SONY DVD RW DRU-800A - a review

[hcp006sl]

• Test Result 1:
  Disc Media used: DVD-ROM
  Specification of the DVD used: It is FC4 DVD - the one comes with it magz July 2005 (vol 3 issue 5) [Type: CAV]
  
  Seek Times
  Random 99 ms
  1/3 205 ms
  Full 456 ms
  
  CPU Usage
  1X 74 %
  2X 11 %
  4X 20 %
  8X n/a
  
  Interface
  Burst Rate 37.96 MB/sec
  
  Spin Up/Down Times
  Spin Up Time 2.27 sec
  Spin Down Time 3.31 sec
  
  Load/Eject Times
  Load Time 1.17 sec
  Eject Time 0.96 sec
  Recognition Time 13.43 sec
  
  
• Test Result 2:
  Disc Media used: Data CD
  Specification of the CD used: HP CD-R (in Jewel case) - WindowsXP x64 backup copy (Type: CAV)
  
  Seek Times
  Random 122 ms
  1/3 150 ms
  Full 226 ms
  
  CPU Usage
  1X 1 %
  2X 2 %
  4X 5 %
  8X 7 %
  
  Interface
  Burst Rate 32.77 MB/sec
  
  Spin Up/Down Times
  Spin Up Time 3.31 sec
  Spin Down Time 3.27 sec
  
  Load/Eject Times
  Load Time 1.17 sec
  Eject Time 0.96 sec
  Recognition Time 24.87 sec

- How much are you satisfied with these results? I'm not.

General Information
Operating System Windows XP
Drive SONY DVD RW DRU-800A
Firmware Version KY03
Software used: Nero CD-DVD Speed 4.00

 

[drvarunmehta]

My choice NEC ND-3540A

 

[QwertyManiac]

we r all not satisfied even if we have 200x burners arent we ?

I like the Sony DVD rw a lot and i m satisfied with its performance...

 

[hcp006sl]

we r all not satisfied even if we have 200x burners arent we ?

I like the Sony DVD rw a lot and i m satisfied with its performance...

It is not a matter of speed. The seek time, Recognition Time for CD/DVD, Spin Up/Down Times are very poor and unexpected from a reputed company like Sony.

 

[QwertyManiac]

k , but how do those stats matter for burnin dvds???

 

[siriusb]

I know what you are saying. I've posted about the pathetic recognition time too. I get around 12 or 13 seconds recognition times with my DRU 800A. Asus drive got good reviews and it is supposed to use the cpu less too.

 

[Keith Sebastian]

The seek time, Recognition Time for CD/DVD, Spin Up/Down Times are very poor and unexpected from a reputed company like Sony.

Sony's are rebadged Liteons. Sony DRU-800A == Liteon SOHW 1693S.

You're running old firmware. KY04 is out. See link below.

CPU Usage
1X 74 %
2X 11 %
4X 20 %
8X n/a

Hint: Specify your system config when mentioning CPU usage.

Sony/Liteon firmware updates and Omnipatcher (for firmware tweaking) can be found here. *codeguys.rpc1.org/ Crossflashing (Sony<-->Liteon) is also possible as is enabling RED Led during burn (LED Fix).

Flash with "BS0S - patched - crossflashing, multi-colored LED" firmware and post you benchmarks.

Keith

 

[FilledVoid]

Although I use a Sony DVD writer Ive seen many good reviews about the Benq ones.

[Edited] Forgot to add this also to it.

*www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Specific.aspx?ArticleId=14084&PageId=21

This is just the conclusion of the review that the site hs performed. You can review the test information on previous pages.

Heres the link of the Benq I was talkign about also

*www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Specific.aspx?ArticleId=14268&PageId=24

 

[hcp006sl]

The seek time, Recognition Time for CD/DVD, Spin Up/Down Times are very poor and unexpected from a reputed company like Sony.

Sony's are rebadged Liteons. Sony DRU-800A == Liteon SOHW 1693S.

You're running old firmware. KY04 is out. See link below.

CPU Usage
1X 74 %
2X 11 %
4X 20 %
8X n/a

Hint: Specify your system config when mentioning CPU usage.

Sony/Liteon firmware updates and Omnipatcher (for firmware tweaking) can be found here. *codeguys.rpc1.org/ Crossflashing (Sony<-->Liteon) is also possible as is enabling RED Led during burn (LED Fix).

Flash with "BS0S - patched - crossflashing, multi-colored LED" firmware and post you benchmarks.

Keith

Then I need some time. Because, before updating I have to uninstall all CD-writing software installed.

Firmware KY04 is out - I have checked it.
Home page: *sony.storagesupport.com/
Download link: *sony.storagesupport.com/.../800A_KY04.exe

 

[siriusb]

Ah, yes, I've flashed my firmware. I am awaiting your updated review unabatedly.

But check this constantly updated review of writers. It's super cool:
*www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=9&t=9764

 

[Keith Sebastian]

Because, before updating I have to uninstall all CD-writing software installed.

LOL. You don' need to do that at all.

Keith

 

[hcp006sl]

Read the instructions carefully at *sony.storagesupport.com. More over, don't trust any firmware download from any third party website. It is called firmware and not just software.

 

[icecoolz]

huh ? I havent had ne need to update my software after all the firmware upgrades I have done till date....dont see why I need to start doin it now.

