Sanyo DRW-500 DVD Recorder

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Sanyo DRW-500

Write
~~CDR~~
~~CDRW~~
~~DVD-R~~
~~DVD-RW~~
~~DVD-R DL~~
DVD+R
DVD+RW
~~DVD+RDL~~
~~DVD-RAM~~

Read*

CDR
~~CDRW~~
~~DVD-R~~
~~DVD-RW~~
~~DVD-R DL~~
DVD+R
DVD+RW
~~DVD+R DL~~
DVD-RAM?

*based on user reports.

Desktop

$250

6.1/10
16 votes
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DVD Player features:
Video formats:
~~DivX~~ JPG ~~DVD-JPG~~
Audio formats:
MP3 ~~DVD-MP3~~ ~~WMA~~
Other features:
Progressive Scanning

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Region code free hack

DVD Media comments for this DVD Recorder (click on the link to read the comments):
1 JVC 8xDVD+R (WFKA11..211) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 Maxell 8xDVD+R (MAXELL..002) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Memorex 4xDVD+RW (RICOHJPNW11) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Verbatim DigitalMovie 4xDVD+R (MCC.....002) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
Post your DVD Media comments here

Comments

20 comments, Showing 1 to 20 comments

freebrew from United States reported February 13, 2008:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
~~CDR~~ ~~CDRW~~	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ ~~DVD+R DL~~	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3 ~~WMA~~ CVD?	over 1 year	1 of 10
~~DVD-RAM~~
Comments:
This player quit reading DVDs after a year of use. I, like those above, called Sanyo for repair. They told me to take it to Wal Mart, give them $60 and they would fix it. That's half what I spent for the thing and more than it's worth. They wouldn't sell me parts, I tried a Lite On unit, but it wouldn''t work. The uniit will read and play CDs, but wwon't recognize ANY DVD inserted.

Richard from Canada reported April 05, 2007:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
Few CDR ~~CDRW~~	~~DVD-R~~ ~~DVD-RW~~ ~~DVD-R DL~~	Few DVD+R Few DVD+RW ~~DVD+R DL~~	~~VCD~~ XVCD? XSVCD?	~~SVCD~~ SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	~~MP3~~ ~~WMA~~ CVD?	120 days	1 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
I have 3 various brand DVD standalone recorders, this is the worst unit I have ever experienced and service support is a nightmare.It will not read 6 diff. brands of DVD+r and 3 diff. brands of DVD+rw,random cdr's and will play the factory DVD's. I have tried SANYO service in USA and Canada, they both state no factory reset procedure, NO flash firmware, no service info. or parts. but if I send in they will repair for a fee. SANYO Japan and WALMART are inaccessible for any service info. online. I am a technician of 30 years and wish to repair myself. NO Go!!!Based on my experience, I would not recommend ANY SANYO or FISHER product to anyone.All other Mfg.'s service are forthcoming.BEWARE.

Jim from United States reported January 25, 2007:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	6 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
For all of you fellow Sanyo DRW-500 owners, I have a solution to the DVD loader failures. I called Sanyo, and they would not sell me the part, so I tried an existing burner that I had on the shelf. I used a Plextor PX-716A drive. I know that it is a little too much drive, being dual layer, but it works great! A little trimming inside the faceplate of the Sanyo, a little epoxy to hold the OEM door on the drive, and re-drill the 4 holes in the bracket, and it looks almost as good as the OEM drive. After a format, and recording, it doesn't skip a beat. Any disks that I do burn, will now play in my other DVD players. It has never done that since it was new. By the way, in 2 years, I have only used the player about 30 times. To me, the loader failed prematurly. Sanyo charges about $100 to replace the OEM drive, but after 1 has failed, I am glad that I switched to the plextor. I would now rate the machine at about 7 or 8. If you are not comfortable with opening or modifying things, this repair is not for you. It is then worth the $100 for Sanyo.

canuck from Canada reported January 20, 2006:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	60 days	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
No issues with writing to either Memorex, Sony or Mitsumi 4X DVD+RW media using LP and SP modes. My original DRW-500 came equipped RDV-200A DVD loader, but the firmware upgrade from the official Sanyo site http://www.sanyo.com/entertainment/dvd_recorders/downloads/DRW-500US.ZIP {md5sum: afa519e80ee5e445bc2c6972c075a252 DRW-500US.ZIP} does not seem to be recognized, in the same way as was previously reported by Ken M. I exchanged it due to occasional problems with flaky door operation for a DRW-500B. With the same firmware update CD-RW I had created to upgrade the DRW-500, I was able to update the DRW-500B firmware without any issue. However, I know of no means to check what the current version is nor whether the firmware upgrade actually was required; I have not experienced the sound sync or MPEG2 encoding issues that others have noted, though. Chipset: ES6128F ESS Vibratto S, ES7010F ESS MPEG2 AV Encoder, ES7110S The bottom line... it serves the purpose I bought it for, to transfer analog 8mm camcorder home videos to DVD - no regrets!

unclebud from United States reported September 26, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
I've been using this recorder for 1 year and it still works great. Had 2 coaster's from HP media about 6 months ago. HQ and SP speeds (1.5 and 2.5 hours) look great even recording HD formated content and played back on an HDTV. Video quality of longer play time speeds are not so good. Very dependable machine. Never updated the firmware.

