Whats happening with these things? I ordered one from dabs just less than a month ago and at the time was told it would take 3-4 weeks in arriving. Now im told they are temperarily unavailable.
Can anyone shed any light? Is it just demand is greater than supply? Or have Sony stopped selling them for some reason?
Tempted to go for the Pioneer A04!

 

There seems to be a supply problem in general on DVD-RW's. DVD+RW's are available, but then your talking different format and media. We supply both formats and the Pioneer A05 (DVD-RW) is the popular choice.

 

Can you still supply the Pioneer A04? As the A05 isnt meant to be as good (firmware isnt updateable)

 

3 words m8 - rocking horse poo. u will be lucky to get one anyway soon. nec are supposed to be bringing out a dual format drive at the end of the month tho. might be worth a look into.


cheers

big sinky

 

www.novatech.co.uk

Gets you OEM version

 

or www.lynxdv.co.uk

 

Whats the differance with the OEM version. Just that it doesnt come in a retail box or do you get less software? Is it a lesser model?

 

You get some oem burning software but not the commercial package as listed for the retail pack.

The drive looks slightly different than the retail version (I think). The pic on Novatech website is of the oem version.

No mounting screws or cables or media.

From nosing around I think Sony made improvements to the DRU500 before releasing the oem drive so the firmware on the drive allows 4x dvd burning. I don't think the firmware is the same between oem and retail drives.

Also read somewhere there is no support from sony for the oem drive and any suppport should be through the suppplier - I'll worry about that when things go wrong.

Other than that then they're identical

Cheers

Mark

 

I bought a Pioneer A05 when it came out and just burned coasters. Swapped it for a DRU-500A and have had no problems since, even using cheap media.

try http://www.scan.co.uk

[Edited by mikeDaBike - 2/20/2003 1:05:27 PM]

 

There are not many manufacturers who will support OEM kit - part of the agreement between manufacturer and reseller to keep manufacturers costs down.

 

Ordered an OEM Sony from Novatech today and it arrives tommorrow! Cheers for the link GIZMO.
The software you get with the retail version isnt a problem to get and the firmware of the OEM version can be upgraded to the retail version no probs. I also believe that a firmware update so you can burn 1xspeed discs at 2x is available.
BURN BABY BURN

 

God damn!
Havin nawt but coasters upto now!

 

I'm about to build a PC, and was wondering which DVD writer to put in.

After your comments, I don't think I'll bother, and put one in later (when things get sorted out, I'm not paying £350 for a dual format drive).

When will full multi layer DVD writers be available? (i.e. record a full 17 Gig ).

Chris

 

Who paid £350 - mine was £257 delivered.

Don't think dual layer burners will be available. They are effectively 2 single layer disks pressed together.

Cheers

Mark

 

vcdhelp.com is a great site for advice on this subject.

 

people that are looking for a Sony DRU-500A can now also buy a Sony DW-U10A and convert it to a DRU-500A. The DW-U10A is according to the reports a bulk version of the DRU-500A, which means it comes without software and DVD discs. Also a different firmware is installed, rpc1.org has all the information how to convert the drive to a DRU-500A.

 

what sort of software are you using?

cheers

big sinky

 

Using instant copy, but ive just put a new firmware on to change it from DW-U10A to DRU500A and then i can use sonys updates to change it from 1.0d to 1.0g. Hopefully i will then have more luck with the discs im using. Riteks at 2x.