View Full Version : Sony DRU-530A 8x DVD+RW burner


Gints Klimanis
December 17th, 2003, 05:08 PM
Here it is! However, it still is limited to 4x DVD-R and 2x DVD-RW writes.

Sony’s Internal DVD±RW Drive
DRU-530A

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=zAAlZJGi-bUlcK5CLB8vb96tXkSpKFGNMOc=?CategoryName=cpu_Sony_PCAccessories_CD%2fDVDBurn_DVDBurners&Dept=cpu&TemplateName=item%2fsy_item_b&ProductSKU=DRU530A

Specifications top of page


• Write Speed:
DVD-R: 1X, 2X, 4X** max.
DVD-RW: 1X, 2X** max.
DVD+R: 2.4X, 4X*, 8X** (ZCLV)**max.
DVD+RW: 2.4X, 4X* max.
CD-R: 4X, 12X, 16X**, 24X~32X P-CAV, 40X CAV max.
CD-RW: 4X, 8X, 12X, 16X, 24X PCAV** max.



• Read Speed
DVD-ROM: 12X max.
CD-ROM: 40X max.



• Random Access Time:
200 ms (DVD 12X)
160 ms (CD 40X)



• Sustained Data Transfer Rate:
16.2 MB/s max. (12X DVD-ROM)



• Buffer Memory:
2MB



• Buffer Underrun Protection Technology

Gints Klimanis
December 17th, 2003, 06:44 PM
Uh oh. This review places the drive behind the Plextor.
http://msn-cnet.com.com/Sony_DRU_530A/4505-3205_7-30581840.html?subj=reviews_30581840&part=msn-cnet&tag=feed_4920

This solid multiformat drive can burn a DVD+R in less than 10 minutes, but there are cheaper and faster options on the market.
The good: Writes DVD+R at 8X; good overall performance; solid software bundle.
The bad: No front-panel headphone jack or volume control; programs must be installed one by one; no weekend telephone support.
♦Sony's DRU-530A follows up on the company's hugely successful DRU-510A, which was the fastest and finest multiformat DVD drive around when it was released in June 2003, as well as the first one that wrote DVD+RW at 4X. The DRU-530A gives other formats a speed boost, pushing DVD+R writing to 8X, CD-R to 40X, and CD-RW to 24X, but it does so in the wake of Plextor's remarkable PX-708A which writes DVD+R at 8X--to 4X-rated media, no less--and CD-R/RW at 40X/24X. Although the DRU-530A is faster than its predecessor and is a decent burner overall, it writes slower than both TDK's Indi DVD 840G and Plextor's PX-708A, nor can it write DVD+R at 8X on less expensive 4X media. In short, the DRU-530A will serve you well, but not quite as well as the excellent competition.

Reviewed by Jon L. Jacobi | Full review