I have the 500 external version, and the only problems I had was not turning it on in sequence with my other external devises.

As far as burning with DVD-A, I don't. What I do is to use DVD-A to author a "folder". Then I use NERO to do the actual burning of the DVD's via that folder.

I use DVD+R's for DATA only !

I use DVD-R"s for the actual DVD's for viewing & sharing with others, because the -R's work better with most DVD players.

The Sony 500 series is great, but you do have to play with it.

Pete

I just bought three more DRU 510s from Staples for 199 CAD!!!! THey work just fine with DVD-A. So do the DRX 500/510s.

Peter

Burning +r's or just -r's. The consensus seems to be that they work well with DVDA and -r but not with +R. If +r, what brand of media?

I'm a little bit confused by your post, (+r vs +R), but ...

I use -r's for the DVD's (video) to distribute since in my experience they play on most "older" and "newer" players.

I use +r's for DVD's (data) for archieve purposes (the only reason I started using the +r's for data, is because I had a `stack` of them that did not work for DVD's (video) on my older player, so I used them for "data disks" for archieving my work on the computer.)

Don't get me wrong, the +format works on newer more expesive DVD players, but not on the older ones..... thats why I use the -format for distribution.

As far as BRANDS, I've used Fugi, Verbatim, and Memorex on both format's with equal success on my SONY 500 exteranal DVD burner.

Hope this helps......

Pete

"Burning +r's or just -r's. The consensus seems to be that they work well with DVDA and -r but not with +R. If +r, what brand of media?"

Not sure why you were confused - since it is a dual-format drive, I was asking whether you were successful using +r media or just -r media. You answered the question (using -r for video playback and +r for data backup). I tried out a couple of -r disks and they play fine. For some reason the +r disks I created don't playback on the same players that play +r created on a different burner. They do burn ok and play on my computer - just not on the DVD players. There appears to be something not quite right with the Sony drive and +r. Thanks for you help!

I have the Sony510 External, just burned a DVD+R using cheap Opti-Disc,not what I would give to the client. Just wanted to verify that I can burn +R.

Were you able to play in DVD players. I have been able to burn the +Rs, but they will only play on my PC, not my players that have been able to play +Rs burned on my NEC burner. +RW seems to work and -R even works on an older model that up until now hasn't played anything. Seems like +R is the only problem with this drive.