MSI DR4-A takes less time than the CD-R drive to complete a 4.7GB DVD+R or DVD-R disc. ABS Technology absorbs shock and reduces vibrations, making reading and writing of discs more... more
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...- but I own a MSI motherboard so I decided to give it a go...
>Value<
The drive was priced well, just under £100. When the drive arrived, first impressions were good. It was well packaged, and intact (parcel force were obviously feeling gentle). Prying open the protective polystyrene revealed the drive, instructions, audio cable, screws, and a software CD. This contains a basic version of Ahead Nero - handy burning software.
>Installation<
Installation ... ...DVDs! Confused, I checked the MSI forums and found that the firmware was dodgy and many people had the same problems. Once I updated the firmware, everthing was fine though. This is a fairly simple process but risky if you arent careful and involves making a bootdisk. If the words 'risky' and 'bootdisk' in the same sentence scares you, then don't buy this drive!
Firmware is information held on an internal chip that controls the drive. New firmware ...
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Advantages: Price- 60 GBP Disadvantages: Won't work with Win98SE
...a DVD-R!
I contacted MSI as follows:
I have just bought this DR4-a DVD writer. I have burnt an audio CD succesfully, I can play a DVD- R but when I insert blank DVD+ or DVD- the media is not recognised. It appears in "My Computer" as if it were an audio CD with 1 track. It attempts to autorun, but generates an error
from the CDplayer saying please insert an audio disk.
Please can you help?
The reply was:
Dear Customer,
That is the system behavior ... ...2000¡BXP. Best regards, MSI Technical Support
As you can see, they expect me to buy a new operating system! I should add that the specification on the box includes Win98SE. The rather basic manual says it will work with WIN98SE also. I would not have bought it otherwise.
Bit of a shame, because otherwise this seems like a well made well priced bit of kit. ...
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Features: Volume control wheel, headphone jack, horizontal/vertical mountable, emergency disc eject hole, play button, HD-BURN, Anti-Bumping System (ABS)
Expansion / connectivity
Interfaces:
1 x audio out - 4 PIN MPC
1 x audio out - 2 PIN Digital Audio
1 x IDE/ATAPI - 40 PIN IDC
1 x headphones - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
Compatible Bays: 1 x front accessible - 5.25" x 1/2H
Manufacturer's product description
MSI DR4-A takes less time than the CD-R drive to complete a 4.7GB DVD+R or DVD-R disc. ABS Technology absorbs shock and reduces vibrations, making reading and writing of discs more accurate. MSI DR4-A also supports HD-BURN (High Density Burn). This writing technology can record twice the capacity of specified CD-R discs. An 8 MB Internal Buffer dramatically increases the success and quality when the drive is recording data.
Miscellaneous
Package Type: Bulk
Cables Included: 1 x audio cable
Mounting Kit: Included
Software / system requirements
OS Required: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition / Windows ME, Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP
Min Hard Drive Space: 700 MB
Software Included: Drivers & Utilities, Sonic MyDVD, CyberLink PowerDVD XP 4.0, NERO Burning ROM, ArcSoft ShowBiz
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