5006 - How to pick best replacement drive?

Hi Y'all,

First, I first found out that the Sony DRU-120C drive is a rebadged Lite-On SHM-165P6S from some reviewers of the drive on NewEgg. All 3 reveiwers were classified as high technical capability and seemed to know exactly what they were talking about. I googled later and found other substantiation of it being a Lite-On.

Also, when I first opened my 5006 recorder (USA/Canada model), in hope that cleaning the laser lens would solve my problems (it did not), I was surprised to find that my original drive had a Sony logo. I have since read lots of places that most Sony drives are made by others, including Lite-On.

The info I found first, by reviewers of the Sony DRU-120 drive is here

Take a look at the reviews provided on the following dates:
1/17/2007 8:36 pm
12/14/2006 8:47 am
11/30/2006 8:34 pm

One reviewer states that the machine can be cross-flashed with Lite-On firmware to become a SHM-165P6S. I did not try that, but I strongly suspect it will work.

Finding the current firmware was/is a MAJOR challenge. To further compound the identity crisis for this drive, Sony also sometimes calls the DRU-120C a DW-G120A. And, finding the firmware is confusing to say the least.

If you look at the Sony USA site, the DRU-120C shows no available firmware update at all, indicating to me that the firmware in it is the latest.

That firmware shows up on my recorder now as version MYR5, and I have not changed it to anything other than what came in the Sony DRU-120C drive from NewEgg.

My Lite-On 5006 SN is now: 0104-1840-0101-MYR5 (100-010D)

However, I have read in several places that the latest firmware update is version MYS6, including from the last review on NewEgg at the link above (11/30/2006 - 8:34 pm). However, the Sony link he supplied in his review (to download that firmware version) no longer works.

A google search yielded some promise at CDRInfo.com, which listed 3 firmware versions under the drive's Sony alter-ego here, including the version MYS6 suspected as the latest. However, the links to those firmware downloads were also at the old Sony site no longer valid.

Finally I found a site with a working firmware download here. So I downloaded the MYS6 version, but still have not installed it, as my drive is now resting happily inside my 5006 Lite-On recorder and seemingly functioning perfectly, as far as I can tell, with the MYR5 firmware it came with from NewEgg.

With all the confusing stuff associated with finding Sony firmware upgrades for this drive, I'm now thinking that cross-flashing with Lite-on firmware for the SHM-165P6S may be the better way to go, especially for our purpose of replacing the drive of a Lite-On 5xxx recorder.

With regard to FF (which I first thought was a reference to Freeze Frame), I just tested my 5006, and fast-forward apparently works perfectly, as best I can tell, with the Sony DRU-120C drive. I tested it up to 16x (I think) and no problem fast forwarding or switching back to regular play mode.

So maybe this experiment of mine did result in finding a new option for rejuvenating a Lite-On 5xxx recorder and restoring more of its original capabilities. However, as I said, I don't do VCD, so that is as yet untested. If someone wants to give me a simple way to test that, I'll be happy to do it. Keep in mind, I have only TV (antenna) and Satellite signal inputs to record from.

Hope all this info is helpful. I'll give some specifics about installation later, but it was easy. Just a few snips here and there to make a very nice fit, or you could leave it outside the box, but it fits inside very nicely, so why?

Bottom line, it seems like this MAY be the best replacement drive available today, that restores original performance of the recorder. And as a bonus, it also happens to be about the only drive that gets a composite 5-star rating on New Egg, from over 50 reviewers. To me, it is plenty quiet, it fits nicely and it's only about $45 including shipping right now. As I said, after I saw how it performed as a replacement, I got a second one, just to keep as a spare.

If I can help with any other questions, let me know.

If it works, don't fix it.
Congrats on your success.

You just have to put a blank CD-R(or CD-RW to avoid wasting a disc). The recorder will ask you to choose what type of disc you want(Audio, VCD or SVCD), then it'll prepare the disc, then you can start recording normally.

No freeze on fast forward for the Sony DRU 120C is different from my LiteOn SHM-165P6S and others' SHM-165P6S replacements indicating the freeze on FF may be firmware dependent if your Sony is indeed SHM-165P6S rebadged. BTW are you aware you can back flash your 5006 to 098 hacked firmware and gain region and macrovision free? All recommendations for doing this I've seen recommend doing it before replacing the original 5005 burner, and you may have to reconnect the burner you removed for it to work. You could try it with the Sony drive installed, and it'll either work or not. See http://ncc2315.com/ilo/ for how to hack including archive of LiteOn firmwares to find firmware needed.

