Store up to 8.5 GB of data on one single sided, double layer DVD disc
Improved writing speeds for all DVD formats
Record up to 4 hours of video on double/dual layer discs
Works with 4.7 GB DVD+R/+RW and 8.5 GB double/dual layer discs
Description
Sonys newest DVD burner incorporates 18X max DVD+R burning, delivering a full 4.7GB disc in about 5 minutes using standard 16X DVD+R discs. The DRX-830U supports all available DVD formats including single layer 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW, 8.5 GB Double/Dual Layer DVD+R DL, and DVD-RAM discs. High performance 48X max CD-R burning and 32X max CD-RW burning means you no longer need a separate CD burner. The DRX-830U features attractive vertical design and sports a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface for fast and easy connection to Windows XP/2000 PCs. The drive comes bundled with an unbeatable Nero 7 software suite for authoring video DVDs, burning data DVD/CDs, backing up your computer, and much more.
Average Customer Review: ( 31 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 found the following review helpful:
A good DVD product, but Software is not so good! Dec 05, 2006
By Samson Yang I purchased this DRX-830U from best buy for $99.99. It is quite easy to install the hardware and software. I start to use this unit in 10 minutes after I open the box.
DRX-830U comes with Nero 7. It comes with a complete software package. Maybe it is "too" complete; it has a huge software package that consumes too much CPU time. I am using 2.4G Pentium CPU + 512Mbyte memory. During DVD editing process with DV signal, computer lagging badly! It is about 1.5 frames/second. But I can hear movie sound continuously. However, after DVD burning process, the result just likes a good regular DVD. I highly recommend that you use other software to edit your DVD movie. You can find them on-line for pretty good price.
When I use DRX-830U to burn DVD (Verbatim 16X DVD-R), with full DRX-830U burning speed (x18), I fail 3 out of 22 burns with over disk recommend burning speed limit. DRX-830 was not setup properly! If I burn it at 8X, so far there is no problem! It takes less then 10 minutes to complete each DVD burning (>1 hours movie).
Someone has mention about its noise during burning process. Well, it does make some noise, but its noise level similar to a CPU fan, and most of time it is very quire! I use computer more then 6 hours a day, and I burn DVD occasionally. Its noise problem seems does not bother me at all!
It is external model, so it can work for my desktop and laptop computer where I need it. Also, its front panel design looks good! But, its indicator is not very clear to me, such as there is no power indicator! Anyway, it is good enough for my application.
Due to panel design, and software issue, I give this product 4 star! I just purchase it one week ago, and I am going to keep it!
It is a good product, and I will recommend my friend to buy it!
24 of 25 found the following review helpful:
Best of three brands I have tried... Sep 11, 2007
By John Robertson If you're in a hurry, tired, or autistic: Buy.
If you have an enquiring mind and would like to know why it's worth buying, read on. (I would probably give it 4.5 stars if Amazon allowed...hint hint Amazon)
I tried the HP DVD940E and LG GSA-E10L, both of which came with Nero (cannot remember if it was ver 7). Several coasters and sweaty-hours later, I gave up and returned each. Enter the DRX-830U, which installed in minutes and runs nearly perfectly on the XP Pro 2.4Ghz 1GB RAM laptop it connects to. The Nero BackItUp Essentials software crashed once while burning, about the time I plugged a portable hard drive into one of the laptop's USB ports, making a coaster. Also, while mounted vertically, I once tried to gently reposition the drive while a disc was within it, spinning in read mode. I heard two nasty grinding sounds, which I later found out was the edges of the disc scraping against the insides, leaving scrape marks on the DVD's edge. No permanent damage to the disc's read surface or the burner itself, but whenever there's a disc in it, leave the unit completely alone.
There are several positives. The Nero 7 Essentials is a surprisingly large software suite that includes (optional-install) programs to burn DVD's, CD's, edit video, make and use back-ups, play movies, etc. Software like Real Player can do much of this, but I needed another video editor than Windows Movie Maker, and got one essentially free, a nice surprise. I also intentionally left my Roxio CD Creator software installed, despite pg 14 of the owner's manual saying that different writing software may not coexist with Nero. No problems have yet occurred due to Roxio, and I like this version of Nero enough that I may finally remove Roxio for good, but it's nice they apparently work together.
Some other interesting things you may not have read elsewhere:
* The unit must be mounted horizontally if you burn dual-layer discs, or if you happen to use those small 8cm discs (most CD's and DVD's are the 12cm size).
* Yes, it makes more noise when burning, but in all honestly, I'm surprised how much others complain about this. I personally do not care if it makes around ~60 dB of noise when it's burning. I actually like to hear it, so I know it's doing something. Even if it sounded like an air raid siren, I only burn DVD's when backing up, about twice a year. Your ears may differ. (if you read about any false air raid warnings in Phoenix every now and then, you'll know it's me)
* The box says (for) "Windows", but other reviews, and even the owners manual mentions its use with Mac's Toast software.
