Sony DRU-830A User manual

Operating Instructions
© 2006 Sony Corporation
2-698-954-11 (2)
BG68-01230A REV.01
IT
JP
FR
DE
ES
IT
CS
DVD/CD
Rewritable Drive Unit
DRU-830A

2
Safety Regulations
WARNING
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual
could void your authority to operate this equipment.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
CAUTION:
As the laser beam used in the DRU-830A is harmful to the eyes, do not attempt to disassemble
the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard.
The use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified
herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
This label is located on the top of the drive unit enclosure.
Dieses Etikett befindet sich an der Oberseite des Laufwerksgehäuses.

3
The DRU-830A is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT.
The CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT label is located at the top of the enclosure.
Bei diesem DRU-830A handelt es sich um ein Laser-Produkt der Klasse 1.
Das Etikett mit der Aufschrift LASER KLASSE 1 PRODUKT befindet sich an der Oberseite
des Gehäses.
CE Sicherheitsbestimmungen
Diese Ausrüstung erfüllt die Europäischen EMC-Bestimmungen für die Verwendung in
folgender / folgenden Umgebung(en):
• Wohngegenden
• Gewerbegebiete
• Leichtindustriegebiete
(Diese Ausrüstung erfüllt die Bestimmungen der Norm EN55022, Klasse B.)
Compliance Statements
Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment (Applicable in the European
Union and other European countries with separate collection systems)
This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product shall
not be treated as household waste. Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable
collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. By
ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential
negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could
otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this product. The
recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources. For more detailed
information about recycling of this product, please contact your local Civic Office, your
household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.
CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT
LASER KLASSE 1
PRODUKT
LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE
KLASS 1 LASER APPARAT

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Table of Contents
Safety Regulations .......................... 2
Compliance Statements .................. 3
Introduction
Unpacking the Package Contents ... 6
Features ........................................... 6
System Requirements ..................... 7
Part Names and Functions .............. 8
Setup
Setting up the Drive ...................... 10
Appropriate Jumper Settings ........ 15
Replacing your current optical
drive with the DVD/CD rewritable
drive ............................................ 15
Installing the DVD/CD rewritable
drive as a second drive ............... 16
Installing the DVD/CD rewritable
drive as a third drive ................... 17
Installing the DVD/CD rewritable
drive as a fourth drive ................ 18
Operation
Using the Drive ............................. 19
Supplied Software ...................... 19
Using Generic Software with the
Drive ........................................... 20
Compatible Discs .......................... 21
Recommended Writable Discs ... 23
Writable Disc Features ............... 24
Precautions on Writing/Playing
Discs ..............................................28
Maximizing Performance ..............30
User Support Web Site ...............30
Updating the Firmware ...............30
Turbo Boost Function .................30
Miscellaneous
Precautions for Use .......................31
Specifications ................................32
Support Overview .........................34
User Support Web Site ...............34
Update the Drive Firmware ........34
Product and Support
Information .................................34

5
• is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
• Pentium is a registrated trademark of Intel Corporation.
• Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
• Other system and product names used herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of their
respective manufacturers, although the ™ and ® marks are not used in the text.
❑Our product warranty is valid only when the supplied accessories (including software) are
used in the specified or recommended system environment, in accordance with the
documentation, and applies only to this DVD/CD rewritable drive. Our customer service
and user support apply only under these product warranty conditions.
❑Please note that we cannot accept responsibility for failure of the computer or other
devices, incompatibility with special hardware, operating problems caused by improper
installation of software, loss of data, discs or other accidental or incidental damage that
might occur when using this product.
❑The guarantee and user support for this product are valid only within the countries or sales
regions specified on the warranty card.
❑Copyright laws prohibit the copying in part or in full of the supplied software and
documentation, or loaning the software, without obtaining permission of the copyright
holder.
❑We cannot accept responsibility for any direct or indirect financial damage or loss of profit
that might occur when using the supplied software.
❑The supplied software can only be used with this product.
❑Specifications of the supplied software may be changed without notice in the interest of
product improvement.
Please Record Responsibly
Before copying anything onto a disc, please be sure that you are not violating copyright
laws. Most software companies allow you to make a backup or archive copy of software.
Check your software’s license agreement for details.