Mase from United States reported May 08, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	2 days	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
No comments

R Sweeney from United States reported April 27, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	14 days	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
This is my first recorder and I like it alot... I have found that it does play titles all the way though on my portable. It is a Mintek 1010. I have had it about a two weeks and no problem...

Ken M from United States reported March 11, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	30 days	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Morse, I have tried several times to create an update disc for my Sanyo. I am using Nero to burn the disc but the Sanyo recorder doesn't seem to recognize it or something. It shows the files like its pictured on the online tutorial but when I hit enter on the file it just goes back to the folder. How did you create your update disc?

Morse from United States reported March 08, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	30 days	10 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
So far, so good. No coasters yet (knocking on wood for luck as I type), and the image quality is good. The tuner is at least as good as the one in my Panasonic TV (if not better), the build quality is better than any comparably priced recorder, and the disks I've recorded play on all my DVD players (including my early-1998 vintage Panasonic A110!) without problems. The Cyberhome 300, Panny and Sony 5 disc changers, Polaroid 701 portable player, and Samsung computer DVD burner/player have had no issues with any recordings made on the Sanyo either. As far as complaints by mad dog and topcop below, it sounds to me like they've got defective recorders. So, if you buy one test the heck out of it to be sure it works properly, and if you've got a dud return it for one that works. "One coaster in six"?! No way is that "normal"!! The audio synch problem mentioned by Don C is a firmware artifact. It was on my Sanyo, and a careful reflash of the firmware (found free at the Sanyo website) cured it completely. For any who decide to reflash their firmware, be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN to FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER AND USE THE RIGHT FIRMWARE! The only complaints I have about the Sanyo are that the unit is a bit slow to load, the menus are a bit awkward, and the manual is poorly organized and written. However, performance, cost, and construction quality of the recorder itself outweigh those criticisms. It's a "10" for value in my book! As usual, your mileage may vary, etc - but I'm very pleased with my Sanyo and have no regrets at purchasing it.

R Carnes from United States reported March 04, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	~~DVD+R~~ ~~DVD+RW~~ DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	7 days	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Video is excellent on both playback and record. Looks like much better quality construction than other cheap, (Lite0n, etc.) DVD recorders. No S-video cable included but prefer better quality cables anyway. Manual is very poor. I think that is the reason for some of the negative comments. Disk is finalized when menu returns to previous screen. Menu and navigation are very crude. Little more than a DOS or Unix command line. Do other DVD recorders have a graphic interface? "Icons? Sanyo don't need no stickin' icons." Only problem I have had is that DVDs have no sound when played on my PC, but sound worked fine when played on other DVD players?

oaksmoke from United States reported February 26, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	4 days	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Topcop is wrong. This unit does have a RF modulator. The Ilo does not. In fact I am using the Sanyo S-Video input to view the Ilo output becuase the Sanyo will connect to my old TV without an external modulator. If the RF won't feed through the Sanyo you have a defective unit. So far I have not found any faults with this Sanyo recorder and I'm using 4x DVD+RW from Ridata. It seems slower to load than the Ilo and the menu is more difficult, but so far it has worked fine.

topcop41 from United States reported February 25, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	6 days	1 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
This recorder was a piece of junk. I previously owned an ILO and Balance DVD recorder and I was able to run my VCR through both no problems. Not on this one. If you ran a cable box or vcr through this sanyo dvd-recorder; you had to have the DVD-recorder on at all times in order to receive any type of cable signal or even to use the vcr. I am not a novice in hooking multiple components together so this was not an issue. This unit apparently has no RF Modulator built inside. It wouldn't copy any type of disc from my cyberhome 300. I would sway anyone from wasting money on this unit. I have since bought a second Balance DVD recorder from Walmart for $138 and am very pleased with that unit.

oaksmoke from United States reported February 24, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	2 days	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
The first recorder I had was the ilo. I've upgraded to the sanyo because of the cheap ilo tuner. The sanyo doesn't have the hum in the audio and the picture looks better than the ilo. There's no white line at top of screen. So far so good. I've only used +rw. I've had trouble playing/ripping with mplayer on my computer. It sort of got stuck but when I open and closed the dvd drive it continued playing. Too early to tell if this is a chronic issue. I like the menu system on the ilo better, but I care more about quality and reliablity. If the ilo had a better tuner I would have stuck with it because it has been very reliable.

Ken M from United States reported February 18, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3 CVD?	14 days	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
I don't have any experience with any other recorders but I trust the Sanyo name. It records to any brand of dvd+r discs I have tried Ilo/Maxell/Memorex. It is as easy to use as a vcr. The video quality is very good. I haven't noticed any audio/video sync problems and it doesn't lock up or get really hot like I have read about other brands (Ilo). I have no worries about having to return or exchange it as WalMart has never given me any problems before. Overall I would recommend this unit whole heartedly.

