Pioneer DVR-A08XL

[Areku]

Does anyone know when the release date for this doo-hicky is going to be? Im kinda considering purchasing one myself as I have been looking at the DVD-R drives for a while now.

Also any chance of a Hexus review on this?

[Nomadd]

Depending on price, I'd also look at the 107. The highest speed media for the new '08' drive is bound to be very pricey, as is the drive. Is it really worth all the extra cash? Your call.

I have the 107 and use branded Ritek G04 media. The drive and the media (if bought in bulk) are dirt cheap. I've never had a single bad burn in over 75 blanks. The disks work in my DVD player, XBOX, PS2, PC. Can't fault it (BTW, it was my first DVD drive.)

Nomadd

[GAteKeeper]

I think the point about the 108 is the fact that it will support dual layer which the 107 doesnt!

I am thinking of getting a 108 to replace my 106 when they come out and drop to a resonble price (along with the blanks)

GK

[Nomadd]

re: "I think the point about the 108 is the fact that it will support dual layer which the 107 doesnt!"

But is that only '+DL', or is it going to support '-DL' as well. It's the lack of '-DL' that's kept me from looking at these drives so far.

re: "...and drop to a resonble price (along with the blanks)" (sic)

Yep, that's the point I was making. Depending on the guy's needs, the 08 and the very, very expensive dual media - plus the fact that it might not be compatible with what he wants to play the disks back on - would make me question the drive at this point in time. Still, his call. Me, I'm very happy with what I've got, and it'll keep me going for another 6-12 months until the whole DL thing settles down and a lot more 'real world' feedback is available. Still, by then we might be looking and some form of HD-DVD! :-)

Nomadd

[Rave]

16X burning is generally only a minute or two faster than 8x, as you can really only spin the disc up to 16x speed right at the outside edge. What the 108/A08 do have going for them is that they can do DL burning at 4x. I'm thinking that the NEC ND3500 might be a better buy as as far as I can tell the NEC drives have some of the most enthusiastic firmware hackers out there. Komplett have them on preorder for £60.

Rich :¬)

[jamadaia]

Be carefull though, as this new pioneer drive is actually slower @ x16 than most new drives @ x12 because of its write strategy.
You may want to look at say the new NEC 3500 and 3510 (DL) drives which are due any day and will also be cheaper and faster.

[Grey M@a]

yeah i would agree look at the NEC and weigh it up between the two, obviously Pioneer has the name but recently they have been slacking, used Pioneer for years and recently every pioneer drive i get will last about 6 - 10 months then develop problems.