6
BIntroduction
Unpacking the
Package Contents
Please verify that the package contains the
following when unpacking.
If any of these items appear to be missing
and/or damaged, please contact your dealer.
•Drive
• Screws (×4)
•Quickstartguide
• Software quick start guide
• Operating instructions
(this document)
• Front panel replacement guide
• Front panel replacement kit
•Softwaredisc
• Warranty card
Note
Make sure that you back up the supplied software
disc on another disc because the software disc is
not distributed independently.
Features
This product offers the following features.
❑An internal DVD/CD rewritable drive
with ATAPI (EIDE) interface for
computers.
❑Can be used horizontally or vertically.
❑The drive can write to DVD+R Double
Layer and DVD-R Dual Layer discs.
❑You can write at a maximum of 18×
when using high speed DVD+R,
DVD-R discs.
❑The drive can write to DVD-RAM discs.
❑Features the
technology to prevent buffer underrun
errors.
❑You can replace the front panel of the
drive with the supplied replacement
front panel.

7
Introduction
System
Requirements
The drive should be used with a system that
meets the following requirements1).
❑PC/AT-compatible computer
❑CPU: Pentium III, 800 MHz or higher
(Pentium 4, 2.0 GHz or higher
recommended)
❑256 MB RAM (512 MB for Windows
Vista) or more
❑1 GB (10 GB for DVD creation) free
hard disk space
❑One available EIDE (ATAPI) interface
connection with DMA capability2)
❑One empty 5-inch half-height drive bay
❑One available internal +12 V/+5 V
power connector3)
❑Operating system:
Windows 2000 Professional SP4
(referred to as Windows 2000 SP4),
Windows XP Home Edition SP2/
Windows XP Professional SP2
(referred to as Windows XP SP2), or
Windows Vista Home Basic/Windows
Vista Home Premium/Windows Vista
Business/Windows Vista Ultimate
1) The above requirements are the minimum
necessary requirements to write to disc
normally. Under actual operating conditions,
the requirements imposed by your software
must also be met. For details, refer to your
software documentation.
2) The drive does not support connection to an
ATAPI interface card. Connect the drive to the
IDE (ATAPI) interface connector of your
computer’s motherboard.
3) The drive consumes a lot of power when
operating at high speeds. You should therefore
make sure that the rated power output of the
power outlet where you connect all your drives
is sufficient to power all the drives, including
this one. For details about each drive’s power
consumption rating, refer to their
documentation.

8
Part Names and Functions
Front Panel
Rear Panel

9
Introduction
ADisc tray
Insert discs here, label side up.
Hint
When you insert a disc into the drive, make
sure that it is under the four pins. When using
the drive vertically, make sure that you set the
disc inside the two lower pins.
BEject button
Press to open and close the disc tray.
CEmergency eject hole
If you cannot open the disc tray with the
eject button, turn off your computer, and
then insert a thin, elongated object into
this hole to eject the disc tray manually.
DBusy indicator
Indicates the drive status.
Lit: The drive is reading data,
playing back an audio CD, or
writing packets.
Blinking: The drive is writing data
(disc-at-once, track-at-once),
formatting a disc, or
deleting1) data from a disc.
Off: The drive is in a state other
than those outlined above.
1)Some drives indicate this state with the lit
indicator.
EDo not use.
FAnalog audio connector
Analog stereo audio output. Using an
audio cable, connect to the audio
connector of a computer with a sound
card.
Note
Connecting a cable other than an audio
cable or otherwise misusing the audio
connector may cause damage to the
product.
GJumper
A jumper is set on the appropriate pins
before connecting the drive.
HIDE connector
Connect to the computer with the IDE
flat cable.
IPin 1
The location of this pin determines the
proper orientation of the connection
cable.
JPower connector
Connect the connector of the computer’s
internal power supply.
About 40 mm (1.6 in)
CSEL
SLAVE
MASTER
CSEL
SLAVE
MASTER
Jumper pinsJumper pins
5V GND 12V
DC INPUT

