Quantcast
Subscribe to magazine

Reviews

Sony DRU-830A

Drive Type: DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/-RAM • PC/Drive Interface: IDE • DL DVD+R Write Speed: 8X • DL DVD-R Write Speed: 8X • DVD+RW Write Speed: 8X • DVD-RW Write Speed: 6X • Price When Reviewed: $79.99
Sony DRU-830A (Front)
Sony DRU-830A (Front)
80.5 Very Good
Last updated
April 11, 2007
Test Center
Pros
  • Top flight specs.
Cons
  • Mediocre electronic documentation.
  • Software auto-installs Yahoo toolbar.
  • Pricing:Average: $79.99 (3/23/2007)
  • Performance:Good: 74
  • Features:Superior: 94
  • Design:Very Good: 83
Find out how these four scores, and their relative weights, combine to produce the PC World Rating.

Pricing Average: $79.99

Average: $79.99

Performance Good: 74

Good: 74
PC World Tests
Single-Layer Write-Once DVD Performance, for 4.35GB (seconds) 334.9 
Single-Layer Write-Once DVD Format Tested +R 
Dual-Sided Write-Once DVD Performance, for 7.9GB (seconds) 1131.7 
Two-Layer Write-Once DVD Format Tested DL +R 
Format Rewritable DVD (seconds) 29.48 
Rewritable DVD Performance, for 3.4GB (seconds) 717.51 
Rewritable DVD Format Tested +RW 
CD-R Mastering Write Average, for 694MB (seconds) 191.61 

Features Superior: 94

Superior: 94
Basics
Drive Type DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/-RAM 
PC/Drive Interface IDE 
Buffer (MB) 2 
Buffer Underrun Technology PowerBurn Conformed 
S/PDIF Output Yes 
LightScribe Labeling No 
Supports Disc Error Checking With Third-Party Software Yes 
Vendor Speed Ratings
DL DVD+R Write Speed 8X 
DL DVD-R Write Speed 8X 
Single-Layer DVD+R Write Speed 18X 
Single-Layer DVD-R Write Speed 18X 
DVD+RW Write Speed 8X 
DVD-RW Write Speed 6X 
DVD-RAM Write Speed 12X 
DVD-ROM Pressed Disc Read Speed 16X 
DVD-ROM Burned Disc Read Speed 12x 
CD-RW Write Speed 32X 
CD-R Write Speed 48X 
CD-ROM Read Speed 48X 
Other
Included Hardware Black bezel 
Included Software Nero Express 7 Essentials 
Support & Reliability
Labor Warranty (years) One 
Parts Warranty (years) One 
Weekday Support Hours 12 
Saturday Support Hours 12 
Sunday Support Hours 12 
Toll-Free Support Yes 

Design Very Good: 83

Very Good: 83
About the Test Center

Similar Popular Optical Drives

  • Myth of the Million Dollar Database Think only the big boys can afford the best database solutions? Think again. Learn about low cost systems that have proven time and time again to outperform legacy UNIX vendors on a dollar for dollar basis.
  • The Future Sales Force - A Consultative Approach This white paper discusses the challenges of selling complex products and services, and the new skill sets sales professionals must employ in today's evolving market.

PC World's Marketplace

PC World's Free Whitepapers

Name City
Address 1 State Zip
Address 2 E-mail (optional)