Sony DRU-710A DVD+RW Writer

• Reviewed by: kazanbas

  Strengths: Worked perfectly for 14 months

  Weaknesses: Stopeed working after that

  Overall: I've bought this unit and was happy how it performed. After a while, I noticed that it can't read some of the DVD that was actually written by this DVD writer. I checked on other computers, there was nothing wrong with the DVDs. Right now, I am stuck with this DVD rom, doesnt work properly, writes fine and after writing, can't even recognize the DVD. Dpn't buy it, the warranty expires quite fast, contacted Sony, they want you to save all receipts and then tell that its not covered by warranty. I haven't had problem with other DVD reader (Pioneer), I had it for at least 6 years and this one broke within one year.

• Reviewed by: dood123

  Strengths: None - it doesn't work very well at all

  Weaknesses: Just check google for this drive. Lots of users with lots of problems. Mine just disappeared one day from Windows. It can't see any files on any media now!

  Overall: Total waste of time. Sony don't even make half these drives, they are rebadges from the LiteOn corporation. And it shows, no support, poor firmware upgrades and lots of unhappy users on the net. Be careful.

• Reviewed by: sreus_usr

  Strengths: Burns CDs well

  Weaknesses: List of system configuration requirements Sony support required before considering a possible problem with drive.

  Overall: I had to RMA my original drive. The replacement would not burn a DVD that could be read by Sony or Panasonic DVD player, or Sony Vaio laptop DVD-Rom. During 3 calls to Sony, I had to remove second drive on IDE cable, delete my NVidia IDE drivers (15% slower with MS drivers) change DMA settings (slower again), remove RealPlayer as it may have a software conflict with Nero, then asked to upgrade to MS Media Player 10 (can't since I run Win 2000). I don't use MS Media Player, so this was strange--already had DirectX v9. Sony position is I can send in my drive for them to test (no drive for 2 weeks or more, I pay shipping). I didn't expect this level of incompatibility from Sony, but should have guessed since I had to re-boot my system after every DVD burn with my Sony 120A DVD+RW drive (ATAPI Error). Overall, burning a CD is 25% slower after the Sony required configuration changes, but it does burn CDs. I used Verbatim, FujiFilm, and Sony DVD discs, so it isn't a cheap disc issue. Maybe mine is a lemon, but I'm now looking for a drive that doesn't require system reconfiguration to be compatible with the burner.

• Reviewed by: TrumanII

  Strengths: Burns CD/DVD's Sufficiently, not perfect but sufficient, performance is average

  Weaknesses: Well all hell breaks loose after the latest BYX4 Firmware Upgrade, Drive TOTALLY Loses CD Functionality

  Overall: This drives performs as mentioned, but alas, after Latest Firmware Upgrades it has lost all sense of CD-Functionality. It cannot sense CD Presence at all in this drive after the lastest BY04A Firmware Update. This is a real blow to this gem of a Burner, for mysteriously NOBODY EVEN SONY knows what is going on and this problem is rampant with hundreds of customers wondering "What the Heck is the Deal, what is UP??" So OH WELL, MORE VAPORWARE AS USUAL, TO THROW ON MY HEAP OF COMPUTER GARBAGE, DON'T YOU KNOW THAT ALL TOO WELL....

• Reviewed by: dududidi

  Strengths: quiet.

  Weaknesses: expensive even after current $30 MIR. You can pay $40 less (after MIRs) to get a DVD±RW Writer with same quality

  Overall: Do not install a lot of other programs on your PC 'cause they will severely affect the writing speed of this drive. It takes 8 mins to burn a Staple Teon DVD-R 8X on a freshly loaded XP operation system, while it took 45 mins on my former game-jammed XP operation system. I purchased this drive by the obsession of SONY brand but I will not buy it again since it is too expensive. I will buy cheaper brands in the future since their quality is about the same, and they have the reputation of not picky about DVD media.