Sony DRX-500ULX
Enjoy the flexibility of being able to read from and write to just about any type of existing optical media using Sony's DRX-500ULX external dual-format (DVD/CD) rewriteable disc drive. It supports all popular DVD formats, from standard DVD-Video to DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW. Now you can choose the DVD recordable media having the optimal compatibility with your playback hardware.
The drive offers high-performance CD-R/CD-RW burning, too--perfect for authoring your own custom music mixes or for transferring your home videos to video CD for easy sharing with friends and family.
Included is a powerful software bundle of industry-standard applications for creating and editing DVD-Video discs from camcorder and VCR footage, backing up your valuable data, storing and sharing large files, and watching DVD movies on your PC.
The drive, which you can mount either vertically or horizontally, supports both USB 2.0 and i.Link connections (IEEE1394/FireWire-compatible).Amazon.com Product Description
Sony DRX-500ULX
Sony DRX-500ULX
What's in the Box
Disc drive, AC power cord, user's manual, warranty information, and a CD-ROM including Veritas RecordNow DX CD/DVD (mastering software), Vertias DLA drive letter recording software, Veritas Simple Backup (backup software), Sonic Solutions MyDVD (DVD-Video authoring software), ArcSoft ShowBiz (video-editing software), Cyberlink PowerDVD (DVD player software), MusicMatch Jukebox (so you can play, record, and organize your music).
From the Manufacturer
Sony takes the risk out of buying a DVD recorder by bringing all the popular DVD formats into a single drive. The amazing new DRX-500ULX burns DVD+R, DVD+RW, and even CD-R/CD-RW discs. (DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs recorded on this drive may not play back on some older or entry-level DVD systems. The write-once DVD+R or DVD-R discs are more compatible for interchange with other DVD systems.)
External USB 2.0/i.LINK interface drive includes an impressive software bundle and is compatible with Windows 98SE/2000, Windows Millennium Edition and Windows XP operating systems.
Please record responsibly. Before copying anything onto a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R or DVD+RW, please be sure you are not violating copyright laws.
Features and specifications: Sony introduces world's first external 4x DVD+/-RW drive Records on DVD+RW/+R and DVD-RW/R media and standard CD-R/RW discs so you can choose the right disc for the task at hand Sonic Solutions MyDVD DVD-Video/Video CD authoring software will turn your home movies into DVDs or Video CDs for easy sharing Protect your valuable data against system failures by backing up with included backup software, Veritas Simple Backup Burn custom music CDs, share photos and video, and so much more! External USB 2.0/i.Link Interface for easy connectivity Write speed: DVD-R: 1x, 2x, 4x maximum; DVD-RW: 1x, 2x maximum; DVD+R: 2.4x, 4x maximum; DVD+RW: 2.4x maximum; CD-R: 4x, 12x, 16x, 24x Z-CLV maximum; CD-RW: 4x, 10X maximum Read speed: DVD-ROM: 8x maximum; CD-ROM: 32x maximum Random access time: 210 ms (DVD 8x), 160 ms (CD 32x) Sustained data transfer rate: 11.4 Mbps (8x DVD-ROM) Interface: USB 2.0/1.1 and i.Link (IEEE1394 compatible); USB 1.1 supported at significantly slower speeds Buffer memory: 8 MB Buffer underrun protection technology Supported disc formats: DVD-ROM, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-Video CD, CD-DA, CD-ROM (XA), CD Extra, Video CD, Photo CD, CD Text, multi-session System Requirements: Pentium III 400 MHz or faster (or equivalent) CPU minimum. Pentium III 800 MHz or faster (or equivalent) CPU is recommended for real time video authoring/editing, 64 MB of RAM (128 MB or more is recommended), and 1 GB of free hard disk drive space OS: Windows 98SE/2000, ME, and XP Home and Professional Sony warrants this data-storage product against defects in material or workmanship as follows: LABOR: For a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase from Sony or its local representative supplier, Sony will repair defective Product (or, at its option, replace it with a new or reconditioned Product) at no charge. After this 1 year period, you must pay for all labor charges. PARTS: For a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase from Sony or its local representative supplier, Sony will supply, at no charge, new or rebuilt replacement parts in exchange for defective parts of this Product. Any replacement parts will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or ninety (90) days from installation by Sony. All exchanged parts replaced under this warranty will become the property of Sony. This warranty only covers the hardware components packaged with the Product. This warranty does not cover any software contained in or included with the Product; any such software is provided "AS IS". Please refer to any documentation included with the software for your rights and obligations with respect to the software.
Sony DRX-500ULX
Test Report
Best writer I've ever owned., July 20, 2003 Reviewer: Fred Mertz "Fred Mertz" (Paterson, NJ USA) - Keep this in mind about externals, right off the bat: you generally cannot boot from them, so if your system needs bootable CD ability, you need to get the internal version of this item, or a low-cost read-only backup.
Now, caveat aside, I've owned no faster or more reliable writer than this. The Firewire *and* USB 2.0 option lets me take this to any PC manufactured in the last three years and do my work. Emergency backup of a system? No problem. Burn DVDs? No problem, and the firmware is even flashable for future refinements.
The software bundle is typical Sony: abundant, useful, right on. Still, Nero is the only software I'll use, and it has no problem handling this drive. The Sony-bundled DVD player software is pretty slick, nice options, skinnable.
One thing I'd rather see is the eject button above the tray, but that's a minor point. It's a solid device, some bumpers on either side to help cushion it in a workspace, and a clean design.
If you're going external, this is my only choice. Internal, to be honest, I'd probably go with its sister drive, the 500A. Sony's done it again.
The worst SONY product ever, December 14, 2004
Reviewer: Garcia Marquez "JJ" (Mexico) - See all my reviews
I bought this Sony DRX-500ULX in order to record my videos from a digital camera, also SONY, connected to a SONY VAIO, and in just a few words DON'T BUY THIS, it needs 20 GB of space in hard disk and if you burn a dvd probably you can't play it in your home dvd.
Beware of Sony DVD burners!!!, November 16, 2004 Reviewer: PhishinUA (Colorado) - My Sony DVD drive is not even 2 years old and has now stopped working. For me to get it fixed, it will cost me $20 for them to troubleshoot it and $170 to fix it!!! That is more than it costs to buy a new burner. The warranty is only 1 year. Their customer service is also horrible if you ever have a problem. I just want to warn people before they go buying Sony computer products.
excellent!, April 10, 2004 Reviewer: An electronics fan after trying a few writers I found that this one has been the most compatible.
easy to use
great software with buffer underrun protection!!
over a thousand dvd's burned and still going strong.
priced right and portable
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