Hewlett Packard DVD200i 2.4x2.4x8 Internal IDE DVD+RW Drive

by HP

Product Details

Product Manual [7.07mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000649CI
• Item model number: HEWRETAILQ2101A
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 7, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The HP DVD200i DVD writer is a complete, super combo DVD+RW solution for workstations. Store up to 4.7 GB of images, video, graphics, or data on long-lasting DVDs. Write to either DVD+RW rewritable or DVD+R write-once discs and then view them from most DVD players and drives. Create original movies and music CDs, and store your MP3s as well. It's easy to make DVDs and CDs using a drive that serves both DVD+RW and CD-RW functions.

Bundled software includes HP MyDVD by Sonic; PowerDVD by CyberLink; and HP DLA, HP RecordNow, and HP Simple Backup by Veritas.

The HP DVD200i comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality, speed and reliability from HP, May 6, 2002

By 

"peng1606" (San Fernando, Trinidad) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hewlett Packard DVD200i 2.4x2.4x8 Internal IDE DVD+RW Drive (Personal Computers)

I have always trusted HP when it came to add-ons for my computer, having had good experience with their CD-Writer Plus 8200i and Scanjet 3200c. This drive came on the market just as I was looking for a DVD Burner to use with my Canon Digital Camcorder. Based on the DVD+RW technology, this drive was a deal I could not resist. This latest model from HP which allows recording to both DVD+R and DVD+RW, was an improvement over their previous model DVD100i, which only allowed recording to DVD+RW media. I had a chance to install this model on a friend's computer and it worked beautifully. One of the fastest DVD burning speed on the market - 2.4x....Also records to CD-R/RW. This made me decide to order one for myself. ... Plugged it into the system and Windows recognised it without a hitch. Comes bundled with the great, easy to use software. Transferred video from my camcorder and in no time I had my first home made DVD of my newborn son for Mom. It played without a hitch in her home DVD player. Although DVD+RW technology is in competition with older more established DVD-R/RW, more manufacturers are making drives in this format. Great deal and price. ... Definite MUST buy if u are looking for a good burner.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some Comments and Advice, December 17, 2002

By 

skeptic1 (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hewlett Packard DVD200i 2.4x2.4x8 Internal IDE DVD+RW Drive (Personal Computers)

As with any piece of hardware, using the proper software is most important. This is especially true for burning CDs and DVDs. Here are some comments on my experience with the hp dvd200 and the software that comes with it. I use the hp dvd200e, the external version of the drive and Windows ME on a 1ghz Pentium 3 with 128mb RAM.

The drive ships with hp RecordNow burning software, a scaled down version of Stomp's RecordNow Max. When I initially used the HP version of RecordNow, I encountered errors burning files onto DVD+R's, a very frustrating experience given the cost of blank DVDs. I experienced only a 30-50% success rate. Then I downloaded and purchased Stomp's full version of RecordNow Max 4.5 and all problems were solved. Now I have a 100% success rate, without any problems whatsoever.

So my advice is to get the full version of RecordNow Max. This is not unusual -- rarely do you want to use the scaled down versions of software that always ship with hardware. Stomp allows you to download a free 30-day evaluation copy of RecordNow Max 4.5 so you can try before you buy and make sure you really need it. Maybe the hp version of RecordNow max will work fine for you.

The hp DLA software that ships with the drive works great. DLA is what you use to save files directly onto a DVD+RW as if saving files directly to a hard drive. It operates invisibly, allowing you to either drag and drop files onto the DVD+RW or use Windows Explorer's "Send To" menu option to send files to the DVD+RW.

The software that ships with the drive for watching DVDs on the computer (PowerDVD) works great.

I use Nero Burning Rom to burn CDs and have a 100% success rate. The drive supports overburning so you can burn 85 minutes of music onto an 80 minute CD-R (maybe more, but I stop at 85 minutes). The hp dvd200 burns CD-Rs better and faster than my Sony CD-RW drive. I've abandoned my CD-RW and use the HP dvd200 exclusively now. Stomp's full version of RecordNow also works great for burning audio CDs, so if you do not already own and use Nero or another burning program you will be in good shape.

I use Adobe Premier and Pinnicle Studio for video editing. I never even bothered to try the video editing software that ships with the hp drive.

Make sure you upgrade the firmware on the hp dvd200, which is simply a software download from the hp website. Not a problem.

Blank DVDs are expensive. Google search for multi-packs of 10, 25, or 50 DVDs to get a reasonable price. I find that Ritek DVDs work best with the HP drive.

I had none of the problems with installation or compatability that others here have reported. Just follow the directions on setting up the drive and the software, all of which are very simple. HP has good technical support if you have any problems.

Before getting the HP drive, I tried the Que dvd burner. I found the HP drive to be superior.

I hope this helps.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good choice for DVD recorders, September 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Hewlett Packard DVD200i 2.4x2.4x8 Internal IDE DVD+RW Drive (Personal Computers)

I purchased the DVD200i after 6 months of research. The major factor for deciding on the +R/RW format was that it offered both quality data storage while providing a great DVD-Video solution. The 2.4x speed doesn't hurt either. The format wars don't seem to be an issue as both + and - fill a niche. Additionally, my DVD+R played in 9/10 DVD players and 8/10 DVD-ROM drives tested.

Reading the other reviews, I have to agree in that I was under-whelmed by the provided software. MyDVD is not great, and DLA does have compatibility issues with other CDR software. I chose not to use MyDVD, choosing instead Ulead DVD Workshop 1.2 (a very good product). Since I don't want to use DLA, I use NERO as the DVDR/CDR recording application.

I also upgraded the firmware to the latest edition (1.27) which helped a lot. There were some problems reading discs under Windows XP Pro, but the firmware solved them.

I am anxious to see the new Sony DRU500A, -RW and +RW combo drive. But, I will wait for the bug report and 4x media to come out first...