Sony DRU840A 20x Internal Dual-Layer DVD Burner

See it at Amazon.com for $50.00

Average Customer Rating
(4.5 out of 5)

Amazon Customer Reviews

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Easy to install and use

This was my first time installing internal PC hardware. The illustrated instructions are short and simple. I had it going in a very short time and have burned 4 DVD's (Maxell brand DVD+R) all with success. Used 8x writing speed to make sure my computer could keep up, so I have not tested it on higher speeds.
The bundled Nero software is also easy to use without reading any manual and made a very professional looking DVD menu easily.

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Nice to find a burner that works flawlessly

I purchased this burner at Best Buy to replace my Lite-On Dvd burner which had died. The Lite-on didn't work well when it was healthy! The Sony which was only 54.00 installed in minutes and had me burning DVD's within half an hour. It burns fast and flawlessly... I have yet to make a coaster on this burner. Buy it, you'll love its' depenability.

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How I installed this in my old Dell without knowing anything...

It is best to have 2 DVD writers, and not the same brand, so that at least one of them then will be likely to play any playable disc. One external DVD writer using USB 2.0 is nice, because you can move it between computers if the need arises. However that might be more expensive.

I.e., often it is best to order only one DVD writer with your computer, and for the other:

a) Surf the Amazon reviews and decide which brands are the best, excluding whatever brand came with your computer.
b) Take note of the 'Processor' speed of your computer
(Start...Accessories...System Tools...System Information. Never mind whether it is 'Pentium' or not. It is the 'Mhz' value for the 'Processor' that counts.)
c) Wait until one such brand with appropriate processor requirements is on sale at a good price and then buy it--whether it is 'internal' or 'external.'

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P.S.--Click the 'comments' link below for some excellent points on compatability by Phillip Rayner.
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In my case, I actually had no internal DVD writer, but one external HP DVD-1040. I wanted another for my now frequent DVD copying and to prevent early wear--and I did not want 2 externals. So when I spotted this internal Sony DRU-840 on sale for $50, I made my move.

I managed to install this myself, without reading the full instructions, and without finding the instructions to my Dell Dimension 2400 either.

The 'quick start' guides that come with the DRU-80 are encouraging, but not quite accurate for the Dell. Firstly, only one side of the case opens, not the entire case. This means that only one side of the bay is easily accessible, so screws etc. are put only on one side.

Secondly, the Dell tower has a plastic frame over the front, which needs to swing open, to allow for the new unit to slide in. To do so, you need to feel around the inside of that plastic frame, until you find one of two plastic clasps, and push it outwards. (A man with thick fingers might need a smaller person to do this. The upper clasp might also be released by pressing on a steel spring that can be seen, but on mine that doesn't work.)

Thirdly, after the installation, I had to use a utility knife to trim away some of the Dell's plastic frame, because it was in the way of the opening of the tray of the DRU-840A.

Incidentally:

--I originally assumed that I would need to remove the CD drive that came with my Dell. That might have been complicated. Fortunately, by poking around with a flat screwdriver, I discovered that a section of the Dell's plastic frame could be removed, to reveal a space for a second bay, without removing the existing CD writer! 'Slave' plugs, as depicted in the Sony quickstart guides, were all there and waiting.

--Then, as also clearly depicted in a Sony quickstart guide, the main thing is to determine whether your new DVD writer is to be a 'master' or a 'slave.' In my case, leaving in the old CD writer, and adding this new DVD writer onto the extra plugs on the same cable, clearly made this a 'slave' unit. This meant I needed to move the position of a white connector, on the back of the DVD writer, as depicted in the Sony quickstart guide.

--This Sony comes with a white plastic face, and includes a black plastic face. My Dell is black, but I left on the white face. It looks alright. Also, this gave me a white space just inside the tray on which to write with a Sharpie, 'DRU-840A.' Otherwise there is no label. (However you can always right-click on the drive's icon for its 'properties' inside of your 'My Computer' folder.)

So far, I have copied about two dozen DVD's with no trouble. Except sometimes, I have to re-insert a blank DVD a couple times for the software to recognize it as blank media.

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DVD Burner

It works great. Much faster than the one we previously owned and now able to do dual layer DVDs. We would highly recommend this burner.

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So Far, Very Pleased

I too had a Dell with a dead DVD-RW drive. I purchased this unit as a replacement. It installed flawlessly and although I don't care too much for the software yet the unit works very well and that's what matters!

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