Sony DRX-710UL Dual Layer DVD Drive Review

Bottom Line:  Sony has always been and continues to be on of the best CD-ROM /DVD brands. 

The Sony name has long been associated with quality in the design and performance of CD-ROM / DVD drives of all descriptions for the professional and semi-professional user.  After all, the company along with Phillips Electronics pioneered the design and manufacture of the some of the first CD-ROM drives.   

This distinction in the marketplace has meant that Sony drives always sell for a premium over other drives of comparable functionality, but their performance over other drives makes the price well worth paying.  The good news is that in the last two years Sony drives have been more competitive with other makers.  The Sony DRX-710UL external DVD±RW burner continues that fine tradition, by delivering outstanding, no compromise performance in a sleekly designed brushed silver package.  The Sony DRX-710UL is a Dual Layer (DL) DVD drive that delivers best in class performance in dual formats:

•·         2.4x DVD+R DL (8.5GB)

•·         16X DVD+R Single Layer write;

•·         4X DVD+RW write;

•·         4X DVD-RW rewrite

•·         8X DVD-R, and;

•·         16X DVD-ROM;

In addition to recording, rewriting and reading DVD discs in dual formats, the Sony DRX-710UL supports:

•·         48X CD-R write,

•·         24X CD-RW rewrite and;

•·         48X CD-ROM read speeds.  

With the Sony DRX-710UL you can create an 8.5 GB Dual Layer (DL) disc on DVD media in about 40 - 45 minutes at 2.4x.   I attached the drive to my computer, a Dell Optiplex GX-520 in order to burn large a large number of .ISO files to be used elsewhere.  But, you would be hard pressed to find a better DVD recordable drive to create, edit and share customized DVDs and CDs with friends, collogues, and family using video, photo, audio and data.

With the Sony DRX-710UL and bundled software (see below) you can capture, archive, organize and personalize your home movies and photos on DVD, VCD (Video Compact Disc), mini DVD and SVCD. You can create photo slide shows, complete with slick transitions and background music. Burned photos and photo albums in VCD will play back on most DVD players. You can also playback DVD's and VCD's on your computer.  You can also back up and archive 8.5GB of data on a single-sided recordable DVD disc; all-n-all the Sony DRX-710ULis a very versatile drive.

My Viewpoint:

The first thing I noticed about the Sony DRX-710UL is the sleek acrylic and silver case and forward looking design.  The drive can be placed vertically or horizontally on the desktop; vertical placement is accomplished via a clear plastic stand.  Versatility is the calling card of the Sony DRX-710UL, which can be connected to a PC via USB (version 2.0 is preferable), or IEEE 1394 Firewire connections; both cables are included in the box.  Once powered on and connected via USB 2.0 my Windows XP Professional SP2 machine recognized the drive and set it up as another DVD/RW drive; nothing could have been easier, or more pain free. 

I like the Sony DRX-710UL.  The versatility (connections via USB 2.0 and Firewire) and performance of the drive is best in class, and the design is attractive and cutting edge.  Together with the bundled software, the Sony DRX-710ULis a hard bargain to pass up for the serious user with an eye on DVD and or VCD creation and editing.  If you want to use the drive as an external CD-ROM player for music however, look elsewhere.  If your budget allows, the Sony DRX-710UL is one of the best money can buy.