I have a pioneer and considering selling and getting a sony which is the best

If you want format assurance, the Sony DRU-500A can burn both -R/RW and +R/RW discs.

It even comes in black @ www.hardrive.com

Hmm
I'm only interested in the -R standard +R has no apeael. Which of the 2 currently has the best firmware for compatability? There are loads of comparisons of specs and both it seems are not without fault. Am I right in thinking that the Pioneer is the fussiest of the 2 with assorted media? It seems there are 2 camps, the lovers and the haters. It's a bit like Marmite dont you think?

Dan

Just get a sony dru500a. It does both -R and +R....
Only one will last one day, like beta and vhs (no one is using beta any more).

Originally posted by DR69ON
Just get a sony dru500a. It does both -R and +R....
Only one will last one day, like beta and vhs (no one is using beta any more).

By the time the format wars are settled we would probably of all forgotten about the Pioneer vs Sony debate........:)



Smiffy

Yeah, with Blu-Ray & Co. on the horizon, it seems DVD burner format war might be over. Well, maybe not. With new technology, DVD burners would drop in price, which is good, because I don't really need 27GB per disc. I mean, a DVD movie is only 4.7GB (well, most) and if DVD burners drop to $150-$200, a lot of ppl will start buying 'em up.

Anyhow, back to the firmware problem, Sony and Pioneer have both been diligent in releasing firmware. Current Sony firmware releases have greatly imporved media compatibilty.

It all depends how bad you want the + format as you will have to spend $350+ for the sony dru500a. The - format has the highest compatibility and generally speaking the cheapest media. The + format has some advantages for data applications but I have yet to hear of a benefit for just playing them in a regular dvd player.

sony dru is only 320 at my local frys, same price as an A05 (they don't sell 105) You can get it cheaper online I think. Also +R is more for authoring the disc then dvd-r.

Never heard of frys. The only place that I know sells the sony dru500a for $320 is online and they are almost always out of stock and that doesn't include shipping costs. It all depends where you live for me the only place in town that carries this model is staples which is trying to sell them for the outrageous price of $380 before tax. As you know Dr69on officemax is currently offering a special on cendyne drives for $169 after tax and rebates and the cendyne105 isn't that much more expensive and no matter what is still about $90 cheaper than the sony (The cedyne105 is about $230 and the cendyne104 has the special after tax and rebates for $169). If he isn't really interested in the +R/+RW format it seems to me that it is kind of a waste to replace his drive with the expensive sony. For bobspliff are you interested in using the + format at all or do you still prefer to use the -R format which the Pioneer supports as I believe that is the best answer to your question. If you are pretty content with your Pioneer and using the - format then don't bother getting the sony. If your only concern is the programs that come with the unit well let's face it for $200 you could invest in some awsome aftermarket software that would be better then the stuff that comes with the sony. The other thing I would suggest that if you decide you want to go with the sony why don't you wait until the unit comes down in price before buying (especially if your Pioneer drive is performing decently) to get it.

sorry about that the officemax special for $169 is after rebates but before tax.

Officemax has the special again, but it's 179.99. You still gotta pay 230 up front, plus you're not guarantee to get your 50 dollar mail in rebate or even a x4 cendyne. Beside, according to pcworld, the sony is out-selling the pioneer 105, and they both got good rating.

Also there arn't many frys, but some people are lucky enough to have one. It's like superstore of electronic. I just pick up 50 pack of cdr for 7 dollar out the door and 80 dollar 5.1 pc speakers for 50 buck. Also frys had a special on thier Best Cost DVD-RW(Pioneer 105) a while back for 200 plus 30 dollar mail in rebate. 3 New burner came out with thier 4x DVDRW (including TDK) so you might see burner price going lower.

I personally don't trust the article from PC World as it contradicts the findings of most members on this website who have dvd burners. Personal experience is better than some corporation's polls. By the way DR69ON the question still stands if you are saying that officemax won't honor the $50 rebate WHY IN THE HELL DID YOU TELL IONLYUSE CLONE about the exact same deal with the $50, you are conveying two contradicting messages, which seems to be common among supporters of + drivers.

Dude what's your problem. I'm not a support of anything. He ask which burner is better, the Sony or the Pioneer 105, and I told him if he have the money, go with the sony one, otherwise the pioneer will be just as good.
PCworld, the review are based on people's opinion on it, not the site itself, and it does keep track of top selling burner. You can always check out cnet, they're also consumer's opinion.
Jester, you seem to keep bringin up the special on the cendyne, the last time I tried, they only had 104 left while other store run out before I get there.

I know I keep bringing up the special on the cendyne because it is a great deal but my question is DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT TELL I ONLY USE CLONE ABOUT THE OFFICEMAX SPECIAL WITH THE $50 REBATE NOT 5 HOURS AFTER YOU WERE TELLING ME THAT OFFICEMAX DIDN'T HONOR THE REBATE. Some of your posts advertise this deal and some of them tell people that they don't honor the rebate. You also have failed to answer my question do you own a dvd burner drive and if so what drive. By the way the officemax special (at least the drive they pictured) was for the cendyne104 I don't know if the cendyne105 had the same offer or not but if they did that might explain why they were all gone by the time you got there. My problem is that I put my success with this drive and doing price comparisons (I think we both know that most people will not be able to easily get ahold of a sony for $320 although a few people in some locations might but most will end up paying about $350+tax for this drive) to help people find a good cheaper alternative to the sony and then you try to make it sound like I don't know what I am talking about. I am simply telling people that unless the + format means all that much to them that the cendyne drive is the better way to go since it will save them about $100 assuming that officemax doesn't honor the $50 rebate and if it does it will save them about $150 which is a fair chunk of change. As far as my $380-$400 figure goes on the sony I SAID A FEW NOT MOST PLACES will charge this price I know for a fact that staples is in this price range and I don't know anyone else in my area who sells the sony drive. Nuff said I'm through arguing with you.