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BSetup
Setting up the Drive
The installation and setup procedures outlined below assume that you are using
a standard computer. For details about how to install peripheral devices into
your computer, refer to the instructions supplied with your computer.
Before installing the drive
Referring to “Unpacking the Package Contents” on page 6, verify that the
contents of the drive package are complete.
Note
Avoid touching any exposed electronic conductors or contacts on the circuit boards of the
drive or your computer, as they can be damaged by electrostatic discharges from your body.
Make sure that you discharge any static electricity from your body before performing this
operation.
1Turn off your computer, disconnect the power cable from the
outlet, and then remove the computer cover.

11
Setup
2Determine which connection method you want to use, and then
adjust the jumper.
Depending on whether you want to connect the drive as MASTER or SLAVE,
place the jumper on the pins, as illustrated below.
If you are unsure of the appropriate jumper setting, see “Appropriate Jumper
Settings” on page 15.
Notes
• If installing the drive to replace one using the CSEL jumper setting, place the jumper on
the CSEL pins of the drive before installing it.
• Only place the jumper vertically, as illustrated. Placing the jumper horizontally may
damage the drive and/or cause malfunctions.
Jumper Jumper
SLAVE
CSEL
MASTER
SLAVE
CSEL
MASTER

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3Connect the cables.
• Connect an unused power connector from the computer’s power supply to
the DC input (power input) connector of the drive.
• Connect the IDE flat cable to the IDE connector of the drive.
Hint
If your computer supports digital playback, you do not need to connect the audio cable
to the analog audio connector. Most computers support digital playback at this time.
Notes
• The side of the IDE flat cable with the red line indicates the pin 1 conductor. Verify that
the pin 1 side is connected to pin 1 on the motherboard.
• The power connector must be inserted with the inclined side upwards.
• If there is no spare power connector, you must use a “Y” adapter.
Analog audio
connector
IDE connector
IDE flat cable
Pin1
DC input connector
Power connector
Red (pin 1)
To computer
motherboard
5V GND12V
DC INPUT

13
Setup
4Install the drive into a 5-inch drive bay with the supplied screws.
5Replace the computer cover, and then reconnect the power
cable to the outlet.
6Start your computer, and make sure that the drive is detected.
On the Windows desktop, open [My Computer], and verify that a new drive
icon is displayed.

14
7Insert the supplied software disc into the drive, and then install
the software on the disc.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
For details about the software on the supplied software disc, see “Supplied
Software” on page 19.
Hint
You do not need serial numbers when you install the software on the supplied software
disc. However, in some instances you may have to purchase serial numbers or upgrade
keys to upgrade the software.

15
Setup
Appropriate Jumper Settings
Depending on the settings of your computer, use one of the following
configurations.
Hint
Your computer has two IDE connectors: a primary and a secondary connector. You can
connect up to two devices to each connector using cables (one master device and one slave
device per cable; hard disk, CD, or DVD drives, etc.). The hard disk of your computer is
normally connected on the primary IDE cable as the master device. Before connecting the
drive, refer to the items below to determine your situation, and then place the jumper in the
MASTER or SLAVE position.
Connect the drive as follows.
Replacing your current optical drive with the DVD/CD rewritable
drive
1st drive
Hard disk drive (usually)
MASTER
Secondary
IDE connector
Current optical
drive
Primary
IDE connector
Use the same
setting as the
current drive’s
jumper setting.
DVD/CD
rewritable drive

