Sony DRU-840A Multi-Format DVD Burner

Sony DRU-840A detail information

Posted by	Kip R.
Posted on	23/09/07 20:47
Manufacturer	Sony
Product	Sony DRU-840A
Description	Sony 20x DVD Burner

Conclusion

Introduction

Features

Reading tests

CD-R/CD-RW writing performance

DVD+R/RW writing performance

DVD-R/RW writing performance

DVD R DL writing performance

DVD-RAM writing performance

Advanced Tests

Text Size Text Size

Conclusion

Positive

Turbo Boost Function; boosts read and write speed to 48X on CDR media
Can over-burn CD-R and write 100 minute CDR media
Good Software bundle
Can read and write to mini-disc (DVD-R/RW)
Supports Disc Quality Scanning with CD-Speed and Kprobe.
Supports BookType (Bitsetting) on DVD+R/RW/DL
Supports DVD-RAM read and write at 12X
Reads pressed DVD Video at 12X
Very good reading performance and reliability
Can burn selected DVD+R/DL media faster than its rated speed.
Very Good to Excellent CD-R writing quality and compatibility

Negative

CD-RW write quality could be of better quality
High PI errors on some of our DVD-R test media
Single colored LED for read/write.

Conclusion

The main positive points: The Sony DRU-840A is called “Multi DVD Burner” since it supports recording on most available media formats including CD-R/RW, DVD±R/±RW, DVD±R Double/Dual Layer, and DVD-RAM. It is packed with a comprehensive software suite consisting of Nero Express, Nero InCD, PowerDVD, which is worth the extra retail price.

The drives operation is very quiet; this is a big plus for us or anyone who appreciates a quiet computer.

The main negative points: There are a few issues that we would like to mention with hopes of them being improved. Write quality with some CD-RW and DVD+R is an area we think improvement is needed. We would also like to see some tweaks to a few of the write strategies for DVD+R media and are hoping that this will happen with future firmware updates.

To sum up, this is what we would say

“The Sony DRU-840A is fast and burns most media with good quality”.

You may comment on this review below or in this forum thread.

Thanks to

	Verbatim USA – For providing the media used in this review.
	Maxell USA – For providing the media used in this review.
	Memorex USA – For providing the media used in this review.
	ExtremeMhz – For providing the Maxell 12x DVD-RAM media used in this review
	Rima.com USA – For providing Taiyo Yuden media used in this review.
	Advanced Media/Ritek-USA – For providing the media used in this review.

Introduction

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Reactions on this item

Posted by ccds on Sunday 21 October 2007 05:07

Great recommendaton

Great device

works just like you said

Posted by johwhi on Sunday 02 March 2008 02:12

Well, my copy of this drive will not write to any of the DL media that I have tried. Includes: Sony, HP, Memorex. I can't find a firmware upgrade for it, either.

Posted by Bri (guest) on Friday 07 March 2008 00:12

I can burn on Memorex DVD+R DL disks, but only at 4X, the slowest I can go. I haven't tried any other brands yet.

There seems to be no firmware update out yet. Hope thats rectified soon.

Posted by johwhi on Thursday 13 March 2008 00:52

Well, well. The 4x write speed is the key for burning Memorex DL blanks, at least.
Thanks for the effort.

Posted by deucedeuce1 on Tuesday 15 July 2008 05:26

For some reason this drive slows down for me about half way through a burn and becomes totally silent.

I have it set to burn dvd's at 16x and like i said it does that half way through and same with 12x.The good part is that it has always burned the dvd and never made any coasters(Yet).But the bad part is the end result is always a burn that is going at either 5x speed or 10x speed.Thats what the result in Ashampoo burning studio says(cd burned succesfully at 5 or 10x)

So I'm just wondering if anyone knows what exactly is up with that and why it does it.Any suggestions and help would be very much appreciated.Thanks!

Posted by frank (guest) on Wednesday 23 July 2008 05:57

does it have bitsettings on it i would really like to know

Posted by Jimbo992 on Thursday 24 July 2008 23:31

I Love My DRU-840A Burner except for one thing.
I have been trying to FIND the Firmware Patch for Region Free and several Members have said that it is here but after a week every day I have tried to find a Download link for the BIN file but I guess I will just have to Stop Looking. I just can't find a download link.
Oh Well Have a Great day.

Jimbo992

Posted by Jimbo992 on Thursday 24 July 2008 23:43

Posted by hardridge on Saturday 09 August 2008 14:20

I have Nero 8 and was wondering if I have to downgrade to Nero 7 to get 20x speed, like what Jimbo said " I'll look for the Fimeware " to up grade Dru-840A. Hope I didn't made a mistake buying this

Posted by John (guest) on Saturday 09 August 2008 20:08

I think this burner sucks , I have stacks of disks that have been wrecked due to the drive spitting them out . I dont know if its the memorex disks or the drive . today I will buy some other types of disks and try , if that fails this drive will get thrown in the street !!

Posted by Cornan (guest) on Saturday 30 August 2008 15:12

I've had consistent problems at the end of writing (may be finalizing) DVD+R discs with both a Sony DRU-710A and Sony DRU-840A. NovaBackup consistently issues an error message, Norton Ghost issued a "finalizing" message. Reading is never a problem and Sony's DriveCheck always gives a thumbs up, but after four years with these two drives I'm no closer to a solution than I was when I installed the DRU-710A.

This should be a simple issue to resolve but the software support for NovaBackup and Norton Ghost were no help at all.

Is it the drive? My cable? (why would it fail only at the ned?) Just not a good experience.

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