Customer Reviews

Sony DRX-700UL Double Layer FireWire/USB 2.0 External DVD±RW Drive

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've had this drive for about three weeks now and I'v encountered no problems at all with it. I've burned movies to dvd-/+ r and rw discs as well as cd-r/rw discs and haven't had a bad burn yet. I use Intervideo DVD Copy, Nero 6 (not the software of it that came with the drive since I already owned Nero 6) and so far Fuji and Sony discs (cds and dvds) along with Windows XP home edition. I have a Pentium 4/ 2.80 GHz processor with 1 GB ram so that's far above the minimum requirements of the drive, but I doubt that has anything to do with it. It's a great external drive so far and worked as soon as I plugged it into my computer using the USB 2.0 port. Windows XP recognized it immediately and I popped in a dvd and watched it and then burned one to test it out and everything was fine. Since then no problems. As far as the drive's physical design, it seems plenty sturdy and nothing on it seems fragile and likely to break. The tray only seems like it would break if I forcefully pushed down on it (but what drive wouldn't if that was done to it?). Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and am looking forward to when the availabilty of dual layered dvdrs increases and the price of those same dual layered discs drops. But for now it deals with regular 4.7GB dvdrs and cdrs just fine.

I bought and intalled this drive on a computer below specifications. I am running it on a Pentium III 550 running Windows XP. Have burned many discs and have never had a problem. I have it in the upright position and just hit the open/close button and never touch the plastic door or fear breaking it per the previous review.

Great software, no issues with anything. Everything just runs a bit slower since my computer is below spects.

I bought this from best buy. It doesn't burn fast. It only burns top speed with certain types of blank media. And Sony's firmware update changed my drive into a DRX 700UA. So now I can't get the latest firmware updates. Don't buy this drive. Don't make the mistake I did. Just buy some fast internal drive.

If you try to use any media except that approved by Sony (they get a kick back) then you will only produce successful burns at single speed. Other speeds will produce a 'coaster' with distinct spiraling in the burn pattern where the laser power has been deliberatly messed about with. We all expect low quality media to be a bit flaky, but with Sony even high quality discs will fail because the blank manufacturer does not have a relationship with Sony. The latest firmware attempts to hide the spiraling by varying the laser power less obviously, but you can still see the tell-tale problem by turning the burned disc in direct sun-light.

I have hacked my firmware and can now produce good discs on good media at the highest speeds - in that case my rating would be four stars. But out of the box this drive deserves a negative rating.

This worked intermittently since I bought it. Now it won't even recognize media (even Sony Media). I waited too long so now I can't return it (my bad).

This is the worst computer purchase I have ever made.

Forget the sleek looks of Sony and buy something that actually works.

My Sony DVD drive is not even 2 years old and has now stopped working. For me to get it fixed, it will cost me $20 for them to troubleshoot it and $170 to fix it!!! That is more than it costs to buy a new burner. The warranty is only 1 year. Their customer service is also horrible if you ever have a problem. I just want to warn people before they go buying Sony computer products.

I purchased this drive being excited to be on the cutting edge with it's dual layer support. I was very dissappointed with it. The build quality is very cheap, the drive door is light plastic and will easily break off when open if you are not careful. I have tried burning to DVD with about a half dozen different disc brands and none of them are working. I am refering to single layer standard discs as I have not yet tried the dual layer discs. I have tried 1 times burns speeds up to four times burn speeds. I have tried several different software burning products and none of them work, even the Nero Burning Rom that shipped with this drive does not work in DVD Video mode. I can't believe it. I am returning this drive to Amazon for a full refund. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRIVE. Windows XP recognizes the drive okay but no software can burn to it. This is a real joke and the product should never have been released.