will write these generic disks at 2X.
I previously ordered 200 blank DVD-R from them and they are all consistent and reliable DVD-R media. So, I decided to order another 200 blank DVD-R and the arrival date is 12/16. My co-workers been buying from them for 4 months now and he bought over 300 blank DVD-Rs. Personally, I'm willing to spend an extra $.10-.15 per disc to get consistent reliable media.

I hope my experience will save others from grief!!!!!!

[davidz]

Well, I am a big time reseller for DVD medias So far I have checked with Sony and Sony channels. Seems like who ever said sony will close out DRU500A is not true at all. They are just some unknowledge sales persons. They have no connection to Sony rep (well, Best Buy purchasor might). They won't know anything. So far I have checked with Ingram Micro and Tech Data (the two biggest resells channels in the US) that they will have in stock around Jan. of next year.

So I guess I just want to say dont' believe what a sales person says. If you want more info, go search Sony website or ask some professionals PLEASE.

[tonyp12]

Computergeeks.com have the DRU500A for $309

Factory Refurbished, I would guess that maybe they are the pulls
from the stores we been talking about and instead of re-packing
they sell them in browbox version.

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=DRU500A