Customer Reviews

TDK AID+440 4X Multiformat Internal DVD/RW Drive

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

It took me quite a lot of research to figure out what I should look for in a DVD burner. I'm still not an expert, but I learned a few things that could come in handy for someone like me who's not sure what to look for.
Basically, it boils down to this: you want a DVD burner that can Read and Write +R/RW and -R/RW discs. This burner does exactly that. The -R/RW is an older standard that is supported by almost all DVD players (old and new) while the +R/RW is a newer standard that is supported by newer DVD players. The +R/RW discs typically cost less than the -R/RW discs (for obvious reasons). And that really is all there is to it from a hardware compatibility issue: either your DVD player can read the discs that you intend to burn, or it can't (regardless of the software you use).
But software is a big issue. If you want to make copies of movies, you'll have to spend money on good software. What's included with this TDK burner (Roxio Easy CD/DVD Creator6) is basic software good for creating music CDs and data CDs. You will not be able to copy DVD movies. There is free software available for ripping (extracting) movies from the DVD. But the ripped files are only good on a computer. If you burn them on a DVD, the DVD player will not be able to play it like a movie. It will think it's just a data file.
Bottom line: This DVD burner is great (the hardware at least) - I was able to burn files (data files, jpegs, etc) on both +R/RW and -R/RW discs. I was also able to read them back from both my DVD drive and my CD drive. I was also able to play DVD movies using this DVD burner. But the software is too basic and you'll have to spend more if you want to backup DVD movies.
By the way, the box also includes one -R writeable disc and one +RW writeable disc. Both worked fine. I would recommend buying this burner if it's priced like it is now...

Ammendment:
I bought this dvd burner nearly 2 years ago now. It was a good buy then, and has done me very well. It is extremely slow by todays standards. You can buy something better for $60 now.


DVD burner worked pretty well. But if you have a lot of burning to do the software just won't do. Roxio software is just full of bugs. The Easy cd/dvd program works ok, but doesn't have near the options of something like nero. DVD builder sucks in various ways (extremely buggy and very little features), so don't plan on using it to make your own movies. Roxio also has only average customer support. The guys there basically have a list of things to tell you to try, and don't know much more than that. BTW my box only came with a +R and -R and no RW like someone elses came with.

I picked this burner up after returning the poloroid and memorex dvd burner. Picked up dvd xcopy express and works great for backing up movies. I haven't had any problems. Also have the TDK external dvd burner for the laptop. Roxio is user friend but does not have a lot of features for me. This burner seems to be the best compatible for me. I picked up a 25 pack of FUJIFULM DVD+R and that seems to be the best media out there for this burner and my dvd player.

After having used a cheap DVD Writer (I/O Magic), and returning it in 5 days, I got this today for ONLY $79.99 at Circuit City on account of Thanksgiving Sale. It was almost too good to believe since it retails at almost $170 on average.
I can clearly see the difference between JUNK like I/O Magic and
TDK. It has worked like a CHARM!!
For those who are complaining need to get a reality Check.
I have not even touched the included Software, for none other than DVD-X-COPY can copy the DVDs. Rest software on market can only copy Home Made movies and fail to copy CSS protected DVDs.

I have used Memorex DVD-R and 4 in a row.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! You may not get a deal like I got :)

I bought the TDK DVD drive and it was not able to recognize DVD+RW media after writing to the media one time. (DVD+R media worked fine.) This problem had existed since I purchased the drive. I "chatted" with tech support and they agreed that it was a hardware problem with the drive. When I called tech support for an RMA number, they informed me that I was past the warranty period (by a couple of months). I requested they cover the repair anyway as a gesture of goodwill, since the drive had never worked properly. THEY AGREED TO REPAIR THE DRIVE! Now that is what I call great support. Had the drive failed after the warranty period expired, it would not be right for anyone to expect TDK to repair the product. As it is, I feel that TDK has shown incredible integrity and gone above and beyond the call of duty. Hat's off to TDK!

The drive is a solid drive and installs easily. I suggest using Nero software with this drive, instead of the bundled software.

Plextors px-712a and Nec's 3500a are much much faster, support more formats(no the tdk is not universal),and cost less. My plexy has never produced a single coaster and can write a 700mb cdr in just under 2 min. Either one can be had for under $100. Check around there are way better drives produced by "generic" companies than anything tdk or hp has ever released.

Only 4x? One of the slowest I've used even at 4x speed. Pextor's PX-712a or Nec's latest 3500a write much faster and consistent(12x for the plexy, 16 x for nec). They both support more formats(Nec=all known formats, Plextor=all except dual layer write).Plus cdr/cdrw is much much faster at 48x, about 2 min tops for any cdr. I don't know how they justify the price of this drive as you can get more than double the performance for less. Nec's can be had for under $100, do a search.

I read the above reviews and reviews on other sites.. The other site reviewers seem to like it a whole lot more. See DVDRHelp.com... Anyway I bought it and love it. No complaints what so ever.

I read some of the reviews and thought this would be a good burner for the price. Boy, was I wrong! I've had nothing but problems getting the thing to work! I bought X Copy to compensate for the lousy SW, but even that didn't solve the probems. I thought it might be the TDK DVD's I was using, so I tried Sony's to no avail. TDK Customer Service was absolutely no help, telling me to return it if I wasn't happy. (Can you believe that?!!! Who taught these people about customer service?)

Well, I'm reasonably computer saavy (I'm the guy my colleagues come to with PC questions) and knew my problems weren't "user error", so I took their unbelievable advice. I returned the TDK drive and bought the Sony internal DVD RW Combo Drive (DRU510A). Surprise, surprise! Works like a charm - using Sony and Memorex DVDs, so far. I tried to use the TDK's I had left... all told, I ended up with 20 coasters out of a 25 disk pack!

Bad burner and bad disks at the same time? Either I'm incredibly unlucky, or TDK is having quality issues (or, I suppose, they just make crap). Throw that in with the ridiculous customer support, and I won't be buying TDK products again.

I recommend you look elsewhere for your computer product needs. The Sony was more expensive, but it works!

I received this item as a gift, so I can't really complain. At the moment I am still running Windows 98SE on an HP Pavilion that meets the minimum system requirements for this drive - at least according to what's printed on the side of the box. On the + side, this drive is *so* fast at burning CD's I'm still getting used to it! On the minus... well, there must be some incompatibility either with Win98SE or with my Pavilion (Athlon III?) because no matter what I try the 'DVD Builder' program simply will not respond. Not much help on the TDK site either. So, if I'd paid money for this and was stuck with my computer I would be angry. But as I said it was a gift and I am buying a brand new Dell (never again HP!!) with a builtin DVD+RW drive so I don't care.