Pioneer DVR-108D - Crowning a new Champion
by Kristopher Kubicki on August 31, 2004 12:02 AM EST- Posted in
- Storage
Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, this is the best DVD Recorder that we have tested to date. We are looking forward to catching a glimpse of some of the BenQ and NEC solutions in the upcoming weeks, but until we can obtain samples, we have to claim the Pioneer DVR-108D as our recommendation for best DVD recorder. The nearly identical NEC 3500A specifications excite us, and we are anticipating looking at the drive later this month. Particularly, the drive may have promise for those interested in bit setting capabilities (which are not supported in the DVR-108D).When compared to our reigning DVD recording champ - the Plextor PX-712A - the choice becomes even simpler. While we have enjoyed many months of Plextor's service as a standard against which to measure our other drives, the DVR-108D outperforms the PX-712A in every test that we have. Considering the additional features like dual layer and DVD-RAM, we really find it difficult to find a fault with the drive. And just to make everything all the sweeter, the Pioneer drive retails well under $100 on our RealTime Price Engine.
We look forward to testing our Pioneer DVR-108D with more 16X media as it becomes available, but until then, the drive can remain our number one 12X DVD burner - even if it is marketed as a 16X unit.
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RyanVM - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
No SATA? Count me out.(I hope manufacturers read these comments)
Fishie - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
I decided to test that Ritek DVD+R DL (DVD 9) disc in my Toshiba M1802 DVD-ROM. It actually finished the test but it doesn't look so good.http://www.adventurousduo.com/host/ritekr9dltoshib...
KristopherKubicki - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
Ian@CDRlabs:>How can you say this drive is the best you've tested when you haven't even burned any discs at 16x?
Um? It burns the best quality discs at 12X and 8X. It doesnt have to burn at 16X to still burn better than any drive we have tested. And not that that really matters since 16X media availabilty is fairly non-existant still.
Kristopher
Fishie - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
Unfortunately, I only have Ritek GO3s right now so I cannot test 16x.I forgot to mention that I had the same results burning a Ritek 2.4x DVD-R9. It seemed to burn fine (using the latest version of Nero and DVD Shrink) but when I read it, it fails at the second layer.Degrador - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
With the 1.04 and 1.06 firmwares, yes, 12X was faster than 16X. However 1.10 starts the 16X zone a bit earlier, enough so that 16X burning is now faster than 12X. And yes, I also own one. However I use the beta firmware hack made by >:NIL - this allows overburning of 4X media (I can write Ritek G04s at 12X). Btw, booktype setting doesn't matter with DVD-R, it's not applicable.Fishie - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
I own a 108. Yes, it does read slower than it's counterparts. My Lite-On SOHC-5232K/Toshiba M1802 are faster readers. What I don't understand is why the review was done with firmware version 1.04 when they have two new firmwares out? I am using firmware 1.10 and it will burn my Ritek R03s 8x at 12x. It would only do 8x with v1.04http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e...
http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e...
http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/support_software.js...
Also, CDR Info did a review. On their tests, the write time was faster at 12x than 16x. They list a quote from Pioneer as to why this happens. As far as booktype setting: With +R DL media, it automaticaly sets it to 0000h (DVD-ROM). It doesn't support it with -/+ R.
LittleKing - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
Good review, but unless I'm looking at it wrong, the "Read Tests - Printed Media" page shows this to be a bit slower than it's counter parts.Also the overimage change doesn't work in FoxFire.
LK
Ian@CDRlabs - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
How can you say this drive is the best you've tested when you haven't even burned any discs at 16x?danidentity - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
Can't wait to see how the ND-3500A compares. If you guys want to test it, it's readily available at Newegg.And I'm not sure if you know, but it burns CD-R at 48x versus 32x for the Pioneer 108.
hjs - Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - link
Can't wait to see the benq tested (who also has that bitsetting thing onboard)