Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Best DVD-ROm drive replacement for 598?

Thanks for your answer Doron.
I already tried it (by email) but they never answered me ... .

PY

My 596 with a DSL-710A doesn't play DVD-RW's. Never did from day one. Does anyone else have a 710A drive that plays DVD-RW's? I have a 598 as well and I think it has a DSL-720A. It plays just about everything.

Ron

Does it play neither DVD-RW's nor DVD+RW's?

Yes, They are kind of slow.
In my case I left a message and a guy came back to me after a week...nevertheless thay asked how many units I want (they are used to sell to companies) and said it would be 40$+ shipping for one unit. I ended-up buying the DSL-710A over e-bay. Do not give up if you want the DSL-720A.
They should be able to assist you.

Cheers,

Doron

From: Joanne Yang
To: George Mills

This model had been discontinued.

Sorry about that.

Joanne Yang ( joanne@dvs.co.kr )

DVS Sales, Inc.

Tel : 408-260-3303

Fax : 408-260-3304


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: George Mills
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 1:18 PM
To: sales.dvs@dvs.co.kr
Subject: DSL-720a



Can I buy 1 DSL-720a in the US?



Thanks

Never tried DVD+RW's. My DVD recorder is -RW, -R only. I have a newer DVD recorder now in one of my PC's that supports +RW but I had purchased a large quantity of -RW's so there was no need to get any more. Plus I use them in my standalone DVD recorder a Pioneer Elite DVR-7000 that only uses -RW's so I stick with -RW's.

It might be a weak laser in the drive I have. I was thinking of getting a new drive on eBay to replace it. Its cheap! That's why I wanted to know if anyone else was using DVD-RW's with a 596 and 710A drive.

Ron

Hi,

I left a message with DVS USA and the guy got back to me on the 710A.
Someone must have some DVS DSL-720A stock left.
In addition, their new models have the same mounts as the 710/720 so it is about firmware.
I wonder if the DSL-710A will play on your machine.
For 20$ over e-bay, I would say its worth the try or else go and replace it at Meridian US or buy it from them and repalce it yourself.
Meridian US seems much better than the Canadian distributor.

Good luck,

Doron

It might be worth flashing the loader with newer firmware. Check out these sites and make sure you get the correct firmware version:
http://www.nerd-out.com/darrenk/dvdrom_firmware/dvdrom_firmware.htm
http://www.dv-rec.de/download/index.html

So, those tempting 'bargain' DVS DSL-710A drives are still available on eBay, and the 720 in my 598DP is starting to die. I, too, called DVS at their US office, and after a couple of weeks was told there were no 720s available for purchase any longer.

Since I can't find a source for the 720, and there's been quite a bit of informed speculation here about using the 710 as a plug-and-play replacement in the 598, I wonder if anyone has now tried this and can confirm whether this might be the bargain it seems. I'd like to know about any issues encountered, as with firmware, for example.

I'm ready to buy a couple of these at the price: one to install and one to hold in reserve. After all, wasn't this the great promise of the Meridian machines to begin with? No fancy DVD drives, just cheap DVD-ROM loaders (the identical ones found in older Apex machines, BTW) which could be tossed out and replaced simply when they die, with the 'heavy lifting' (and superb 'lifting' it generally is) done by Meridian's electronics and code writing expertise.

Thanks in advance,
Roger

I don't think anyone has has said a 710 will replace a 720 in a 598. It will probably run but you may lose some features.

I think DVS does have a newer drive that has the same mounting. that also is a writer that might work just as good as a 710.

I'm kinda waiting to see if 720 over stock shows up one day.

I guess I got the wrong impression, especially based on some of Doron's comments, and assumed that it might be possible to replace the drive with a 710, and of course, at US$20, that's tempting.

Which newer DVS model do you believe would work as plug-and-play in the 598, George? If it's the 820, DVS America told me that is also unavailable.

You're probably right, though (he said hopefully) and someone will sell NOS 720 drives somewhere on the Web, soon.

Thanks,
Roger

When I last contacted them a couple months ago the 820 was available. Again 710 will probably play but you will probably lose some functionality. Nobody I know has tried and in my opinion Doron is guessing like the rest of us.