* If burning data files, you can do it two ways. One, through BackItUp Essentials, which runs a long CRC parity check (2 hours for 27 GB), but which also verifies what you are writing. It did not give the option of burning a second copy, making it necessary to do the whole CRC over again, but it does give the option of compressing or encrypting or making a self-boot disk. The other is to use the StartSmart menu and open a more basic "Make Data DVD", which dispenses with the CRC check and does offer options for more than one copy. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
* I used 16x TDK DVD+R, and they all burned at 16x, at approximately 9 minutes per disc. If using the verify (data after writing) option, it can add another 6 minutes per disc. Remember, this is all going through a USB 2.0 port, which while fast, is not exactly a superhighway to your CPU.
* Regarding speed, Sony also offers the Sony DRX830UL/T External DVD+/-R 18X Double/Dual Layer and Dual Format DVD Drive which offers a FireWire port (also known as iLink in Sony's language). Most people don't realize that a 400Mpbs firewire port (aka S400) is actually faster than a 480Mbps USB 2.0 port (due to significant overhead in USB packets). I have a portable hard drive with both options and firewire is noticeably faster. It may not really matter too much unless you burn a lot of DVD's, but before plunking money down on the 830U, you may want to price compare the 830UL/T unit if you would prefer the speed. As of this review, you'll pay $30-50 more for the firewire option.
* The UG is well written. Most people probably won't need it, but it's better than the wisp of paper you get with some peripherals.
* Oh yeah, and the mirrored front door -- it doesn't show up too well in the photo, but I think it looks a lot nicer in person than the picture on the box or online. Your friends will not accidentally overlook this sitting on your desk.
If I could improve anything about this, I'd like a red LED when it's burning (not just flashing green), plus FireWire S800 and eSATA ports in addition to the USB 2.0. Maybe a slightly smaller footprint when mounted horizontally, and one day, Blu-Ray support. But, for it's sub-$130 price range, I think it is amongst the best burner/software bundles/reliability combinations available today.
19 of 23 found the following review helpful:
disappointing Nov 03, 2006
By dbl Bought the DRX-830U to replace an internal LG burner that gave out after about 6 months of fairly regular use. Have previously had an IOMagic internal that gave out after about 5 months and a Sony 500-series external that still works fine after over 3 years, albeit at 4x max w/no DL capability. I chose the new Sony because of the longevity of older one vs my other models, plus I only paid $70 for it at a major electronics store (on sale).
Installation went fine. Plugged in the cables, turned it on and Win XP automatically loaded software for it. After a required restart I burned by 1st DVD (Sony 16x -R single-layer disk) using Nero Express and was disappointed at the 10+ minute burn time. Took over 3 minutes for the unit to spin up and down over and over before actually starting to write. Also noticed that the unit was considerably louder than my previous 3 burners.
Went to Sony support site, downloaded latest firmware update (SS22) and installed it (unit came with SS20). Install went fine, just be warned that it automatically initiates a Windows shutdown upon completion. No option to delay it.
Burned the same data to new disk and was surprised to find that, even though write process started much more quickly, total burn time increased to over 12 minutes. I immediately tried burning same data one more time. The burn failed after about 4 minutes with just a 'write error' showing up in the log. When I ejected the disk, it was very warm to the touch and I caught a faint whiff of burning silicon(!). I waited a while before trying again, burned the same data one more time, and everything went fine with a burn time of just over 8 minutes. Immediately went to burn another disk of new data and had another failure after about 4 minutes. Disk was again very warm. Tried again immediately afterwards - same result.
Upgraded Nero to latest versions, just to be safe. First burn went ok, a little over 9 minutes, next burn immediately afterwards failed. Faint smell of burning silicon again.
Since then I've burned several disks successfully, but burn times have ranged from 8 to over 15 minutes. I now always wait at least 30 minutes bt burns to let the unit cool off.
Overall, the excessive heat and noise, along with the varied burn times, leaves me disappointed with this unit.
Maybe I just got a lemon?
10 of 11 found the following review helpful:
great external burner Nov 27, 2006
By Trackstar
"trackstar"
I have been using the Sony DRX830U external burner for about over a month and I have not had one problem. I use it both with my PowerbookG4 and Windows box and not a glitch. It has worked with iTunes6 and 7 (listening, ripping and burning audio), Toast 7 and Nero 7 (on the windows machine). I've been burning full dvd images at 16x speed in three and a half minutes with no coasters. It does start off being loud when burning but it quiets down after 5 seconds. My only really complaint is the size (length wise). I doubt the entire dvd-drive is sitting in that long case. Otherwise, it has been a great replacement from my old lite-on external drive.
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Works great with Macs too! Burn speeds much lower than stated. Feb 15, 2007
By Navarro L. Parker
"Motion Graphics Dude"
Despite the box saying Windows-only compatibility, this DVD burner works just fine my Mac Powerbook with Toast 8. However, the burn speed is far slower than Sony claims. I was only able to get around 5x burns with 16x DVD media. It may due to its vertical orientation (vertical drives must burn slower). But overall, a very nice, inexpensive no-frills DVD burner.
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based on 31 reviews
A good DVD product, but Software is not so good! Dec 05, 2006
By Samson Yang
disappointing Nov 03, 2006
By dbl
Works great with Macs too! Burn speeds much lower than stated. Feb 15, 2007
By Navarro L. Parker
"Motion Graphics Dude"