Walmart Willy from United States reported January 30, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	7 days	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Works great. I have tested an ILO DVDR04 and BALANCE DR4111 and this is sort of like a combination of those two models. The good Picture Quality of the ILO with "some" of the features of the BALANCE. Pro's: Perfect Recorded picture. Internal Fan. STEREO tuner (with excellent input). Format Option for RW disks (in addition to ERASE). Great Remote with ZOOM and SPEED selection buttons. Con's: Slight delay between the time it starts recording and the time you hit the record button. Although there is a pause on EVERY recorder I have tried so this is not that big of a deal. I have noticed that if you put a disk into the unit and then don't do anything for some time.. the drive eventually powers down to a slower speed and you will have a longer delay when pressing RECORD. This is no different than a VCR's "fast load" feature... where it "unloads the tape" if you don't do anything for a while. Also, the TITLES that it creates do NOT "play through". For instance, on the BALANCE or ILO you can record several TITLES and when you watch one and it ends.. it will automatically play the next TITLE. On this unit, it STOPS after the TITLE you selected and sends you back to the menu. So, this may not be something you will enjoy if you record multiple clips as TITLES and then want to watch all of them through at once. I'm guessing this could be fixed in firmware quite easily. At any rate, I do not see any problem with this unit at all. I have not seen any SOUND/SYNC issues like on the ILO. I have not seen any COLOR issues like on the ILO. I have not seen any BAD TUNER or INPUT problems like on the BALANCE. As far as compatibility with disks... I have tried many different brands and they all work fine. If you have a problem with an RW disk... just FORMAT it and the problem should be solved. I think Sanyo has a winner here. It's a bargain price (around $180 after tax at walmart) and works great. has the nicer features that the ILO DVDR04 lacks and records a whole lot better than the BALANCE. Walmart Willy

mad dog from United States reported November 23, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	~~DVD-R~~ ~~DVD-RW~~ DVD-R DL?	Few DVD+R Few DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	120 days	3 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Number one problem with this unit: No indication of whether disc has finalized, or not. (Does not display finalize failure message). Every disc looks as if it finalizes successfully, then you test the disc on a compatible DVD player, and only then do you discover it's a coaster. Number two problem (may be my unit only): Extremely picky about which disc media it likes. Even begins to dislike media it formerly liked. Currently I can only record on TDK and Verbatim. Number three problem (maybe my unit only): High coaster rate. I would estimate one out of six discs must go to the trash. Very disappointing when you must record a backup on a different recorder in case your SANYO fails.

Unclebud from United States reported October 24, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Had this thing for about a month. Records to DVD+RW and DVD+R well. Quality is very good until you get to the 4-6 hour modes. Simple menus and MPG audio only. No AC3. Other DVD players will play the +rw's fine but the +r disks have to be finalized before they will play on anything except the DVD recorder. i've been reading about the iLo and am glad I went with the Sanyo. Good value, good quality, good price. $198 at Walmart. UB

Don C from United States reported June 13, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Reading through the manual more, page 44 states that it was written prior to product development. Great, so they write it with a vague idea how the machine is going to be? It's hard to believe that a major manufacturer like Sanyo would put out something like this. Also, the dang thing will lose sound sync even while just watching video out of the tuner and not recording at all. It gets worse if there is large movements on the screen, like you'd see in commercials, so I'm assuming the MPEG2 encoding can't keep up. If you change channels, it will resync it back with the picture. Talk about quirky.

Don C from United States reported June 11, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Here's an interesting observation: It appears that this dvr is made specifically for Wal-Mart. I read in another forum about this and yes, if you look at the very last page under "Limited Warranty" it states that to obtain any warranty service, you must return it to a Wal-Mart with bill of sale.

Don C from United States reported June 10, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Bought this on a whim at local Walmart store. It was on their website, but their site seems to change from day to day so it may not be there now. The store only had three left and they were being discontinued (so the sales person said). While it appears to work fine and the recordings seem more compatible with other players, it lacks certain features that lower cost, less known name brands have (example: Aspire -8091, Cyberhome -1500). While everything appears to work correctly (so far), it doesn't have the ability to insert and edit chapters. Why Sanyo would leave this out doesn't make sense since that is one of the features touted by manufacturers. I'll probably be returning it just for this reason. I can't see recording a movie and having to put up with commercials that I can't edit out. Oh, and I went to Sanyos website, and there is nothing there concerning the -500. Odd.

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OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Chipset
The manufacturer of the main chipset the DVD writer/recorder is based on.

Write support / Read support
DVD-R = Works
~~DVD-R~~ = Is not supported
DVD-R? = Not tested

Connection
FireWire = Computer desktop DVD Writer with IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.Link connection (some standalone desktop dvd recorder supports this also but then it is usually to connect your DV camera to the recorder)

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The first rating is based on a weighted rank (the true Bayesian), it requires at least 5 votes to get a weighted rating.
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