Pioneer A03 DVD burner: $219 ??!!

[Dr Mordrid]

$219 USD for a DVD burner??

On sale for who knows how long?

http://alinamicro.site.yahoo.net./pion1x2xdvdr.html

Is there anyone in this group that knows of or can check out;

Alina Micro, Inc.
17981 SKYPARK CIRCLE
SUITE N
IRVINE,CA 92614
Sales (888)625-9441 or (949)863-0500

The Better Business Bureau in that area has nothing on 'em.

Someone on MUG (MediaStudio Users Group) ordered one. We'll see if it's for real or not in a few days.

Dr. Mordrid

[jeepman]

Dr. Mordrid,

What kind of info are you looking for? I can drive by and see if the address exists, but I can't even imagine ordering one, because that just sounds too good to be true!

Anyways, I can try and drop by on Monday, and ask to see one. There are more than a few sites that operate out of the Irvine area so it doesn't mean it is not legit.

[Dr Mordrid]

It may well be legit. I've heard from a few folks now that both it and the Panasonic drive are starting to appear at $350 online.

What was that someone said about a price war? I think it started when the DVD+RW drives were listed at an MSRP of around $500.

Dr. Mordrid

[Technoid]

DVR-A03 Specifications
Write Support: DVD-R (4.7 GB for General disc only*), DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW*
* This writer cannot write to either 3.95 GB or 4.7 GB media for DVD authoring


Wath does this mean?

[wkulecz]

DVR-A03 Specifications
Write Support: DVD-R (4.7 GB for General disc only*), DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW*
* This writer cannot write to either 3.95 GB or 4.7 GB media for DVD authoring

It means the A03 can't write the special sectors used for CSS encryption.

As to the $219 A03, page doesn't mention authoring software. Check the price of non-bundled DVD writing packages. Even if this price is legit, it may not be such a bargin without software.

OTOH, if the DVD writing in MSP 6.5 is as good as Doc says it is and works with the A03, a bare drive like this at a cheap price would be perfect!

One other thing I can think of, is I've heard the early A03's need a firmware upgrade to work right. These could be the bulk of that lot being dumped. Depending on how easy it is to find the updated firmware and flash utility would determine if its a "deal" or not.

--wally.

[Sciascia]

Not 100% on the details, but I heard a snippet somewhere that NERO supports DVD burning now or is going to in the future. If so, they tend to have some resonably priced burning apps.

Could be the start of something fun if that price is legit.

[dchip]

Maybe we'll hear from someone who tried this Alina (is guinea pig a derisive term these days ). Funny there is no trace of Alina Micro on any popular search engines. Must be very new. I am tempted by it, and, according to the terms on that site, they do take credit cards, including AMEX. Still, I would hate to end up closing my 25 year old AMEX because I gave the number and expiration to some web scam. Plus, if Doc is right, we might be able to get similar prices from tried and true sources pretty soon.

[AlgoRhythm]

I might have to get one of those. My CD-RW drive just died recently. That would be a nice replacement!


AlgoRhythm

[Dr Mordrid]

Nero 5.5.4.0 does indeed now support CD-R, CD-RW, DDCD-R (double density CD-R), DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW.

On the input side it also now supports MP3 Pro audio.

To see the new options enter the Preferences/Expert Features tab and check the box labeled "Show all compilation types" at the bottom of the page.

Dr. Mordrid

[Ted222]

I am sure the price of the Pioneer A03 was a misprint. I was just on their site and the price just changed to $619.00, still a bargain for this drive.

Ted

[Dr Mordrid]

Now to see if they honor the orders at the lower price.

Dr. Mordrid