Pioneer DVR-110D: Dual Layer Double Time!
by Purav Sanghani on September 15, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Storage
Final Words
The DVR-110D released with its 1.08 firmware is not the worst drive that we have seen, but it does not live up to our expectations. The failed write on the MCC 03RG20 and TYG03 media broke our hearts, since they are rated high on the list for quality.
However, we cannot expect too much out of a first release firmware. Pioneer's firmware teams do have to feel out the wrinkles, and after giving some time to iron them out, we should see higher performance. The media to which the DVR-110D was able to write successfully was completely readable, with exception to the low quality AN31 and VDSPMSAB 001, and the PlexTools scans proved this when we saw 0 uncorrectable errors and a low frequency of PI errors.
At the time that these results are published, there may be a newer firmware out for the DVR-110D and in no way should this review be the only deciding factor in your purchasing decision of a DVDR drive.
For now, BenQ's DW1640 and Plextor's PX-740A still perform better than any other unit out there in both speed and quality across all types of media. We cannot yet recommend the DVR-110D because of the handful of failed writes to the higher quality media, but time and future firmware updates will tell if Pioneer can still keep up.
The DVR-110D released with its 1.08 firmware is not the worst drive that we have seen, but it does not live up to our expectations. The failed write on the MCC 03RG20 and TYG03 media broke our hearts, since they are rated high on the list for quality.
However, we cannot expect too much out of a first release firmware. Pioneer's firmware teams do have to feel out the wrinkles, and after giving some time to iron them out, we should see higher performance. The media to which the DVR-110D was able to write successfully was completely readable, with exception to the low quality AN31 and VDSPMSAB 001, and the PlexTools scans proved this when we saw 0 uncorrectable errors and a low frequency of PI errors.
At the time that these results are published, there may be a newer firmware out for the DVR-110D and in no way should this review be the only deciding factor in your purchasing decision of a DVDR drive.
For now, BenQ's DW1640 and Plextor's PX-740A still perform better than any other unit out there in both speed and quality across all types of media. We cannot yet recommend the DVR-110D because of the handful of failed writes to the higher quality media, but time and future firmware updates will tell if Pioneer can still keep up.
Special thanks to Marken Communications for supplying us with Verbatim brand test media.
Special thanks to Antarra Communications for supplying us with Ridata brand test media.
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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!