The main positive points: Following our tests we found that this drive is a very good Multi DVD burner. The Sony DRU-830A is called “Multi DVD Burner” since it supports recording on all 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 from Nero Burning ROM 7 which is worth the extra retail price. In addition to the beige/silver bezel, you will also get an extra black bezel to match your desktop case color.

The 18x DVD+R and DVD-R writing on our media produced very good quality. The drive writes CD-R media very fast with very good quality. It also supports reading and writing special 99 minutes CD-R without any problem. DVD-RAM was read and write supports at 12x is a very nice feature. The drive supports transfer mode ”Ultra DMA Mode 4” which provides higher data throughput and allowed to be placed in an external enclosure for high speed burning and reading without any slowdowns.

In our DAE quality test it shows that the extracting quality is excellent. The Advanced Tests specify that the Sony drive can be categorized as a “Two Sheep” writer, which implies that it should be sufficient for backing up copy protected discs. Lastly, the Sony DRU-830A supports disc quality scanning that can be use to report PI/PO errors.

The main negative points: There are few issues that we would like to mention and see them improved. The Sony DRU-830A reads CD-RW and CD-Audio at only 40x and DVD±R/RW/DL at 12x/8x/8x speed while other competitors can read them at faster speed.

Improvements are also needed in the area of CD-RW and DVD+RW write quality. The writing quality is poor showing the presence of C2 errors for CD-RW and high PIF errors for DVD+RW. Finally, a small shortcoming of Sony DRU-830A is the lack of overburning support for 4600MB DVD+R which might be useful for experienced users.

Final Thoughts: To sum it all up, this is what we would say: “Sony DRU-830A is overall a fine and good performance Multi DVD Burner.”

By using our CD Freaks price grabber feature we found the retail Sony DRU-830A is listed at $79.99 (November 2006).

You may discuss/comment this review below or in this forum thread.

Thanks to:

	JVC 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.
	Optodisc USA – For providing the 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.
	Verbatim USA – For providing the media used in this review.
	ExtremeMhz – For providing the Maxell 12x DVD-RAM media used in this review.

Advanced Test

37 Comments

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 08 Feb 07 20:07

I've literally just bought and installed one of these for my Dell desktop. The original Dell OEM NEC deck (ND-3450A) is starting to show its limitations and was beginning to drive me nuts. The DRU-830A has performed brilliantly, burning a whole load of DVDs that the ND-3450A refused to do. I'm not too bothered if it's actually a Samsung, or a Ford as long as it does the job well! I chose Sony because their products are generally very good and on the rare occasions when they have underperformed, Sony have been reassuringly good at putting things right. Yes I did pay a bit more than for some of the other decks, but I was really desperate. Normally I bite the pennies in half, but when you think of what you are doing when writing precious video to disc, or backups etc., you really need to be confident that the drive works reliably. which this one has done so far. Nero 7 Essentials (bundled with the DRU-830A) seems a useful package, BUT: - It doesn't seem to have been written by MS Windows fanatics, as everything works in a peculiar way, taking a bit of getting used to. Certainly not untuitive. - It's also very crammed with features, which is fine as long as you can remember where to find them!

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 24 Mar 07 06:24

Hi: My Sony 810A dies and the replacement was the DRU-830A. The firmware was upgraded to SS23. But the performance when reading DVDs is very slow. For example burning a 1 GB data disk (Nero 7) takes a few minutes, but the verification takes 22 minutes (most of the time at less than 1X). Many Many Many calls to Sony did not change anything. I tried to join the forum here but the code does not appear on the registration page. A note to the webmaster has gone unanswered. What's the best DVD burner in terms of speed and quality data? The 810A was acceptable buy Sony will no longer sell me one.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 02 Apr 07 14:43

i install a new sony dru 830a dvd writer in my pc and put it as master. after i boot up windows xp the drive read as dvd-ram drive without any disc in it. when i place a recorded dvd-r or cd-r, the drive read nothing out of the disc and immediately it changes into cd drive. the writer can burn dvd-r with nero, but just cannot read dvd-r or cd-r disc in it, even with the dvd-r written in it. i even have my windows re-formatted but it did not read but can write. the brand of the disc are verbatim and imation.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 08 Apr 07 03:04

i have bought sony 830a and it's didn't read the dvd it burn only read orignal dvd and pc is p3 550 256ram on winxp sp2 but when i try on onther modern pc pentium 4 it work well and could read all dvds and write !

