As far as burning right now at 4x, you may find that the results aren't that great.
For 2x burning I use Fuji which I get at BJ's wholesale club for 13.99 a package of 5. They work great. I have used Pioneer brand which works very well but it is more expensive. Apple works well and they have recently lowered their prices. Be very careful about firmware updates. Pioneer has been pretty irresponsible with firmware design. Don't get flash happy. Use this website as a reference before taking the plunge with firmware upgrades.:

http://forum.firmware-flash.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=abc1717fe8e42e4091e7689640dd9fbb

As far as test results with brands on various burners and lowest prices go to :

http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdmedia.php

John

Got any hot deals on that new Sony 500U
or whatever its name is?

The one that can do everything including baking your cake.

I'll post them if I see them. Models are: Sony DRU500A and Sony DRX500UL. The $50 rebate promotion expires 1/31/03.
Here is the rebate link for starters:

http://cache.bizrate.com/deal_pdf/73460--DRX500UL.pdf

Good at certain stores (listed on the form).

Glad you appreciate the help.

John

wcoxe1: Ah, but can it bake a +cake or a -cake?

"wcoxe1: Ah, but can it bake a +cake or a -cake?"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It will do both so I guess that will that give you a pan-cake?
John

As long as it isn't a coaster, I'll byte.

Thanks, I'll look them up. As one of V4's "Approved" units, I hope I can afford it.

I looked up that $50.00 offer on the Sony DRU-500A. It is only good until 31 January 2003, AND, only at the listed stores.

I checked the ones I could locate on the web, and EVERY ONE I FOUND had the unit at exactly $349.00.

Looking ELSEWHERE, I found it for less, but the coupon wasn't good there.

I'll keep my eye out. I check the deal sites every morning. There is time to make the deadline for the rebate, especially if an in-store deal comes up in any of the participating stores. Otherwise, wait a bit. I am sure Sony will have another incentive or a price reduction or both.

I did find another deal for a Philips Standalone which isn't much more than the Sony:

Tech Depot has the Philips DVDR985 DVD Recorder for $599.00

http://www.techdepot.com/Product.asp?ProductID=1391755&siteid=*7WaaTN6umc-kkuSDApPA7rk6UcLYHIA9A&iid=342&Gateway=-1&SID=5JWAU817SK3U9G6SU6P42SB4VPN5BVS6&ODServer=www.officedepot.com

Use $15 off $200 Code : LST363 to bring it down to $584.00

Use $50 rebate to bring it down to $534

http://images.pricegrabber.com/rebates/2069.pdf

CNET Review

http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342369-1304-8408354.html

SPECS :

Product type DVD recorder


Form factor Tabletop


Media load type Tray


Media type CD-R, CD-RW, SVCD, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD, Video CD


Surround effects TruSurround 3D Sound


Progressive scan Yes


Recording mode SP, LP, EP, HQ
Audio Features
Audio D/A converter 24bit / 96kHz


Audio connectors 2 x audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear, 2 x composite video/audio output ( RCA phono x
3 ) - rear, 1 x composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - front


Digital audio format Dolby Digital output, DTS digital output


CD playback mode(s) A-B repeat, intro scan, all tracks repeat, one track repeat


Dynamic range 100 dB


Response bandwidth 4 - 44000 Hz


Signal-to-noise ratio 105 dB
Video Features
Video D/A converter 10bit / 27MHz


Video connectors 1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - front, 1 x composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3
) - front, 2 x composite video/audio output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - rear, 1 x S-Video output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - rear



DVD repeat modes A-B repeat, all, title, chapter


Picture zoom Yes


Picture zoom power 1.33x, 2x, 4x


Picture modes Pan and scan, widescreen, letterbox


Search speed 32x, 4x, 8x


Parental lock Yes


Slow motion speed 1/8, 1/4, 1/2


Multi-camera angle select Yes


Multi-language select Yes


Multi-subtitle select Yes
Physical Characteristics
Enclosure color Silver


Depth 13 in


Height 4.2 in


Width 17.1 in


Weight 12.1 lbs


Cable(s) included 1 x coaxial RF cable - external, 1 x S-Video cable - external, 2 x video cable - external, 2 x
audio cable - external
Warranty
Service / Support 1 year warranty

Just ordered the Cendyne/Pioneer 105 fromStaples.com. Deal went smooth. Printed rebate form. RebatesHQ is very good at honoring rebates from Staples. Final cost will be $149.94 + tax.

The OfficeMax deal will have to be done in the store. They ship from Texas and have indicated that you wouldn't receive the burner in time for the rebate expiration date which is Jan 31.

Also just ordered the Cendyne. Thanks for the tip!

I can't get the purchasing price to be lower than $249. Either I'm missing the instant savings or the coupon code. Or someone didn't calculate the savings right. Have any ideas of what's wrong?

JBJones

Sounds like you need to apply the 79169 coupon code during checkout. There is a button to click to enter the code.

That's right. I've just placed my order, too. Now we'll have to see if Staples backs out of the deal. A few months back I purchased an additional 120GB drive through Dell that had cascading rebates. Original price was about $250; my net (including shipping) was about $55. It was a strictly legitimate purchase--I think someone at corporate had simply not kept track of all the offers. At first Dell tried to back out, but eventually came forward with the rebates. Good for them.

can someone help me out with getting one of these units, a freind in the US is going to do it for me, but im in the UKm and cant seen to figure out what to do on the website, i can see thedrive at the special offer page at $199 but how do i add it to a checkout and get the extra $50, ?? if my friend was to go in the store wheres the 79169 coupon to print out??/
any help appreciated
regards
Simon

The Staples coupon code has to be entered at checkout. Go to the first post and follow the directions. It's kind of late in the day. Sorry, I was out all day. The coupon codes will SOMETIMES be accepted at the stores depending upon the sales help and whether or not managers get involved. If you are in the UK, I am not sure it is worthwhile buying it here and having it shipped.
John

Well. I purchased mine. Total price from Staples is $211.94 after tax. I guess after the $50 rebate nd the $0.37 stamp to mail the form, that will make my final price right at $162.31

JBJones

John,

Do you recommend any good sites that list good deal on hard drives? I'm looking for a great deal on the western digital 120 gig 8 meg buffer drive. I check www.techbargins each day. Any other good sites?

Thanks,

Berto

www.fatwallet.com
www.anandtech.com
www.bensbargains.com
www.techdeals.net
www.xpbargains.com

If you need more let me know, but those should suffice. Anandtech is kind of annoying because the moderators tend to be collective ignorami. For example, you can say that there are coupons but you aren't allowed to post the codes. And, if you were screwed by a vendor you aren't allowed to post it on that forum.


I have two WD1200JB drives. I bought them both from Dell with coupons combined with promotions, sales and rebates. The final cost of the first one was $110 after a $75 rebate over a year ago and the final cost of the second one was $80 after the $100 rebate from a November deal. Get the retail boxed version (ends in RTL)....no rebates on OEM drives. Also, WDC has changed their warranties. No more three year warranty.

Well, I just got an email from Staples saying the Cendyne 4x was out of stock untill about January 27 and I would have to place an order again. I guess that's probably the date when the sale ends.

JBJones

That's too bad. Mine arrived today from an address in NY. Installed easily. Haven't done any burning yet but it plays DVDs just fine so far.

I ordered mine Sunday, Recieved it today, $149.00, I am very happy. Thanks for all your help.
Phil