TDK VeloCD "deal"

[Mike7]

Okay, this was only a deal in the broadest sense of the word, but I think it's worth relating, just the same.

A few weeks ago, I ordered a TDK VeloCD from buy.com. It arrived in, like, 2 days. At which time I sent the following email to buy.com (quoted in part):

<begin text>

A couple of days ago, I ordered a TDK CD Rewriteable drive from you. It arrived today. Thanks for the prompt delivery. But it is described on your site (for example, at http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10255780&loc=101) as having a 4mb buffer. The box, however, clearly says "2mb buffer." Okay, this isn't a huge thing, but if in fact you're incorrectly describing a product you sell, you might want to do something about the error.

<end text>

The next day I received an email back from buy.com, thanking me for bringing this error to their attention, and informing me that they were going to send me 50 12x Imation CD-R's free of charge, to prove their gratitude. (The CD-R's arrived shortly thereafter.)

Perhaps not a "deal," technically speaking, but I figured it was worth at least a mention.

I should also note that the VeloCD drive works great. I was torn between this CD-RW drive and a Plextor, and while I won't knock Plextor, I don't regret my decision at all. (It's the 12/10/32x IDE drive, with 24x ripping speed and Failsafe Write Protection -- which is just BurnPROOF technology by another name; on the box it even calls it BurnPROOF.)

I did have a slight problem installing the included "CD Blender Recording Software," and emailed TDK about it. The next day, TDK support got back to me with the suggestion that I should disable my virus scanner before attempting to install. Which solved the problem -- and yes, I would ordinarily have recognized the problem as being caused by this, but I guess I wasn't thinking clearly. The point is, TDK's support people were both prompt and helpful. So I give 'em a gold star; they deserve it.

[johnnymk]

I thought that I read somewhere that the TDK VeloCD was manufactured by Plextor. I wish I could find a site that lists the manufacturers and who makes what brand.

[tuxster]

I purchased a VeloCD from buy.com as well. I put in the order like 3 pm and it came in the next morning although I had chosen the cheapest shipping option!

Installation was a breeze, and the writer works wonderfully. I didn't particularly like the TDK Jukebox (whatever it's called) for audio burning, but it also comes with Nero which is very nice... The veloCD's performance especially for CD-RW's is very pleasing using inCD..

I hope you are also using the $50 rebate that TDK has... Circuit City has a copy of the rebate form online, or you can go to your local CompUSA and get a copy from the rebate center...

[NiTeGoDzz]

For the person who made this post everyone who orders the 12x TDK burner gets a 50pack of CDRS free. me and two other friends ordered it from buy.com and we all recieved a 50 pack of TDK cds. just thought you should know since you thought buy.com gave them to just you.

[giambona]

I couple of months ago I ordered a package of 50 cd-r from buy.com that was advertised on their site as including jewel cases. When it came it was on a spindle. I have sent them several e-mails, but they still haven't done anything about it.

[damonal]

Hey guys, this deal is even HOTTER...

I bought this drive before Thanksgiving because I saw the deal posted over at Anands...Well, I read there today that TDK (Plextor, ahem) just came out with a new firmware update which allows this beast to now rip DAE at 32x (up from 24x)!!!! Check it out:

http://www.tdk.com/support/velocdsup12x.html

Awesome free upgrade!

[JIWC]

how many minutes does it take to burn a standard 650 MB CDR with htis drive?

[Y2J]

Originally posted by JIWC
how many minutes does it take to burn a standard 650 MB CDR with htis drive?

Hmm, lets see here
1X - 74 Min
2X - 37 min
4X - 18.5 min
6X - 12.3
8X - 9.25
10X - 7.4
12X - 6.2
16X - 4.6

[UDM]

this is the correct link

http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10262188&loc=101

its only a dollar more

UDM

[damonal]

Yup, that's how my VeloCD performs. 6 - 7 minutes for a full CD. Installed the new firmware tonight and vwoola, 32x ripping...Just got the $50 rebate form in the mail today too. Sweet.

BTW, when the buzz on this drive started, the 50-cd pack was $11 more...buy.com recently upped the standalone drive $10 during their "free" shipping period...

[Jimmy]

I have a couple of questions about the rebate. I called TDK and asked them about the rebate. They said you had to use the origonal coupon on the drive and that only certain stores had the drive with the couppon. buy_com was not one of them. Does NE1 know more that this ?

[saturn_saturn]

You get get Extra 6% cash back from buy.com.
Check
http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=14464

[P-Fresh]

Before I sent my rebate in, I asked if I could send a packing slip as a reciept since i bought it online. They asked where I bought it, and I said buy.com. They said that was ok, but you never know.

[P-Fresh]

Can someone tell me how to rip audio from this drive with the software it came with? I figured out how to do everything else with the mixmaster and nero software, but not this. Feel free to call me an idiot... feel freeer (we'll pretend that is a word) to give me some help.

[damonal]

You will find all information here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=274576

Call 1-800-835-8273 and ask for the rebate department. Tell them that you bought the 12/10/32 VeloCD from Buy.com and you'd like them to send you the rebate slip. I asked a few days ago and received the slip today.

As for ripping, I rip using the awesome app CDEX which can be downloaded for free at:

http://www.cdex.n3.net/

CDEX lets you rip to MP3 or WAV or vice-versa...extremely well featured.

Just make sure you uncheck "Enable Jitter Correction" in the CD-ROM options or you'll rip at 1x instead of 32x!

[P-Fresh]

I tried that number... on hold for three days

[UDM]

For the rebate go to the Circuit or Compusa or BEst Buy B&M stores...

i went to Best Buy i bought the same drive and returned it, it comes up with a rebate coupon when you check out..you return the product and still the retained the rebate coupon and reciept..viola

UDM

[P-Fresh]

Ever heard of a UPC?

[UDM]

UPC talking to me?

i meant the rebate information is printed on the Reciept and take the UPC from the item bought at Buy.com

UDM

[P-Fresh]

I am using CDex, and I unchecked enable jitter control, but I still seem to be ripping at 1x... what's wrong?

[P-Fresh]

I guess it was to be ripped to wav to go that fast? How fast can I rip a track to mp3 with the velocd?

[Y2J]

Use musicMatch Jukebox

[Sador]

Originally posted by NiTeGoDzz
For the person who made this post everyone who orders the 12x TDK burner gets a 50pack of CDRS free. me and two other friends ordered it from buy.com and we all recieved a 50 pack of TDK cds. just thought you should know since you thought buy.com gave them to just you.

Actually, that is NOT the case! Having ordered my TDK 12X burner in about the same timeframe, and getting it shipped with the aforementioned speedy delivery, I can verify that not eveyone gets the 50 pack of media for free. I'm happy for the 4 of you (total) who did get them, but not everyone is as lucky as you.

[Nack]

To be clear on the free 50-pack for everyone...

It is true that not everyone gets the free 50. It depends on which SKU you order. When I ordered, the PRICE difference between the one without the CDs, and the one with the 50 "free" 12X 74 minute CD-Rs was about $12. I opted to save the $12 because I had just gotten 100 12X 80 minute CD-Rs for $19.99, and really didn't need anymore. I guess they have now adjusted the price to make the one that comes with the "free" CD-Rs similarly priced to the one the doesn't. Cest la vie.

Nack