You can very easily test VCD recording by inserting a CD-RW to avoid wasting a CD into the drive, select record which should automatically prompt you to select VCD or SVCD and then start recording as you would on DVD. When I tried this with my SHM-165P6S drive in my 5005, it appeared to begin recording but without displaying elapsed time of recording and would not stop recording mode until I unplugged it. Result was no VCD recording was actually done. If VCD recording is successful, you should see elapsed time as it records, and obviously the VCD should play when done if recording is successful. Incidentally I have no interest in VCD recording either, and I tried it just to test it.

According to http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread....t=sony+dru120c
the Sony DRU-120C is indeed LiteOn SHM-165P6S rebadged, and there's even a link to the MYR5 firmware on page 2 in post #36 if you were to flash newer version and wished to return to MYR5. According to another post in the link the LiteOn SHM-165P6S is simply an SHW-160P6S with DVD-RAM added which I didn't know until now.

Just to update everybody - it's not a perfect replacement. As everyone else seems to have experienced, the DRU-120C will not make VCD or SVCD, but will record Audio CD. I just tested it on that.

Thanks joseph5 and bevills1 for instructions.

You did apparently find a solution to freeze on FF problem that should help those that use the recorder as a player, but I use the recorder only for recording and use a DVD player for playing in order to save wear and tear on the recorder.

Great Job. No one ever said it was hard to mount it inside the unit I just wanted to make sure I had the best replacement before taking the time to mount it inside. I wouldn't upgrade the firmware because you might loose the FF. I think you found a better replacement if someone wants to spend a extra $10 to keep the FF. I just wished it would do the VCD & SVCD.

How is the heat from this burner? When I tested the Lite-On 18x I just let it record for 6 hours straight to see how hot it would get.

As for the FREE shipping on the 18x & 20x they raised the price up a couple of bucks. I noticed Newegg doing this alot. I would still save $3.64 though.

I am going to put the 20x burner project on the back burner for now and try a different burner. If Lite-On is making burners for Sony WHO ELSE ARE THEY MAKING THEM FOR? If the burner don't work in my DVD recorder I can always put it in my computer. If anyone has any sugestions of a burner to try let me know. Maybe there is a better replacement out there? Will all IDE burners work in the recorders?

I'm going to look now and pick a couple out to try. I'll let all of you know what ones I'm getting today.

Well I had 3 picked to try after checking the reviews ect. When I went back to Newegg only 1 was not sold out so I ordered it. I'm going to be tring a
NEC 7170A-0B TOTAL COST $33.98
I read in the reviews at Newegg that it has a SONY label on it. This could be interesting.

Here is a thought. Anybody that has a dvd burner in their computer that is not a LITE-ON try it in your recorder. Just ones that are still available though. So far it looks like SONY is the best replacement. I'll get back to let you know about the NEC.

I suspect all IDE burners will work in recorders, and I read in other threads where one had success with a Pioneer DVR-105 and another with NEC 3520 with the only difficulty being fitting the drawer cover which was the only tricky part for me with my SHM-165P6S replacement. The only way to know for sure is try and see, but I suspect the recorders communicate with burners not all that different from the way PCs communicate with burners but with more limited functions for the burner in the recorder.

I agree that they might all work. But the best replacement is the one that will have ALL the functions of the origional. So far looks like that Sony is the closest and I beleave there is at least one that will maintain all of the origional functions. I am hoping that the NEC will be as good a replacement if not better that the SONY. If it works as well as the SONY I just saved $10.

At http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=210533 a link is given to external LiteOn burner from Staples for $29 after rebate, and one post there confirms this is SHM-165P6S drive. Does anybody know if this drive could easily be removed from the external enclosure and fitted into the 5005? FYI this seems to be a clearance item not found through online search, and you'll need to check local store for availability.

Correction, the burner in my post #37 link is from Office Depot, not Staples.

? ? ... Aren't CPU requirements for these burners a problem ?

