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

DVD-R/W, DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM

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

Postby Ian on Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:31 pm

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]Image
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.
Last edited by Ian on Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Scour on Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:49 pm

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
Benq DW 1640 and 1650 , Plextor PX-755, Pioneer BDR-208 and 209D, LG GH24NSC0, LG BH16NS40 and 16NS55, Liteon ihas 124F and 324F, Pioneer DVR-215 and S21, Samsung SH-224DB and 224GB, and some more

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Postby Ian on Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:26 pm

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.
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Postby Dartman on Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:51 pm

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 :wink:
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Postby Grain on Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:23 pm

Excellent work Ian.
Drive doesn't look that special though, ie I won't be adding it to the stack :lol: .
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Postby Spazmogen on Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:58 pm

Dartman wrote: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 :wink:


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

Good review too Ian.
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Postby Ian on Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:51 pm

Sony has released the SS22 firmware:

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

Writing performance and reliability improvements.
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Postby Spazmogen on Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:28 pm

I wonder if that will activate the Mount Rainier format on the Sony that the Samsung has...
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Postby Ian on Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:58 pm

I can check later when I see if the SS22 firmware fixed the lead-in issue or not.
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Postby Spazmogen on Thu Oct 26, 2006 10:10 pm

If you would, that would be great.

I only have +R discs at the moment. So I can't try it.
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Postby Ian on Thu Oct 26, 2006 10:52 pm

Nope, no Mt. Rainier still.
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Postby yuki chan on Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:19 am

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 ^^
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Postby Darth on Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:09 am

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 :lol:
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Postby robert2513 on Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:49 pm

Ian wrote: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.
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Postby Ian on Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:07 pm

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.
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Postby robert2513 on Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:00 pm

Ian wrote: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.
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Sony DRU-830A

Postby preetam007 on Sat Nov 18, 2006 11:36 am

Can anyone tell me how to turn on Turbo Boost feature so that i can use the rated 48X speed ??
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Postby Ian on Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:38 pm

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.
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Keep or return new Sony DRU-830A

Postby thx8311 on Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:26 pm

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.
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Re: Keep or return new Sony DRU-830A

Postby Ian on Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:25 pm

thx,

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

thx8311 wrote: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.
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Postby thx8311 on Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:51 am

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
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Postby Ian on Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:38 pm

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.
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Postby carl on Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:55 pm

I just checked it and lead-in is not fixed...
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Postby Ian on Mon May 07, 2007 1:40 pm

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

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

Change log:
Reliability improvements with 8cm DVD-R DL.
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Postby carl on Tue May 08, 2007 7:25 am

Ian wrote:Another new firmware from Sony. I doubt it fixes the leadin. :x

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.. #-o
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