Polaroid PDRW-4D-IN DVD Writer


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Polaroid PDRW-4D-IN


OEM:
BTC
Chipset:Mediatek
40xCDR CAV
24xCDRW PCAV
4xDVD-R CLV
2xDVD-RW CLV
DVD-RDL
4xDVD+R CLV
4xDVD+RW CLV
DVD+RDL
DVD-RAM
BD-R
BD-RE
BD-R DL
BD-RE DL
HDDVD-R
HDDVD-RW
HDDVD-RDL
HDDVD-RWDL
HDDVD-RAM
40xCD
12xDVD
BDROM
HDDVD
EIDE, 2MB
More info
$200 5.9/10
15 votes
Read 19
comments

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DVD Media comments for this DVD Writer (click on the link to read the comments):
1 Prodisc 4xDVD-R (ProdiscS03) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
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Comments
19 comments, Showing 1 to 19 comments
 - 

From the last time I posted, I have made a massive jump in my computer in terms of technology (basically, a super pimped out rig). Now, my burner records fine. I may have 2 coasters in a 50 pack. I honestly believe that they key to burning in general is that you need a system that can handle it. Of course, I could be wrong. For those who are curious, here is my new system specs. I hope this is of some help.
P4 3.0gHz 800fsb 512cache
1gB duel channel ddr ram (pc400)
WD Raptor HD (10,000 rpm, 8mb cache)


Comments posted by Van Leibensperger from United States, August 11, 2004. Rated this writer 9 of 10.





I cahnged region a few times with this dvd and when I finally had one change left, I tried to revert to region 1. After long fumbling around, I figured out that we need an original region 1 dvd and not a copy made either by shrink dvd or dvdxcopy, even if you leave the version in.

As weel, i used to not be able to use GQ dvd-rw, but with firmware 51, now I can. Don't throw away your old dvd-rw, the firmware may let you use them even if they are not in the supported list.


Comments posted by Franckler from United States, July 14, 2004. Rated this writer 4 of 10.





I had similar prolems... Roxio would complain about errors and I too had coasters. About 50% success in DVD burning, seemingly worse for DVD-R than +R. Also was unable to find any support, but by following directions below I was able to 1) get LiveUpdate, and 2) get new firmware: [05/28/04 19:47:39] Updating drive Model DVDRW-IDE1004 from Ver. 0039 to Ver. 0350.

First burn to Sony DVD+R 1-4x was smooth... crossing my fingers. Thanks!!


Comments posted by Dave from United States, May 30, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.





I got mine from Fry's and after i burned an 700 meg iso file using DVD decryter on a DVD-R 2x and CD-R 40x it would show up as track 1 cd music file .
I went to www.btcusa.com/english/3-1-driver_download.htm
and used the new flash upgade (version 2.60 v50) mine was v039
now i can read all the coasters i was going to throw away.


Comments posted by davideg from United States, April 08, 2004. Rated this writer 6 of 10.





I thought I had a problem with the burner because no matter what software I used, I couldn't erase 3 DVD-RW's that I had created. But I finally tried new media, a test burn, and a test re-write, and it worked flawlessly. So now I think software IS responsible for my 3 coasters. (But how can you trash a DVD so badly you can't erase it?)

Anyway, my biggest gripe has already been noted here: no support. :(


Comments posted by geoff from United States, March 19, 2004. Rated this writer 7 of 10.





i don't know what you guys are talking about. this is a great dvd recorder. the only coasters i have are my fault, and i use generic disks. all of my movies play back well and burn @ 4x with generic media. if fry's still carried it, i would buy another one.


Comments posted by skillet from United States, March 07, 2004. Rated this writer 10 of 10.





My main concern is the burning process. I use DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink to make my back up, but then comes the big problem. Whatever software I use to burn with gives me errors almost EVERY time. When I say errors, I mean that twords the end of the disk, skipping begins, and then the movie locks up. This also applies to DVD Data disks as well (I can't access certain files). I am almost certain that there is a problem with this burner when it comes to burning further out on the blank dvd. I have used many differnt media types, and have tried burning with DVDXCopy Express 3.0, Nero 5.5, and DVD Shrink 3.1. Also, let me state that when a full movie (menu, features, and all) is burned, there are not always errors on the actual movie itself because the movie data is further inside the disk. However, almost every movie that I have burned has errors on the special features (which is data that is burned twords the edge of the DVD.) This is my story. Thank you, and good night :-)


Comments posted by Van Leibensperger from United States, March 03, 2004. Rated this writer 7 of 10.