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 17 May 07 06:39

I also have the Sony dual layer DRU-830A model. I can burn dvd's just fine + or - either way Once i put the succefully burned disk back in the drive it will not read it!!!! The DVD shows up as BLANK which i know its not because it works fine on any other system !!! its driving me crazy there has to be a solution somewhere someone please help ! my pc is p4 2.66 ghz 256 mb ram winxp sp2 nvidia geforce 5600. any ideas please get back to me on msn as realitycheck311@hotmail.com :c

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 18 May 07 17:02

I am having problems with my Sony DRU-830A, and it’s only five days after the purchase. The drive burns correctly CDs, DVD-Rs, DVR-RWs, reads them. But starting from today it refuses to read DVD-Rs, still continue to read all other formats and as well burning DVD-Rs. In first days it read DVD-Rs I have called the Sony’s UK hotline, they suggested upgrading my firmware and that’s what I did. I upgraded it from SS23 to SS25. Still the problem persists.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 29 May 07 23:55

_First, when i installed the drive in PC, the work well, but on day after the record was very, very low, 1 hour to record 1 DVD 4,7GB. I discovered witch the DMA turn to off alone. I did changes in bios setup, windows drive and nothing. It still low. I removed and put my old LG and windows turn to on DMA, i removed LG and put Sony again, so, windows stay DMA on (strange). _Second, when write CD-RW, it not recognizes ELGIN CD-RW 12x (IF12X80 AG41..) with 12x, it recognizes how to 10x. The results of record not open in some CD-drives. Strangely, the DVD RW it appeared with hole, without scratch and kept in DVD case

. The laser of the drive open the hole in CD-RW and my DVD+RW discs?

, i´m investigating. _third, well, after this problems, the DRU-830 is bealtiful and record very well DVD+R till moment. Need improve with more discs registered to recognizes speed (DVDs+-R) and record quality, especially RWs

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 31 May 07 14:16

hey Italo Valerio. to turn on dma uninstall the ide controller from device manager and restart. then the windows will automatically reinstall it and enable dma. mine works lyk a charm xcept dat it recognises discs as 4.29 gb instead of 4.7 gb

wots wrong?

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 31 May 07 18:57

"mine works lyk a charm xcept dat it recognises discs as 4.29 gb instead of 4.7 gb

wots wrong? " oops stupid mistake. 4got computer recognition is diiferent. pls ignore it.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 02 Jun 07 20:57

Posted by PFX (guest) on Thursday 31 May 2007 14:16 "hey Italo Valerio. to turn on dma uninstall the ide controller from device manager and restart. then the windows will automatically reinstall it and enable dma. " - I had make this, but not work. In PC of my friend witch have Samsung happen the same, i did try to make this changes but only swapping drives an turn again worked.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 02 Jun 07 21:02

The more new problem is: This drive recognize ELGIN DVD+R DL 8X (LO 1106-R) how 30GB free space!, i did try to record but happened error when starting recording the second layer. Midia losted. Play only first layer (4,7GB).

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 23 Jun 07 06:12

My burner is not recognized by the PC. It shows only the DVD RAM drive icon in "My Computer", which i rpesume is for writing but no CD/DVD reader is shown. Pls Help!!!

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 25 Jun 07 15:00

Hi, I am also facing same problem, i have sempon 3000 ASUS motherboard, I tried all the above options, but still did not help. if you have any new ideas to solve this problem mail me at wconnect@gmail.com

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 26 Jun 07 09:51

i also have same problem.

my dvd riter sOny DRU-170C giving me same things. it isnt reading any of DVD s and saying that insereted disc is a blank cd (instead of a DVD ).all of my frnds having same problem . it s IC problem . The IC of sony dvd riter /cd riter is faulty ! and they arent taking pains to rectify the errOr! sony sucks!!!!

Chris_504: Posts: 1; Posted on: 26 Jun 07 12:16

Make sure you guys are using the latest firmware, which at the moment is SS25. BTW i don't have any issues with the drive, possibly due to the fact that i'm using the latest firmware.

P.S http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/firmware.htm

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 05 Jul 07 02:37

I've owned the Sony DRU-830A for over a month now and burned a lot of -R, 4 gig DVD's which will not play on most players. The drive does not support Book Typing therefore making a good Double Layer (ROM) DVD is impossible.

I personally feel with most stores carring blank DVD's there is a large market for making back-up copies of your DVDs and Sony has missed the boot on this issue! The Lie-On DVD Burners is a better choice for those of use who have a need to make back-up copies of their DVDs and no drive that does not support BOOK TYPING should not be considdered! :g

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 12 Jul 07 17:57

After 3 months, i will get other drive. This drive is an DVD-RW disc killer. After to burn the discs in DRU, the discs aren´t recognizes more, in any drives, the discs only stop, really not work. No record, no erase, no appear more how DVDRW, only appear "no disc inserted". Happened with: 2 discs SONY DVD+RW AccuCORE (VER. 1.2), 1 DVD-RW Opto Digital (OTC -W84083N0 W004), 1 DVD+RW OPTO DIGITAL (OTC+W84169N0 0P4), 1 DVD+RW HP (PHILIPS ODTC 1-4X D25051). Loose 2 Elgin DVD+DL discs too, no burn second layer. I wait till now, waiting an firmware version to correct RW problems. I no have time to wait more. I like the quality burns of DVD-R/+R, its beautiful drive but i need good RW drive. Good luck to all users.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 08 Aug 07 23:03

Robert's posting on July 5 is incorrect. This drive does indeed support Book Type settings. (A screen capture of the Book Type setting is shown right in the review.) However, you must use the version of Nero included with the drive to set it. And in general, Book Type settings only apply to +R media. No drive that I am aware of has confirmed support for setting Book Type for -R media. (For -R discs, the Book Type is set in the disc manufacturing process. Disc drives cannot afterwards write to the necessary sector.)

