Pioneer DVR-110D: Dual Layer Double Time!
by Purav Sanghani on September 15, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Storage
DVD+/-R Dual Layer Media
MKM 001 (DVD+R DL)
This is where the greatest improvement has been implemented in the DVR-110D. Pioneer’s utilization of the new NEC chipset introduces 8x dual layer write capabilities, which shows much promise. The CAV write process began at 6x and kicked up to 8x at around the .6GB mark, then back down to 6x at the 3.2GB mark. This pattern is then repeated over the second layer without any issues.
MKM 01RD30 (DVD-R DL)
The –R version of Mitsubishi’s dual layer media performs identically to the MKM 001. The speed patterns are almost exact copies here with a slight variation in the average write speeds over the course of the media.
The screenshots of Nero’s CD-DVD Speed and Plextor’s Plextools can be downloaded here.
MKM 001 (DVD+R DL)
This is where the greatest improvement has been implemented in the DVR-110D. Pioneer’s utilization of the new NEC chipset introduces 8x dual layer write capabilities, which shows much promise. The CAV write process began at 6x and kicked up to 8x at around the .6GB mark, then back down to 6x at the 3.2GB mark. This pattern is then repeated over the second layer without any issues.
Here, the read back on the DVR-110D shows a perfect write as it can read all parts of the disc back flawlessly. The PlexTools scan shows some randomly scattered peaks in PI errors on the second layer between the 6GB and 7GB marks, but the disc is still completely readable.
MKM 01RD30 (DVD-R DL)
The –R version of Mitsubishi’s dual layer media performs identically to the MKM 001. The speed patterns are almost exact copies here with a slight variation in the average write speeds over the course of the media.
The read back on the DVR-110D shows the same results, but the PlexTools scan reports differently. The majority of PI errors are concentrated on the second layer, still between the 6GB and 7GB marks, but in greater frequency. Still, the disc is completely readable.
The screenshots of Nero’s CD-DVD Speed and Plextor’s Plextools can be downloaded here.
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DigitalFreak - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
But who can afford dual layer media? I don't care if the drive can burn DVD+-R/DL @ 20x, if I have to pay $3/disc for the media...Anton74 - Friday, September 16, 2005 - link
It makes for a good backup medium. Tapes of similar capacity are far more expensive, and far slower as well.Not to mention, the price of the media will undoubtedly drop over time.
Questar - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
Still reviewing DVD drives? $50 items?I'm left speechless.
LoneWolf15 - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
Yeah, because all of us would like to buy three or four, spending money and time to RMA if necessary because Drives A, B, and C didn't have good write quality standards across multiple media manufacturers and burnt horrible discs, or burned 80% of the media on the market at 2-4x instead of max. rated speed.
Just because a product is inexpensive doesn't mean it's not worthy of a review. Heck, I'd like to know which 120mm case fans produce the least amount of noise, for example. Do I want to buy ten just so I can test it out myself?
In the same way, DVD burning today is much like second-gen CD writers about nine years ago. Media differed by manufacturer, and some drives did a lot better writing than others. The problem is rarer today now that technology has matured, but with DVD burners, the technology is like a child; some growth has been achieved, but it's still a long way from maturity. All of us here want the best for our money. Don't you?
vijay333 - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
Yes. Who cares how cheap they've become? It's a matter of how often you actually use them these days - you'd still like to get the best possible product. Falls into the same category as mouse reviews...wanderer27 - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
Firmware is at v1.17 on the Pioneer Site. Why are we looking at v1.08 issues ?PuravSanghani - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
At the time we tested this drive, 1.17 had not yet been released, which we stated in the review. We would also like to get some feedback from those who do have newer firmware versions applied on the performance/quality of burning to various types of media.If you do have the DVR-110D, or any other product we have reviewed in the past for that matter, with newer firmware than we have tested with, we would like any input you, our audience, can provide to help the rest of the community.
For those looking for reviews besides DVD writers, we have quite a line up in the coming weeks so keep an eye out!
Purav
DigitalFreak - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
I would like to see an updated review with the 1.17 firmware, if it fixes any of the issues they had. However, it appears that 1.17 has only been out for a week, so they probably had the article done awhile ago.Lifted - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
you heard me, fix it!n7 - Thursday, September 15, 2005 - link
BenQ DW1640 still has the crown!