 

[Mahesh Babu]

According to latest techtree review's on DVD writers,LG scored highest points in all the tests.
www.techtree.com

 

[Keith Sebastian]

Read the instructions carefully at *sony.storagesupport.com. More over, don't trust any firmware download from any third party website. It is called firmware and not just software.

It's your drive, so it's your call. Even though I don't agree with your last comment.

Make a backup of your firmware/eeprom contents using the tool available at the same site. It's good to have know how to recover from a bad flash.

Keith

 

[AlienTech]

huh ? I havent had ne need to update my software after all the firmware upgrades I have done till date....dont see why I need to start doin it now.

I have had to do that once I upgraded a liteon 812S to the Sony firmware and it made it into a Sony drive and Nero stopped working with it. So I installed the Sony version of Nero which stopped working with the LG CD writer then. Both same software but from different OEM's. Both liteon and Sony say they are Sony drives internally, but report as different drives externally. I had to use a modified sony firmware that said it was a liteon drive and go back to the LG nero program to get both the CD and DVD writers working since Nero.

 

[hcp006sl]

Comparison between KY03 & KY04

General Information
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.01.2600 Service Pack 2)
Drive: SONY DVD RW DRU-800A [IDE Pri-master 80 connector]
Software used: Nero CD-DVD Speed 4.04
System Info:
CPU : AMD Athlon 64 Processor 2800+ 1800 MHz
Bus Speed : 200 MHz
Motherboard : ASUSTeK 'K8N-E-Deluxe'
BIOS : AMI 1006.008
Memory : 512 MB (50ns) 400 MHz DDR (DIMM0)
Sound : Realtek AC97 Audio
Video : NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 (128 MB)
HDD : SAMSUNG 120 GB SATA-II

Now here is a comparison between the performance of the same drive in two different firmware - KY03 and KY04. First I note the performance result in KY03 version of firmware. Then perform a firmware update of that drive and now again with the same set of CD-DVD I test the performance of the same drive.

Test I: Test with DVD-ROM
Disc Media used: DVD-ROM [Type: CAV]
Disc quality:
*img183.imageshack.us/img183/8921/sonydvdrwdru800aky04dvdromslda.png

Seek Times

(KY03:)
Random 112 ms
1/3 120 ms
Full 246 ms

(KY04:)
Random 98 ms
1/3 95 ms
Full 186 ms

CPU Usage

(KY03:)
1X 8 %
2X 11 %
4X 21 %
8X n/a

(KY04:)
1X 6 %
2X 12 %
4X 20 %
8X n/a

Interface

(KY03:)
Burst Rate 37.59 MB/sec

(KY04:)
Burst Rate 37.20 MB/sec

Spin Up/Down Times

(KY03:)
Spin Up Time 2.16 sec
Spin Down Time 3.31 sec

(KY04:)
Spin Up Time 2.20 sec
Spin Down Time 3.34 sec

Load/Eject Times

(KY03:)
Load Time 1.16 sec
Eject Time 0.95 sec
Recognition Time 10.63 sec

(KY04:)
Load Time 1.17 sec
Eject Time 0.95 sec
Recognition Time 10.72 sec


Test II: Test with CD-ROM
Disc Media used: Data CD [Type: CAV]
Disc quality:
*img116.imageshack.us/img116/5784/sonydvdrwdru800aky0328qu.png

Seek Times

(KY03:)
Random 126 ms
1/3 135 ms
Full 210 ms

(KY04:)
Random 128 ms
1/3 137 ms
Full 215 ms

CPU Usage

(KY03:)
1X 1 %
2X 2 %
4X 5 %
8X 8 %

(KY04:)
1X 1 %
2X 2 %
4X 5 %
8X 9 %

Interface

(KY03:)
Burst Rate 32.88 MB/sec

(KY04:)
Burst Rate 33 MB/sec

Spin Up/Down Times

(KY03:)
Spin Up Time 1.87 sec
Spin Down Time 3.05 sec

(KY04:)
Spin Up Time 1.86 sec
Spin Down Time 3.04 sec

Load/Eject Times

(KY03:)
Load Time 1.17 sec
Eject Time 0.94 sec
Recognition Time 9.85 sec

(KY04:)
Load Time 1.17 sec
Eject Time 0.94 sec
Recognition Time 10.16 sec


So, the difference in performance is clear.

 

[yogi7272]

leave alone dru 800a drive .......

benq dw 1640 is the currently the best .

now the question arises is it available in india?

lets see if i can get my hands on one next week at lamington road , mumbai . if any one has got this benq drive from mumbai then pls let me know with the price too ..

cheers

 

[yogi7272]

leave alone dru 800a drive .......

benq dw 1640 is the currently the best .

now the question arises is it available in india?

lets see if i can get my hands on one next week at lamington road , mumbai . if any one has got this benq drive from mumbai then pls let me know with the price too ..

cheers

 

[AlienTech]

There will be variations in performance between firmware. usually it is to fix some bugs they will slow it down. Other times it is to increase performance to speed it up. Sometimes they will just plain remove options that used to be there before. These SONY DRU-800A and Lite-ON SOHW - 1693S are identical hard ware with slightly different firmware. If you want a much faster drive get the liteon firmware. If you want a much more reliable drive use the sony firmware.