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 10 Aug 07 00:16

Hey guys I have the same problem stated above.. the drive reads a DVD-R16x as an emtpy CD disc... i updated the firmware like Chris_504 suggested, still nothing. The DVD disc works fine on another computer. Any ideas?? Thanks

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 04 Sep 07 21:38

Same rubbish here. A written DVD-R is actually a blank CD it tells me. Updating the firmware achieved nothing. Updating Nero to version 7 which came with the drive achieved nothing. I've yet to get home and try the advice received today from Sony Tech, which follows: Dear Sony Valued Customer, Please go through these steps: Standard controller/disable DMA/disable CD Recording Please ensure the system is in the correct configuration: 1. Change the main controller you have to a Standard Dual Channel Controller Open the Device Manager(open up the Start menu, right click on My Computer, left click on Properties, click on the button labeled Device Manager under the Hardware tab Click on the + next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers A Primary IDE channel, Secondary IDE channel, and a PCI Controller (sometimes an Intel or SIS or VIA) will be listed Double click on the controller, click on the Driver tab, then click on the Update Driver button This will open up the Hardware Update Wizard, if it asks if Windows can search select No, and click Next Choose "Install from a List or Specific Location," and click Next Select "Don't Search, I will Choose a Driver to Install" and click Next Under "Model" select the Standard Dual Channel controller and click Next Click "Finish" At that point a window will appear with Standard Dual Channel printed at the top. Close this, but do not restart your system if it prompts you to. 2. Disable DMA: · Double click on the Secondary IDE Channel. · Click on the Advanced Settings tab. · Change the Transfer Mode for Device 0 from DMA to PIO. · Click OK 3. Disable CD Recording: Open up My Computer. Right click on the Sony drive and left click on Properties. Click on the Recording Tab, uncheck the box next to "Enable CD Recording on this drive". Click apply and okay. Also, you may wish to visit our website at http://sony.storagesupport.com This website has manuals and drivers for our products as well as FAQ's. Thank you, Melissa Sony Technical Support --------------------------------------------------------------- Good luck fellow 830 victims.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 07 Sep 07 14:51

Well, that didn't work. The latest was Sony sending me a link to a drive test program with me e-mailing them the results. I used a DVD-R disk for the test, which the drive failed. I've yet to hear the prognosis from Dr. Sony.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 07 Sep 07 20:03

Apparently, you have to call for a pronosis. Hold time was 45 minutes. They aren't sure if the drive test failed because of my computer (whose Memorex drive works fine, and whose Sony DRU530 worked fine until the motor gave out) or the 830. Given that the most positive direction this conversation was going in was that I would get a RMA number to return the drive and they would send me another 830 which probably wouldn't work either, I am returning the drive and getting something which is not Sony. My Memorex drive showed better cross drive compatibility than Sony ever did, anyway.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 07 Sep 07 20:05

Apparently, you have to call for a prognosis. Hold time was 45 minutes. They aren't sure if the drive test failed because of my computer (whose Memorex drive works fine, and whose Sony DRU530 worked fine until the motor gave out) or the 830. Given that the most positive direction this conversation was going in was that I would get a RMA number to return the drive and they would send me another 830 which probably wouldn't work either, I am returning the drive and getting something which is not Sony. My Memorex drive showed better cross drive compatibility than Sony ever did, anyway.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 01 Oct 07 16:50

OK so what's the latest? I bought two of these drives so that I could have a reliable system and my issues are the same. I bought sony for the same reason I buy Toyota. I thought that I was buying quality. What pieces of doodoo...and of course they are now a few months old so I can't just walk them back into the store. Please if anyone comes up with the answer email me directly. Thanks JT jaxmut@hotmail.com

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 01 Oct 07 16:53

Final Thoughts: To sum it all up, this is what we would say: “Sony DRU-830A is overall a fine and good performance Multi DVD Burner.” THat was a quote from the review above. What a crock. Like Siskel and Ebert are going to say a new movie sux. I've thought of taking my computer into Best Buy, let them get these P.O.S.s working and then sending the BIll to Sony

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 07 Oct 07 11:25

I have had the same problem with two of these drives in a row. They say that my written dvd is a blank cd. I like the burner, its make great movie copies but WTF. The funny thing is, when I take the same drive thats not working in one pc and put it in another it works?

