I'm thinking of getting a DVD writer. My primary intention is to use it for system backups; CD's just don't cut it any more (with about 18 GB and 11 GB respectively on my two systems). The Sony DRU-500A looks like a rather interesting one, supporting a lot of formats. Any comments on that vs. any of the others out there? This is for a pure Linux system. -- Robert Krawitz <rlk@alum.mit.edu> Tall Clubs International -- http://www.tall.org/ or 1-888-IM-TALL-2 Member of the League for Programming Freedom -- mail lpf@uunet.uu.net Project lead for Gimp Print -- http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net "Linux doesn't dictate how I work, I dictate how Linux works." --Eric Crampton
Robert L Krawitz wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a DVD writer. My primary intention is to use it for system backups; CD's just don't cut it any more (with about 18 GB and 11 GB respectively on my two systems). The Sony DRU-500A looks like a rather interesting one, supporting a lot of formats. Any comments on that vs. any of the others out there? This is for a pure Linux system.
Based on the specs, it looks like THE drive to have right now. It burns every format except DVD-RAM, it will burn DVD-R discs at 4X (assuming that you can actually find any 4X blanks; they're scarce so far), and the $350 price tag seems reasonable. But it's brand new (Sony just started shipping them this week), so you're not likely to find anyone who has actually used one just yet. On the other hand, I'd like to see the DVD-RAM camp come out with a better drive. Their format is a non-player for video, but it's the best DVD-based format for data use, though DVD+RW isn't too bad. Maybe we'll see a drive that can burn all five writable DVD standards soon.
Robert L Krawitz wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a DVD writer. My primary intention is to use it for system backups; CD's just don't cut it any more (with about 18 GB and 11 GB respectively on my two systems). The Sony DRU-500A looks like a rather interesting one, supporting a lot of formats. Any comments on that vs. any of the others out there?
Hi First let me note that I have no direct experience here. I have been trying to follow the area and just want to tell you that the Dec 2002 PC World just reviewed it. They picked the Sony DRU-500A as their "Best buy" (and give a street price of $349). In general they note that DVD-RAM would be best if you were just doing backups. On the other hand they pick the Sony drive because it can do everything else! :-) I assume they are trying to make a recommendation for general use. They list only two drives that do DVD-RAM: Pacific Digital DVD Burner U-30116 at $299 Street and Vivastar RS-111 at $350 Both do just DVD-RAM and DVD-R They say DVD-RAM is preformatted which "manufacturers claim gives gives random access capability" and also "contain extensive defect-management and error-correction technologies, to ensure correct data storage" That's a summary, you may want to check the original article (page111) to make your own call. :-). doug
participants (3)
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doug waud -
Mark J. Dulcey -
Robert L Krawitz