Anyone have any comments on this?

I just got one. So far it works great.
It comes with PowerDVD player, Veritas Backup and ShowBiz which is a neat DVD editing program. I'd recommend Nero over the Veritas Backup software though.
It's one of the few USB ones out there for the price.

Also, you need DVD+R,DVD+RW media only (or CD-R). DVD-R is much cheaper ...but it won't use it

I've just recently perfected copying my personal DVDs onto 2 DVD+Rs.

I've just recently perfected copying my personal DVDs onto 2 DVD+Rs

Just curious, but why would you do that?

I've read that the hardware is great but the software is weak, at best. If you are not planning on using HP software, all reports show it as a good piece. Maybe EDub has a comment on the software, sounds like he has used it. The HP web site shows it at $349.
I want one too, I just can't seem to pull the trigger.

Hmmm... it won't use DVD-R? Is that a really bad thing? As far as I understand, DVD+R is more compatible with DVD-ROM both in PCs and standalone players. Am I right ot just gibbering on?

Have you made use of the firewire connections?

From what I have read, you are right, but I am still gathering information as well.
The only negative I can find out about the hardware is that the emergency eject hole will only accept a small paper clip.

DVD-R is more compatible, AFAIK. Although, DVD+R has some extra features which may be desirable.

Anandtech, and VcdHelp seem to think so.

From AnandTech...

"DVD+R is a format that only was introduced to the public very recently (early 2002). DVD+R is a write-once 4.7 GB format which promises to dramatically increase the compatibility with standalone DVD-Video players and DVD-ROM drives. Whether that claim is fulfilled remains to be seen, but initial reports have been very positive."

With the fact that this article is 5 months old, I'm sure there have been more conclusive tests done. I just didn't trust the "promises."


But before I stick my foot in my mouth again, I'll just keep quiet.

Right now I have my eye on the Sony DRU-500A. Why? To skip past all the standards crap and be able to burn almost any consumer level disc format out today (It seems to be missing DVD-RAM support).

Of course if I bought it, it would go against my Mac OS X conversion. Hopefully something similar to this drive will appear with iDVD compatibility when I look to buy next year.

if you want to buy one for ~270$ shipped from dell, here's the anandtech forum link

coupon is B9549BF60B01 but expires the 9th.

I've been doing my homework. Sony will be releasing an external Dual-Format DVD writer (-R/-RW and +R/RW) in November.

I was going to get the HP dvd200e, but I think I'll wait a month.

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2121995,00.html

The HP web site shows it at $349

That is the price they have listed for the DVD200i, which is the top pick on Cnet. The DVD200e is the external version that I believe uses both a USB2 and firewire interface.

its already out, the DRX-500UL, its not listed on their site as yet, but there are a few companies that have it for sale. here is the cheapest I have found it so far:

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=671464&adcampaign=email,ECOSTPG

The reason of splitting an Original DVD onto 2 DVDs is to have the DVD after you have bought them as a couple but are no longer together..
DVD+R go for about $2.30/per disk which is more expensive than the DVD-R..but in the grand scheme of things..no biggie.

Since most original DVDs are dual layered it takes (2) 4.7 GB discs to make a copy. I'm not sure this might violate some (C) laws but I think I can live it fine.

Yes, the software it comes with (Veritas Backup) isn't that great. It's very basic.

One thing I do like is that with a DVD+RW you can right click on the drive and format the DVD to be just like a hard drive..drag n drop..etc.

The reason of splitting an Original DVD onto 2 DVDs is to have the DVD after you have bought them as a couple but are no longer together..

I appologize, but I didn't quite understand that.

The Sony DRU-500A (internal drive) is on the Dell web site for $268.56 with free shipping.

Anyone know of a supplier in UK for the Sony DRX-500UL?

Yes - why not just copy it once. The original purchaser keeps the original and the ex-partner gets the copy.

I'm fairly certain it still counts as breaking the law, and it does indicate a high level of pessimism or forward planning.

It does get copied once, but has to fit on 2 discs. I don't think I've seen DVD-Rs greater than 4.7GB

No no no. I understand why it has to go on two discs. My question was why does he want to copy DVDs he already owns? When I said I didn't understand it's because I really didn't understand what he was saying. The language wasn't clear to me.