Pioneer DVR-116D

Review Pages

1. Introduction, features
2. CD/DVD reading
3. CD error correction
4. DVD error correction
5. CD-R burning - Memorex 48x
6. CD-R burning - Verbatim 48x
7. CD-RW burning - Verbatim 24x
8. Optimal Writing Speed Technology
9. DVD-R burning - CMCMAG AM3 18x
10. DVD-R burning - DAXON 016S 16x
11. DVD-R burning - MCC 03RG20 20x
12. DVD-R burning - RITEK F1 18x
13. DVD-R burning - TTH02 20x
14. DVD-R burning - TYG03 20x
15. DVD+R burning - DAXON AZ3 20x
16. DVD+R burning - MCC 004 16x
17. DVD+R burning - OPTODISC R16 16x
18. DVD+R burning - PRODISC R05 20x
19. DVD+R burning - RICOHJPN R03 18x
20. DVD+R burning - YUDEN T03 20x
21. DVD-R DL burning - MKM 03RD30 10x
22. DVD-R DL burning - MKM04RD30 12x
23. DVD+R DL burning - MKM 003 10x
24. DVD+R DL burning - RITEK S06 12x
25. DVD-RW burning - MKM01RW6X01 6x
26. DVD+RW burning - MKM A03 3.3x
27. Summary of DVD burning tests, Bitsetting, overburning
28. Conclusion

This series of tests checks the drive's ability to correct/conceal possible erroneous data after reading artificially scratched / defective audio discs. The test discs used were the ABEX series from ALMEDIO.

Specifically, a software compares two audio files using FFT analysis. The first audio file has been extracted by a normal audio disc. The second one is the result of the extraction of the another disc which hold the same audio track, but it also has specific defects on its surface. The similarity factor of the the two tracks unveils the error correction capabilities of the drive.

The differences between the two compared tracks are translated to a signal (noise) illustrated in the following graphs.

- ABEX TCD-721R

Errors total	Num : 2436106
Errors (Loudness)	152961	-76.2 db(A)	Max :-33.9 dB(A)
Error Muting	Num : 12408	Avg : 1.2 Samples	Max : 8 Samples
Skips	Num : 0	Avg : 0.0 Samples	Max : 0 Samples
Total Test Result	74.1 points (of 100.0 maximum)

An average score for the Pioneer drive. Although there were no skipped samples and the average level of the Errors Loudness low, noise was reported too early, in areas where the test disc was not defected. This shows us that the drive's error hiding mechanisms are not so good.

- ABEX TCD-726R

Errors total	Num : 34264
Errors (Loudness)	Num : 12986	Avg : -85.6 dB(A)	Max : -47.4 dB(A)
Error Muting	Num : 228	Avg : 1.1 Samples	Max : 3 Samples
Skips	Num : 0	Avg : 0.0 Samples	Max : 0 Samples
Total Test Result	80.5 points (of 100.0 maximum)
C2 Accuracy	100.0 %

Again, a not so good. Error correction starts a bit early, and Errors Loudness Level is a bit high compared to other drives..

- CD-Check Audio Test Disc

The CD-Check Test Disc is another tool for evaluating the Sound Reproduction / Error correction capabilities of a CD player. The disc offers a signal combination with disc error patterns to rate the drive's abilities to read music and reproduce it completely. Five tracks on the disc contain a sequence of progressively more difficult tests. These tracks are referred to as Check Level-1 through Check Level-5.

The tracks are reproduced through a software multimedia player (e.g. Windows Media Player). Each level is considered as passed, if the tone is smooth, continuous without interruptions, skipping or looping. The higher the Check Level passed, the more reliable the sound reproduction of the tested drive.

Error Level	1	2	3	4	5
Pioneer DVR-116D	5/5	0/5	0/5	0/5	0/5

Playback of the majority of the tracks (2-3-4 and 5) produced audible noise and interruptions. The majority of the drives we have tested have managed to accurately playback at least the first three tracks. Bad error correction mechanisms for the Pioneer drive as this is a very poor score.