An update to my previous post. I think I narrowed down my problem with this drive to the GQ -R media I was using. Have now got Memorex +R and have burned about 15 in a row with no problems. Movies play on my old Pioneer player, my new Polaroid DVD/VHS combo and all my computer dvd drives. Now that I have the firmware upgrade AND the right media I no longer regret my purchase! Because it took me a while to get here and because I know there are now even less expensive drives out there I'm going to rate it a 7. Not bad.


Comments posted by smeagull from United States, February 17, 2004. Rated this writer 7 of 10.





I bought this drive from Fry's a few months back for $119US. It has worked OK with Fry's GQ brand 4x media. When the burn was successful the dvd's would work fine in PC or home dvd player. However, I was getting a lot of coasters (maybe 25/30%). I read hear that a firmware upgrade was working for some so did that (latest that I flashed is v0048). However, since that 'upgrade' I have made 4 -R coasters in a row. Also, the drive now will not read the -R's that it previously burned successfully. It will read a previously burned +R. Any suggestions/insights would be most appreciated.


Comments posted by smeagull from United States, February 08, 2004. Rated this writer No rating.





I am so glad I found this website. I bought the polaroid drive from fry's and have had nothing but problems. It has turned about 4 of my dvd +r into beverage coasters. I am using dvdXcopy gold edition to back up some dvd videos. It says it has successfully burned the video, but when I put it in my dvd player it says invalid disc. Even when I put it back in my polaroid drive to play the disc on the pc it says invalid disc. What is really upsetting is that there is not any support from the polaroid website for this drive. It took me a very long time to even find anything on the drive. I am going to try the firmware upgrade and see if it works. To anyone thinking about buying this drive, do yourself a favor and spend a little more money and get a name brand model.


Comments posted by jay from United States, January 18, 2004. Rated this writer 2 of 10.





Lack of product support makes this product suspect. The bundled software is ok, but the Drag to Disc software only makes DVD's readable on PC's not DVD players. I have had great success with Nero Software version 6.0 and higher in producing DVD movies which are readable on both PC's and DVD Players. Another issue is this product will not work reliably with DVDXcopy Version 1.5.2 especially when you split DVD's. It will give a SCSI Error even though we are using an IDE interface. Other than doing your own support, this drive has worked great for me.


Comments posted by Bubbayao from Other, January 05, 2004. Rated this writer 8 of 10.





I returned my first unit, and with the version 0043 firmware upgrade, the 2nd one is working well so far.
Version 0047 is now available, but I haven't tried it.
Look on www.btcusa.com, click on USA, and support and then drivers and updates, and then DVD+-RW. Be sure to power down the drive (computer) after updating it, as that seems to be necessary.

You can use dvdinfopro (shareware, adware) to check the version number of your present firmware. Mine was originally 0038, now is 0043.

BTC appears to make the drive, and it is marketed under several other names also.

I've now use Fuji DVD-R, Memorex, DVD+R,-R and +RW, Liquid Video DVD+R, with good results.

If I had it to do over, I'd get a Sony or other name brand.


Comments posted by JE from Other, December 15, 2003. Rated this writer 7 of 10.





I have used Memorex 4X DVD+R for every movie Ive copied. They all seem to hang in my Samsung standalone dvd player.
The same dvd+r's play fine in the burner. Don't know what I will do next, but this burner has some issues.


Comments posted by JoeBob from Other, December 12, 2003. Rated this writer 4 of 10.





I purchased this product from Fry's for 129.99 3 weeks back. Comes with Roxio DVD creator and DVD Builder. Created dvd's play on Sony dvd home theater dvd player. 10 days back while it was making a movie, writer reported an error and failed/ never responded. It plays and read's CD's but not DVD's any more. I tried to look for the spec/firmaware and etc on web and found that Polaroid doesnot own this product.. Some Disk Fusion technologies makes and polaroid sells it. There is no online documentation or web help on this product.
Finally I returned the product and got replaced with another. Last night it also failed and returned., Probably planning to buy another one today.

