In House Review - Sony DRU-830A 18x DVD±RW/RAM

[Ian]

CDRLabs kicks off the week with an in depth look at Sony's new 18x DVD±RW/RAM drive, the DRU-830A. Sporting some pretty impressive specs, this Samsung based drive is capable of 18x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The DRU-830A also includes features like 48x CD reading and writing speeds, 32x rewriting speeds, Power-Burn buffer underrun protection and an impressive software bundle from Nero.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DRU-830A and see how it compares to some of the 16x and 18x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does Sony's new drive have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=293]
Sony DRU-830A 18x DVD±RW/RAM[/url]

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Sony DRU-830A, please post them in the forum using the link provided below.

[Scour]

Nice review, Ian

The results look not bad, seems like Samsung did much better now in DVD-R

But the confusing thing, Sony now label Samsung? I thought they use NEC and Liteon

[Ian]

Yeah, I was a bit surprised that they were using Samsung. I was expecting either another Lite-On or an Optiarc. I have a feeling that they couldn't meet Sony's demands, as both companies started manufacturing 18x drives only a month or two ago. Samsung, on the other hand, has been doing it a bit longer.

[Dartman]

Sansung released SB04 firmware for their version of the drive yesterday, I'll have to have a look now and see if the Review looks like my latest results so far, or Maybe a Sony crossflash will happen sometime

[Grain]

Excellent work Ian.
Drive doesn't look that special though, ie I won't be adding it to the stack .

[Spazmogen]

Sansung released SB04 firmware for their version of the drive yesterday, I'll have to have a look now and see if the Review looks like my latest results so far, or Maybe a Sony crossflash will happen sometime

Thanks for the update. I'll flash from SB03 when I get home.

Good review too Ian.

[Ian]

Sony has released the SS22 firmware:

http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/do ... A_SS22.zip

Writing performance and reliability improvements.

[Spazmogen]

I wonder if that will activate the Mount Rainier format on the Sony that the Samsung has...

[Ian]

I can check later when I see if the SS22 firmware fixed the lead-in issue or not.

[Spazmogen]

If you would, that would be great.

I only have +R discs at the moment. So I can't try it.

[Ian]

Nope, no Mt. Rainier still.

[yuki chan]

Just read the review, nice BTW I was also hoping for an Optiarc drive

But did you notice the back face plate in your kit is intended for NEC / Otpiarc drives ^^

[Darth]

here in Singapore, the black and beige versions are sold separately. No extra bezel in the package.

On the plus side, both versions have the pretty faceplate. A 1st for Sony, a pretty black bezel

[robert2513]

I can check later when I see if the SS22 firmware fixed the lead-in issue or not.

Great review Ian. The reviews are always a great help.

Any word yet if the firmware update fixed the lead-in issue? I was thinking of getting this model or the Samsung SH-S182D.

[Ian]

It doesn't fix it. I did pass the word on to Sony though. Hopefully we'll see a fix from Sony and Samsung soon.

[robert2513]

It doesn't fix it. I did pass the word on to Sony though. Hopefully we'll see a fix from Sony and Samsung soon.

Alrightly, I'll be watching. Thanks for the reply.

[preetam007]

Can anyone tell me how to turn on Turbo Boost feature so that i can use the rated 48X speed ??

[Ian]

Put in a CD-ROM or CD-R disc and hold down the eject button for about 5 seconds. The LED will flash a few times and you should be all set.

[thx8311]

This is my first post and I'm really new at this DVD stuff. My machine has a DVD burner but it isn't that great (Toshiba Samsung TS-H552) and I did not have proper software to burn DVDs, so thought I'ld get a new drive With nero of roxio. Got an HP dvd840i but returned it unopened after reading about some firmware problems which apparently go back at least 6 monhs. Now I see that this Sony DRU-830A / Samsung SH-S182D also has problems. From what I've read at CDFreaks, it is still not clear if the new CDFreaks UnOfficial ver. of the 04 firmware fix is sufficient or if there will be something soon form Sony/Samsung.

I want the drive primarily to copy a DVD I had made (from SVHS) to give to family and friends and also to make CD's from cassette tapes that I recorded on the gig with various bands that I worked with. I am Not that interested in the speediest drive or even lightscribe. Mostly, I want good quality burn, reliabilty and high compatibilty with DVD+R, since it seems that they may be better than -R.

Also available locally:
LiteOn SHM-165P6S
Pioneer DVR-710B5PK (didn't work; jumper may have been incorrect?)
HP DVD840R
HP DVD940I
Memorex Dual-Format 32023292 (no DVD-RAM)

Suggestions please? I've been researching and shopping for a week and I'm anxious to get started with this.
Should I return the Sony and order something that has been highly recommended here?

NOTE:
As noted in the review, there is a rebate from Sony for $20 through Jan. 06, 2007 but it's Only Valid when purchased from specific sellers - Best Buy NOT included; Circuit City and COMPusa are OK. Details here:

https://web-rebates.com/sony/06-A30408/Default.asp

Thanks for your attention.

[Ian]

thx,

You're probably better off creating a new thread instead of asking your question here.

Also available locally:
LiteOn SHM-165P6S
Pioneer DVR-710B5PK (didn't work; jumper may have been incorrect?)
HP DVD840R
HP DVD940I
Memorex Dual-Format 32023292 (no DVD-RAM)

I'm not sure what drive designs the HP's are based on (LG, Lite-On,??). Same goes for the Memorex. The Lite-On has its strong points but I think most would agree that the Pioneer is the better choice.

[thx8311]

Thanks for your reply.

>>I'm not sure what drive designs the HP's are based on (LG, Lite-On,??).
>>Same goes for the Memorex.

The HP 840i is an LG GSA-4166B :

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews ... leId=15764
--------------------
Memorex's new DVD writer is based on the ND-3520A from NEC. Physically, the two drives are almost identical.

http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.ph ... e=Features
---------------------
I may just try the Pioneer again.
Is the Pioneer DVR-710B5PK actually the DVR-111 that everyone rates so highly?

Don't know if I really need to start a new thread, although it would be interesting to see what others might have to say.

Thanks

[Ian]

Sony has released a another firmware for the drive, SS23:

http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/do ... A_SS23.zip

Reliability improvements with 8cm DVD-R DL.

Can someone check and see if it fixes the leadin issue? I would, but I'm not at home.

[carl]

I just checked it and lead-in is not fixed...

[Ian]

Another new firmware from Sony. I doubt it fixes the leadin.

http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/do ... A_SS25.zip

Change log:

Reliability improvements with 8cm DVD-R DL.

[carl]

Another new firmware from Sony. I doubt it fixes the leadin.

http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/do ... A_SS25.zip

Change log:

Reliability improvements with 8cm DVD-R DL.

Good guess. It does not fix it..