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 13 Oct 07 20:43

i have the dru-830a over a year bad news i try 8x rw did not playr back it will lock or stop when i player it on sony and also memorex 8x same thing my dru-820 burn all 4x/6x/8x 16x not dru-830a just bad new

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 17 Nov 07 04:46

i have a dru-830a. Made a Nero Vision Essential slide show video 12 min. long. It was easy to do and all went fine until I watched my video on dvd player. The audio is fine but the video is faulty.. it pulses every few seconds. Tried several times (using DVD-R) and changed the encoding mode to High Qaulity 2 Pass VBR.... also changed the recording settings. Any help would be appreciated?

nicco14: Posts: 2; Posted on: 16 Mar 08 15:20

I purchased the DRU-830A in the fall of 2007. This is my first dvd burner. It worked great for the first few months. After burning 30ish dvd's, it decided not to work anymore. It will only read store bought dvd's and cd-roms. It will not burn anything at all, regardless of speed chosen. I've tried replacing as much software as possible but no luck. It does work in a friends pc, therefore this has to be a windows issue. I've tried everything I've read online and everything my geeky buddies told me to do. Don't want to reload XP to find out that it didn't work, but looks like I have no choice.

This message was edited at: 16-03-2008 15:21

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 27 Mar 08 09:24

Always have issues with this Drive dru-830a. Stops being seen by windows. Junk

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 28 Mar 08 09:54

i purchased SONY DVD write DRU 830A for my pc. it is showing a very odd problem, that it do write blank DVD or blank cd but when i try to read those burnt DVD it shows "blank CD" in properties of burnt DVD. i can read original Movie DVD on it but it can not read DVD that it has burnt. please help.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 12 Jun 08 04:57

Dru 830 a is pure madness... Are you complaining about "complex" things like recording? Well let me tell you about the most shitty issue on this player/recorder... My dru 830 wouldn't play movie dvd's correctly... And I bought this unit to enjoy the capabilities of my computer to watch movies... At this moment I have no money to afford a new dvd-rw... I've tried everything... from the new firmware to the IDE device set up thingy. none of them worked... The error message when playback? "Css copy protection failed" I'm really pissed off...

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 28 Jul 08 09:32

It seems that once the DRU-830A is installed, the OS loads the MS drivers for the "Secondary Drive Controller" but they don't work correctly the first time around manifesting in all the problems we've been having. Anyway, my 830A is now running fine. I tried following the instructions Sony gave "Kurt (guest) ", but under WinXP Pro there was no "Standard Dual Channel Controller" listed. There is "Secondary IDE Channel" and "Standard IDE/ESDI Hard Disk Controller" So I chose the latter, and selected "PIO only" under "Advanced Settings". Writing a DVD in PIO mode takes ages. In my case the writing and verification process took ~45 minutes, but at least the entire process was successful. Then I went back to using the "Secondary IDE Channel" drivers, with DMA on. It actually worked this time. Under Advanced Settings Device 0 (my DVD player) is configured: Device Type: "Auto Detection" (ghosted out) Transfer Mode: "DMA if available" Current Transfer Mode: "Ultra DMA Mode 4" (ghosted out) Works fine and fast now, after a reboot. It does DVD-Rs & Rewritables. It also plays DVD movies once I installed an old version of WinDVD4 I had lying around. If you don't install a DVD playblack plugin like the one from Nero, WinDVD, or PowerDVD, the DVD will appear to have no name and no contents when you "explore" it.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 29 Jul 08 08:14

I take it back. Not everything works. My 830A can erase CD-RWs but not DVD-RWs. CRAP! I can hear the stepper motor rattling as it is trying to erase the disk. The burning software eventually reports the procedure as successful, but the contents are still there! I wonder if it just doesn't like Imation DVD-RWs? Ugh, in any case, the next DVD drive won't be a Sony, that's for for sure.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 04 Aug 08 10:27

well guys what i have tried is i opened my dvd drive and cleaned its lens with a smooth cloth and after it the drive is working properly............ try it might b your drive also starts working............ best of luck regards....

musicman18840: Posts: 1; Posted on: 19 Sep 08 18:55

My computer isn't recognizing any dvd burner I put in it. It shows a cd drive no burner. When I put a disk in even it it is a full disk it shows 0 used...0 space free.

guest: Posts: 15284; Posted on: 20 Sep 08 19:20

I'm having a slightly different problem with the drive. It worked fine for a couple of years on my HP, but then when inserting a new disk, it would light-up Window's XP's blue screen of "dumping memory" death. It wouldn't do that all the time, just 75% of the time. Now, the drive door won't stay shut. Any ideas?

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Sony DRU-830A DVD Burner Review

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