Well this is my experience.


Comments posted by SJanga from Other, December 06, 2003. Rated this writer 1 of 10.





Works fine except for writing DVD-R's. +R and +RW OK.

I tried the BTC flash upgrade (ver 2.60, V043) and it did not fix the problem. Their web site says that they are working on a fix.

The web site is www.btcusa.com/english/3-1-driver_download.htm

The btc Taiwan web site lists a different version, which I have not tried.


Comments posted by J Edrington from Other, December 06, 2003. Rated this writer 6 of 10.





wouldnt write to 3 different -r media. many problems writing to +r. disc could only be read IN the burner. No other pc could see it. Was just about to sh** can it when i found a firmware upgrade for the drive. It is made by BTC. Got the firmware , loaded it successfully. After a re-boot it redected the drive. 100% burn success so far. So, this drive is fine AFTER you upgrade the firmware.


Comments posted by stevec3 from Other, December 05, 2003. Rated this writer 7 of 10.





This site says NEC engine???

http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Default.asp

http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Product.Compare.asp?mid=14&sid=15&Brand=Polaroid&189=on&Items=189&Page=1&Query=Polaroid+AND+%22DVD+Dual+Writer%22&Section=PcDrives&Preview.x=58&Preview.y=7

???

Fry's Electronics has this on sale as of this date for $139, NO REBATE REQUIRED! Cash price in store!!!


Comments posted by isepiq from Other, November 24, 2003. Rated this writer No rating.





I have had no issues with the "PDRW-4D-IN" unit so far. That being said I do have a problem with the unit. WHO actually makes the drive? I can find no creditable information to tell me if BTC makes it, if LITEON makes it or? I thought when I was buying a name brand like Polaroid, I could not really go wrong. I am not happy with the amount of information available on the drive however, and that makes me a bit nervous about keeping the drive. Here is the only website I can find with any real information.

http://www.diskfusiontech.com/dvd_writer.htm





Comments posted by Scott Milella from Other, November 20, 2003. Rated this writer 4 of 10.





Relabled/rebadged BTC-1004IM


Comments posted by Rdc from Other, November 14, 2003. Rated this writer No rating.




19 comments, Showing 1 to 19 comments
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1 DVD Writer hits, Showing 1 to 1 DVD Writers
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Column Explanation:

Click on this for more technical information.

New comments= New comments since your last visit.
New Writer = New DVD Writer since your last vist.

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


Single Layer(4.7GB) write speeds
1x (CLV) = about 58 minutes
2x (CLV) = about 29 minutes
2.4x (CLV) = about 24 minutes
4x (CLV) = about 14.5 minutes
6x (CLV/ZCLV) = about 10-12 minutes
8x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 8-10 minutes
12x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 6.5-7.5 minutes
16x (CAV/ZCLV) = about 6-7 minutes

Dual/Double Layer(8.5GB) write speeds
1x CLV = about 105 minutes
2.4x CLV = about 44 minutes
4x CLV = about 27 minutes

Single Layer (4.7GB) read speeds
1x read speed is 1.321MB/s = ~56 minutes
6x CAV (avg. ~4x) read speed is max 7.93MB/s = ~14 minutes
8x CAV (avg. ~6x) read speed is max 10.57MB/s = ~10 minutes
12x CAV (avg. ~8x) read speed is max 15.85MB/s = ~7 minutes
16x CAV (avg. ~12x) read speed is max 21.13MB/s = ~5 minutes


DVD Write types
CAV = Constant Angular Velocity, the DVD is written at a constantly increasing speed.
CLV = Constant Linear Velocity, the DVD is written at a constant speed.
ZCLV = Zone Constant Linear Velocity, the DVD is divided into zones. After each zone the write speed is increased.
PCAV = Partial Constant Angular Velocity, the DVD is being written at an increasing speed until a certain speed. After this speed it will not increase anymore.


Connection
Desktop = Standalone desktop DVD Recorder
EIDE = Computer DVD Writer with EIDE/IDE connection
SCSI = Computer DVD Writer with SCSI connection
USB = Computer desktop DVD Writer with USB 2.0 or/and 1.1 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)


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


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