I just bought 2 I/O majic at Staples yesterday that are 160P6S drives, ad says 19.99 after rebates, so i bought 2, cost of 42 bucks and some change out the door, then get home to find that they gave me a 30 dollar MIR for 1 drive, then I noticed they only charged me for one.....so I know have 2 drives ater rebates that cost me a little over 6 bucks a piece, awesome!

The box code is IDVD 168DL just for you guys info.

Hunter4u,

Are you using these as a replacement drive in a 5xxx recorder?
If so, let us know how they perform. Particularly, whether you can mke VCDs and SVCDs. The Sony DRU-120C (aka Lite-On SHM-165P6S) corrected all my DVD disc recognition and recording problems, and it also restored erase, fast forward and audio CD recording functionality, but not VCD and SVCD recording.

To keep you updated on the NEC AD-7170A replacement. Plays DVD's and CD's very well. It even has FF. Now for the bad news
It will not;
record anything ( DVD's, SVCD or VCD)
will not erase media
It works great in the computer (everything works)
It is the same as a Sony AW-G170A. I am going to change it to see if it will work. I have a friend that is real good with computers and he is going to help me so I don't mess the burner up. I will report back as soon as we give this a try. It might take some time he's pretty busy.

I was just letting you know what was in the boxes right now, well in Cincinatti, Ohio anyways. Up here visiting kin folks and just happened to read here about the deals at staples, so I went and lucked up.

I think my recorder is a 5007----will look and see, sorta hope these will work in it so I have a backup if mine fails.

No CPU burner requirement problem that I'm aware of for these LiteOn burners. I decided to try 1, and requirements state at least Pentium 2, 250 MHZ. The store rang up the 1 I got for $50 probably in error, but that means mine's free after $50 rebate. The I/O Magic special Hunter4u found must be only a regional special as I don't find it in the south east US.

It's hard to commit the correct specifications to memory when I've been looking at eBay auctions ... But I have here a retail box for a 3S series that reads, "PIII 450Mhz, 800Mhz recommended" ... and according to the Lite-On website, the 160P6S and 165P6S burners (6S series) require a "Pentium 4, 1.3GHz or higher CPU".

It is amazing that any of these new drives work in a standalone recorder.

I stand corrected. My memory was faulty, and box for my burner does state "Pentium 4, 1.3GHz or higher CPU." However, I suspect they will work on lower specification systems but at slower speed. Previously I was using a Pioneer 107D (8X burner) on AMD 750 MHZ system and thought I'd get faster performance by getting a new 16X burner, but performance improved only very slightly. Then I upgraded the system to AMD 2600+, and DVDShrink processing was cut by more than half, i.e. from over an hour down to about 30 minutes for a particular DVD. Then I placed the old 107D in an old Pentium 2, 450 MHZ resulting in only slightly slower results than the 750 MHZ system. Several years ago I recall Leo LaPorte on CallForHelp stated video processing should be done on systems faster than 1000 MHZ, and I believe that's likely the point where significant performance loss begins. However, I suspect all DVD burners will work on systems less than specifications albeit at very much reduced performance.

You guys are way off topic. we are talking about replacing drives in a DVD recorder not computers.

According to http://www.techolio.com/forums/phpBB...3a709108176df0
replacement drives that work best are models beginning with 4, 8, 12 & 16, but unfortunatley all are discontinued and thus difficult to find. The link also states the Benq 1620 was fully functional replacement, but it too is discontinued. For me personally the freeze on FF and lack of VCD/SVCD recording for the 160, 165 and 18x LiteOn models is no detriment since I use the 5005 strictly for DVD recording for which these models perform well. For what it's worth according to posts at http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=197283 users also had similar results with NEC 3520 and LG GSA-H42N drives to add to replacement drive options that do at least record DVD and play DVDs for those that use recorders as players.

FYI NewEgg currently shows the Sony DW-Q120A for $27.99 with free shipping for any looking for replacement drive at a great price. BTW according to http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=205452 the DW-Q120A can be cross flashed to LiteOn SHW-160P6S and SHM-165P6S if desired, but it may be worth trying as is which might work as well or better than the LiteOn like the hleone DRU-120C that didn't have the FF freeze problem.

FYI From Code Guys the Sony DW-Q120A can be crossed flashed to become a
Lite-On SHW-160P6S. they are both from the 6th. Generation. I would say this isa a good replacement for the price and if it won't work cross flash it to a Lite-On and it will work. Thanks bevills1 for the info.