detail information

Positive:

• Supports 6x DVD+/-R9 Double Layer writing
• Supports 16x CAV DVD+/-R writing speed
• Supports 8x DVD+RW (in the future) and 6x DVD-RW
• Excellent DVD+/-R Writing quality
• Good CD-Writing quality
• Reads DVD+/-R media at 12x.
• Good DVD+/-R Double Layer writing quality with verbatim media
• Reads DVD-RAM media.
• Drive is solid constructed.

Negative:

• Supports 8x DVD+RW only on the paper.
• Very poor DVD+/-R media compatibility.
• Very poor CD-R media compatibility.
• Only 40x CD-Writing and CD-Reading speed.
• 6x DVD-RW writing quality need improvements.
• Doesn't support PIE/PIF error checking in Nero CD/DVD speed.
• Problems backing up some protected audio discs.
• Can't overburn CD-Media.
• Problems reading 99 minute CD-Media
• Does not support Mt. Rainier.
• Does not support bitsetting for +R/RW.
• Drive gets hot to the touch under use.
• Some reading tests indicated that the error correction capabilities of the drive are not the best.
• Has a riplock at 5x for reading DVD-video discs.

Conclusion:

Have Pioneer learned from their mistakes in earlier drives? Unfortunately not, it seems like it still fails in the same categories as before. But let us summarize our impressions of this drive:

The main positive points: You can't get around it; this drive has some of the best, if not the best writing quality of all DVD-Writers on the market. This could be the key point for many to get just this drive. It also supports 6x DVD+R double layer writing and 6x DVD-R dual layer writing, as well as 16x +/-R writing using CAV writing technology.

The main negative points: The key point is that the media compatibility with this drive is horrible, media that have been on the market for over a year and more is still not supported at certified speed, even from large known manufacturers like Ritek and CMC Magnetics. Pioneer should really work on improving the CD-R and DVD+/-R media compatibility. 8x DVD+RW media have been available as samples since late last year, and even with the latest 1.50 firmware there are no support for the 8x DVD+RW that is available, very disappointing to see 8x DVD+RW in the specs when it doesn't support it. Besides this there are some other noticeable drawbacks; missing bitsetting support for +R/RW, missing PIE/PIF scanning support in Nero CD/DVD speed, No overburning abilities, problems with protected audio discs as well as an riplock at 5x.

To sum it all up, this is the best we could say: 'If your main concern is DVD-Writing quality and nothing else - then this drive may fit your needs. But look elsewhere for a good all-round drive." If pioneer would take a closer look at its competition and maintain the same excellent writing quality, the company would have a winner.

You may discuss/comment this review below or in this forum thread. This forum thread may also be used to ask questions around this drive or request additional tests.

Thanks to:

 Conrexx for providing the Traxdata media used in this review. Conrexx technology is the supplier of Traxdata media as well as other Ritek media brands for whole Europe, Africa and Middle East.

 For providing some of the That's Write media used in this review. That's Write focus on providing quality media at reduced prices in Europe.

 For providing some of the Memorex media used in this review. Memorex is one of the largest providers of all types of media for larger parts of the world.

 For providing us with Miflop Extreme and Lite media. Miflop media aims at providing both chea and expensive (Taiyo Yuden) quality media.

For providing the RiData media used in this review. RiData is a Ritek brand and thus you are sure to get Ritek manufactured discs when buying RiData media.

 For providing the Daxon and BenQ media used in this review. Daxon manufacture high quality media for many large OEM customers lke BenQ and Sony.

 For providing the Verbatim DVD+R9 Double Layer media used in this review. Verbatim provides high quality media almost over the whole world.

 For providing the Infiniti media used in this review. Medea is a long time player in the optical disc market.

 E-Net Distribution - United Kingdom for providing the DVD+R 8x and DVD-R 8x media used in this review. E-Net Distribution is currently Europe's largest supplier of CD and DVD media.

Looking for CD and DVD-Media in Norway? Visit www.norwaydisc.no the Norwegian specialist on CD and DVD Media!