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Sony Optiarc America updated their website to include some information on two new 24x SATA DVD writers, the AD-7260S and AD-7261S. Both drives are capable of 24x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The only difference is that the AD-7261S supports LightScribe.

http://www.sony-optiarc.us/en/productsh ... s/ad-7260s
http://www.cdrlabs.com/Optical-Drives/S ... riter.html
http://www.cdrlabs.com/Optical-Drives/S ... riter.html

Any thoughts as to whether or not these are new designs or Lite-On rebadges? I'm leaning towards a new design as I found references to an AD-7263S which most likely supports LabelFlash.

I also found references to a AD-7250H, AD-7251H and AD-7253H. Any thoughts on these?

I kinda think they are LiteOn rebadges with the crappy chip in them rather then a NEC design but I guess we'll have to wait and see for sure. I really like my 7240 and it even seems to burn crappy DL disks at full speed very well so kinda hard to think they've made some improvement that would make it worth buying another drive with the same specs as the one I have now.

Not at Newegg yet. However the AD7241s is on sale for $25 with free shipping.

Thanks for the heads-up, Ian.

The data sheet says "2nd generation 24x performance". Wonder what that means. Maybe they fixed the clunky tray load/eject feature.

the AD-7260S is now at new egg for about $29 plus shipping. They are not showing an image of it yet. Perhaps someone will pick one up and check it out.....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

I took one for the team and placed an order.

The AD-7241S dropped to $24 with free shipping. It's getting tempting to get another.

My drive already shipped. It should be here on Monday or Tuesday.

Well depending on how it works out for you and what chip they used maybe I'll jump in as well, thanks Ian.

Ian wrote:My drive already shipped. It should be here on Monday or Tuesday.

can't wait to hear about it. Thanks Ian.

noticed the title of this thread has Optiarc misspelled.

stix wrote:noticed the title of this thread has Optiarc misspelled.

lol.. my bad.

Crap.. my drive won't be here until tomorrow. So much for UPS's 3 day shipping.

The AD-7260S has an NEC MC-10045 chipset. I'll post some tests after the kids go to bed.

I THINK that's the same chip the 7240 uses so it will be interesting to see if somethings way better or pretty similar to the older one. Looking forward to some results.

Yeah, that's the same one as the 7240.

This drive is definitely on par with the 7240S.





Any other media you'd like me to test?

Thanks Ian, can you test MCC004 and MCC03RG20 if you have them?

Sure, I'll burn a few when I get home tonight.

Here ya go...

Thanks, the Verbatim look like Prodisc-made.

Well I ordered one just now myself, can never have enough burners around Maybe the 7240 and 7260 will compliment each other as to what drive likes what media. The 7240 has been very good except for when i overheated my first one. for 23 bucks I guess I can try the latest and hopefully greatest.
In case nobody here saw that they are 22.99 right now with free shipping at NewEgg.

Dartman wrote:In case nobody here saw that they are 22.99 right now with free shipping at NewEgg.

Doh. That's what I get for ordering right away.

Well at least you get to be probably one of the very first ones to receive the new drive. I did the same with the 203b when it came out and later it was MUCH cheaper.
They seem to float up and down as the units sell better and their stock changes. You could post a review on Egg and probably be the first...

Ian - do you see much of any real performance difference between this new model and the earlier one? What about mechanical - does the tray act about the same as the previous model - a little clunky,and hesitant when opening?

noticed the price drop and free shipping today.

It's been a while since I used my 7240S. I would have to dig it out and do a comparison.

One thing that did stick out was how loud this drive was. Given, it does write at 24x, but it seemed to be a lot louder than other 24x drives I have.