16
Connect the drive as follows.
Installing the DVD/CD rewritable drive as a second drive
Secondary
IDE connector
Primary
IDE connector
2nd drive
Place the jumper in
the MASTER position.
DVD/CD
rewritable drive
1st drive
Hard disk drive (usually)
MASTER
The following configuration is also possible.
Secondary
IDE connector
Primary
IDE connector
Place the jumper
in the SLAVE
position.
DVD/CD
rewritable drive 1st drive
Hard disk drive (usually)
MASTER
2nd drive

17
Setup
Connect the drive as follows.
Installing the DVD/CD rewritable drive as a third drive
Secondary
IDE connector
Primary
IDE connector
Place the jumper in
the SLAVE position.
DVD/CD
rewritable drive
1st drive
Hard disk drive (usually)
MASTER
3rd drive
2nd drive
Hard disk drive, or
DVD/CD drive, etc.
MASTER
Secondary
IDE connector
Primary
IDE connector
The following configuration is also possible.
Place the jumper
in the MASTER
position.
DVD/CD
rewritable drive
1st drive
Hard disk drive (usually)
MASTER
3rd drive
2nd drive
Hard disk drive, or
DVD/CD drive, etc.
SLAVE

18
Connect the drive as follows.
Installing the DVD/CD rewritable drive as a fourth drive
Secondary
IDE connector
Primary
IDE connector
Place the jumper in
the SLAVE position.
DVD/CD
rewritable drive
1st drive
Hard disk drive (usually)
MASTER
4th drive
2nd drive
Hard disk drive, or
DVD/CD drive, etc.
SLAVE
3nd drive
Hard disk drive, or
DVD/CD drive, etc.
MASTER

19
Operation
BOperation
Using the Drive
Use the supplied software to create discs and play back DVDs. Refer to the
documentation of each software for details about their operation.
The supplied software disc contains the following software.
Nero Home
Nero Home is a media management software with a simplified TV interface.
It allows quick access to your entire digital media library via remote control.
Nero Scout
Nero Scout is a media database software accessible from any Nero application
and many Windows applications, like Windows Explorer. It allows you to
browse all of your media files instantly.
Nero StartSmart
Nero StartSmart serves as the command center to quickly start all the software
of the Nero suite.
Nero Express
A light version of the Nero Burning ROM software. Makes it even easier job
to create CDs and DVDs.
Nero BackItUp
Nero BackItUp is software that allows you to back up the data on your hard
disk to the hard disk, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, or CD-R/RW
discs.
Nero Vision
DVD-Video and video CD authoring software.
Nero ShowTime
DVD-Video and video CD playback software.
Nero Recode
Nero Recode is software for compiling, copying and archiving DVD-Video
titles and other video files (that are not copy-protected) onto DVD+R/RW,
DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, or CD-R/RW discs.
Nero CoverDesigner
CD and DVD cover and label creation software.
Supplied Software

20
Nero MediaHome
This software allows you to share video and audio files among several
computers on a network connection and to play back such files seamlessly
from any of the connected computers.
Nero PhotoSnap
This software can be used to edit image and picture files.
Nero PhotoSnap Viewer
This software can be used to view image and picture files.
Nero Toolkit
The utilities of Nero Toolkit provide information about the system and more. Nero
CD-DVD Speed tests the speed of the existing drives. Nero DriveSpeed adjusts the
write speed to minimize drive noise. Nero InfoTool provides the main
characteristics of drives, the discs they contain, and the installed software.
Using software other than the supplied software (such as generic software,
shareware, or freeware) to write data to disc with this drive is not under
warranty and Sony offers no customer service if problems arise from using
such software.
Make sure that the supplied writing software and generic writing software do
not coexist on your computer. Taking appropriate steps to avoid this situation,
especially in the case of packet writing software1) or format utility2) will help
prevent erratic operation of the software and/or computer.
If the generic software you are using does not detect the drive correctly, visit
the Web site of the software manufacturer and update the software, as this may
solve the problem.
1) Such as Roxio’s Drag-to-Disc, BHA’s B’s CLIP, and Sonic’s DLA.
2) Such as BHA’s DVD-RAM Driver and Panasonic’s DVD Form.
Using Generic Software with the Drive