I currently have an A04 but I'm looking for a new burner and can't decide between the DRU500 and the A05.

Am I right in thinking there's not a lot of difference between them?

I've read through some old threads but haven't read anything that makes my mind up one way or the other.

Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

I mostly burn movies, on unbranded media.

Hude difference... One supports DVD+R/RW and the other does not.

Anyway, I'm moving this to CoOp.

Ok, well that's a pretty big difference, but not to me, as I'm only going to be using DVD-R.

The Sony seems to have much better media compatability than the A05.

(This from a A05 user too)

Ok, thanks for that Lazza.

the sony also has a 8mb buffer and will work with most media... go sony

Where are you located? In the US there is a HUGE price difference between the sony and the DRU500ax. The sony runs about $350 and the Pioneer runs about $260. It all depends on how much money you want to spend. Here in the US you also have the Cendyne option. It is the exact same drive as the A05 (minus a couple of software programs). About once a month or so either Officemax or Staples has a special on this unit and after discount and mail-in rebate the drive costs under $200. I hope this helps

Actually,the Sony can be found for under $300.I have seen it for $289 for the 500ax.

Where can the 500ax be found for $289 and is it in stock?

If you can find that 500a anywhere at all, youre lucky.

techbargains.com often has wher eyou can get it cheap listed on its main page.

My local circuit city has them in stock but they want $350+tax for it (ouch). I will stick with my Cendyne105(Pioneer105) that was only $180.

Sony offer a rebate $50.00 if u purchased betweem 3/11/03 - 3/31/03

So this is valid no matter where it is purchased in the US right?

yes, u can find more detail at sony web site

Can you please post a link that offer? I couldn't find it on the web site.

Thanks

I'm in the UK, where there is also a price difference, but not so much. I don't mind paying the extra, if the sony is the better unit, which it sounds like it is.

Thanks for the advice.

Sam66

You can't use the $50 coupon. Forget it. The rebate people told me if its not listed on their website, its not a listed rebate you can use.

try fatwallet.com they are loaded with coupons you can use in stores.

have to agree, the sony multiburner i have the oem version and it will burn most media and seems to be reliable unfortuantly for me the oem version is not supported and there are no new firmware updates but the sony dr500 has new firmware updates.all in all agood dvd burner if you can find 1.colin

Yeah I would avoid the OEM version if you are getting the Sony. Since you are in the UK Sam66 I would go with the Sony DRU500ax since the price difference isn't all that much. I just hope you can find it as it has been rather difficult to find. Has bigpockets got them back in stock?

AMD, when did you see that offer? I just got the dru500ax at circuitcity and could sure use that rebate. Still am happy anyways:D

Handyguy just said that the rebate is invalid. try the website he has posted www.fatwallet.com.

Yep, I'm finding that they are out of stock most places including bigpockets. Seems they are due in 'by the end of the month'.

Sam66

Sam,

keep your eye on dabs.com, I don't really recomend dabs as a supplier - I think they are carp now, but they do seem to get a reasonable constant supply of the retail version of the sony, I paid £251 including delivery.

So far no complaints with the sony

I was going to say that dabs probably have it in stock. I decided not to because I've had bad experiences with them in the past and would only use them if I was really desperate.

I certainly wouldn't reccomend them to anyone - although their prices and stock levels are generally good their customer service stinks.

Thanks for taking the time to post though : )

No problem

I read Handy's post, I was just hanging on to a thread of hope. :tup:

Sorry to jump on the post but can someone tell me whats the difference between the DRX-500UL DVD+-R/RW External and the DRU-500AX DVD+-R/RW Internal other than one being an external one and one being an internal bay-

basically ebuyer in the uk list both of them but the price difference is minimal and ebuyer's price for the external drive is a good £100 cheaper than what dabs have it listed for.

try techbargains.com they often list where you can find them. I think a refurb 500a was $289 yesterday.

The UL is the same drive, just in an external housing. Most places I've seen it's getting on for £100 more than the standard internal one.

If you find it for the same price you may as well get it, you could always take it out of the housing, then you have an internal drive and a spare housing for whatever you want.

Yikes a refurb. for almost $300 no thanks. I had a manufacturer refurbished sony monitor that blew up on me 15 months after I bought it. Spend the extra money and buy the drive new as refurbs are hit and miss and don't carry the same warranty.