New Pioneer 4x Writer

[etones]

Unsure in which forum to actually post this, so i've put it in here...

Recently Sony lauched the writer capable of writing to both - and + dvds. Now, pioneer also launched a new 4x drive which overall seems to be better but can only do - dvds. Is there anything new up and coming, if not what should I go for?

Are either drive capable of writing to discs bigger than 4.7gb once they are available/if they become available.

Thanks all,
Taz

[Doom9]

you picked the wrong forum ;) Having a quick look in the appropriate section before posting wouldn't hurt.. one look into the dvd burning forum and you see that this is the correct one.

Anyway..
Is there anything new up and coming, if not what should I go for? No, the featureset of the Sony burner will not but outdated for some time (basically until 8x burners start to appear somewhere in the 2nd half of 2003). Which burner you get is really up to you.. according to rule 13 you're not even supposed to ask what's best ;) Read the threads in this forum, then make up your mind. You can't go wrong with either one.

Are either drive capable of writing to discs bigger than 4.7gb once they are available/if they become available.
No. If you're thinking about dual layer DVD-Rs the answer is "ain't gonna happen", if you're speculating for a high definition DVD then it's definitely not because these discs are going to use blue lasers which currently cannot even be produced in large quantities for reasonable prices.

[etones]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

Sorry for the wrong forum. Anywho, if I get the pioneer, will I be left standing if the + standard takes of, is this likely to happen? What major devices actually use +dvds as opposed to -?

Cheers
Taz

[gooki]

Don't worry abot the + vs - wars. Both formats are going to be arround for a long time, so just get which ever one suits your requirements/budget the best.

[etones]

Is there anything wrong with the Sony unit?

Are there any decent new multi-format (+ and -) writers coming out that are on par with the pioneer.

Im lookin for something that will product output that I can play in my dvd player and ps2 and also my m8s xbox...

Really unsure what to splash out on

Cheers
Taz

[alexnoe]

Is there anything wrong with the Sony unit?Actually, when the drive had been released, it appearently was in an early beta state...but fortunately, all flaws were only in the firmware.

So if you look through reviews, look at the firmware which was used ;)

The only bad thing about the sony drive is its price!

[etones]

Cheers guys,

so other than the Sony DRU500A, what other dvd writer will be released soon?

Cheers
Taz

[Doom9]

so other than the Sony DRU500A, what other dvd writer will be released soon?
It can't hurt to read my news.. I usually report when a new recorder is announced. In order to give you a list I myself would have to read the news.. and it takes you as long as it takes me ;)

[gooki]

Quote:

"Im lookin for something that will product output that I can play in my dvd player and ps2 and also my m8s xbox..."

DVD-R will suit you fine for all of the above.

Have you considered the Toshiba SD-R5002 at $209USD it's darn cheap, damn good quality, and will do everything you need. Is alsa available in sexy black :)

[etones]

cheers guys, will fork out for the sony just incase, seems to be top dog atm.. + the silver look matches my case :)

Taz

[ux-3]

Just a few thoughts:
- You can save almost 100 bucks by making a decision for either + or - only, compared to a dual burner
- You will only have one type of DVD*R in your shelf, when your current player hits the coffin and needs replacement. This might ease your life considerably, because you will be able to choose from all that can read at least "your" format. You are not limited to players that can play both.
- When 8x Burners come around, you have 100 bucks saved already (in theory at least...)

[alexnoe]

DVD+ started a propaganda war, and DVD- appearently is playing that game
=> if you decide for one format now, then the other format will become more popular, media easier to get etc.
The question which format is better or similar minor, irrelevant topics no longer contribute to that issue.

You save money *now*, but the question is if you really safe it, or if you just move the point of time when to spend it (now on the writer, or later on the media)

[markrb]

Just for info both NEC and Lite-On have announced dual format DVD drives. Neither are around right now.
According to Lite-On the expect to start shipments in Feb.

I didn't want to wait that long so I bought the Sony and so far I don't regret it.

The Sony drive is on Zdnet's (Pcmag, Computer Shopper Mag) list of one of the top five peripheral products.

Mark

[etones]

tbh, i may end up buying another writer soon enough, but its nice to be able to fall back knowing I can cope with all situations.

Cheers guys

[zxsdef]

For the type of stuff you intend to use a dvd- drive will suit your needs,ps2 and xbox don't play dvd+ discs as far as I'm aware most standalone dvd players are very hit and miss with dvd+ discs thought that will improve as + media is improved.
Dvd- media is far more compatible and cheaper,dvd+ can read quickers and initially the write speeds were slightly faster(2.8x instead of 2x at the time).
Datsafe are producing a dvd writer for both formats.I'd wait alot of new drives are due out soon and the price will just keep coming down.

The sony is reputed to be an exellent drive ans is the one I intend to get to but I have 2 pioneer writers(AO4 and 104) so I'm gonna hold off any decision as it seems when a unit is released there are teething problems.I guess each writer may have a subtle advantage over each other but a dual format writer seems to be the way things are going and the pioneer is not one of them.Bare in mind also pioneer owned the rights the 2x media so certain 2x discs dont' go 2x in the pioneer this does not happen with 4x discs.

[jsl]

markrb: The Lite-On writer will not be available before late Q2 or Q3 and the NEC dual format writer not before spring.

zxsdef: PS2 (>= V5) and Xbox reads DVD+R/RW and some of the earlier versions (<V5) of PS2 reads DVD+R. Compability is about the same in DVD players too.

[etones]

Originally posted by jsl
markrb: The Lite-On writer will not be available before late Q2 or Q3 and the NEC dual format writer not before spring.

zxsdef: PS2 (>= V5) and Xbox reads DVD+R/RW and some of the earlier versions (<V5) of PS2 reads DVD+R. Compability is about the same in DVD players too.

I dont understand what you mean, are you sayinf newer PS2's and Xboxs are dvdr+?

Cheers
Taz

[Doom9]

most standalone dvd players are very hit and miss with dvd+ discs thought that will improve as + media is improved.
actually that's not true. Compatibility is about the same. You should just query the vcdhelp.com database for your player so see what your player can handle. But if you care about all players then both formats will do you just fine.

[alexnoe]

If a dvd player doesn't read a dvd+r, there are 2 possibilities:
(1) bad media
(2) rejects discs with "unknown" book type

Especially if a player has no special support for dvd+r, the quality of the used discs is important

[etones]

I was under the impression + media was being phased out? :confused:

hmm... looks like the sony is a good bet after all.

Cheers guys,
Taz

[waldok]

I bought the DRU50a 2 weeks ago and as markrb also said, not a single regret about this decision (I've been hesitating with Pioneer 105 for some time).
It has accepted and burnt every single DVD-R or +R or -RW or +RW I gave him. So far I used Imation DVD-r and +R, Sony DVD-R (3 euros each), Bulkpaq DVD-R (25 pieces for 1.5 euros each) and fuji DVD-RW.
The only problem I have with it is regarding "black cd-r" (memorex and PNY), that the device will not even see (like no disc is inserted).

My firmware is 1.0d and I paid 399Euros for the DRU500a (same price as pioneer 105 here so a good deal it seems).

So, I'd say go for the sony (if you can still find one available).

Waldok:cool: