We just received a test sample of Pioneer's new high speed SATA ReWriter, the DVD-RW DVR-215. The subversion that we got on out hands is the DVR-215BK, and its only differrence to the DVR-215 is the black face. There is also a DVR-215D version, which contrary to the previous ones, does not support writing of DVD-RAM media. This drive's specifications look similar to the DVR-115 except that this one is connected via SATA and it has the ability of writing DVD-RAM media. Also, the DVR-115 is using the NEC MC-10041 Chipset, where this one is using the NEC MC-10042.

The writing speeds for the DVR-215 drive are set high. It supports 20X writing of DVD±R, 10X writing for DVD±R DL, 6X for DVD-RW, 8X for DVD+RW and 12X for DVD-RAM. The reading speeds are also very good, with 16X for ±R and ROM DVD media, 12X for Dual Layer DVD media and 13X for RW DVD media.

The current firmware of the drive at the time of the tests being performed, is the "1.18".

- Drive Features & Specification

Key features	DVR-215BK
	Max 20X writing speed for DVD-R/+R Max 10X writing speed for DVD-R DL / +R DL (Dual / Double Layer media) Max 12X writing speed for DVD-RAM
	Multi-effect LCD Tilt Servo Compensator Mechanism Ultra-DRA (Dynamic Resonance Absorber) low vibration mechanism Performance adjusting firmware Disc-Resonance Stabiliser Supports "Buffer Under Run" protection (CD and DVD)
Specifications	DVR-215BK
Write Support	DVD-R Ver. 2.0 and 2.1 (for general 4.7GB) DVD-R DL (Dual layer) Ver.3.0 (8.54GB) DVD-RW Ver.1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 (4.7GB) +R Ver 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 (4.7GB) +R DL (Double Layer) Ver 1.0, 1.1 (8.54GB) +RW Ver 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 (4.7GB) +RW High-Speed Ver 1.0 (4.7GB) DVD-RAM Ver 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 (Class0), (non-cartridge) DVD-RAM Ver 2.2 [RAM2(Class10], (non-cartridge) Photo CD (single and multiple session) Video CD CD-DA CD-Extra CD-Text CD-R (Type 74 - 650MB, Type 80 - 700MB) CD-RW (Supports AM2) HS CD-RW (Supports AM2) US CD-RW (Supports AM2) US+ CD-RW (Supports AM2)
Read Support	DVD (DVD-5; Single layer, single sided 4.7GB) DVD (DVD-9; Dual layer, single sided 8.54GB) DVD (DVD-10; single layer, dual sided 9.4GB) DVD (DVD-18; Dual layer, dual sided 17.09GB) DVD-R Ver.1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 (4.7GB) DVD-R Ver. 2.0 and 2.1 (for general 4.7GB) DVD-R DL (Dual layer) Ver.3.0 (8.54GB) DVD-RW Ver.1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 (4.7GB) +R Ver 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 (4.7GB) +R DL (Double Layer) Ver 1.0, 1.1 (8.54GB) +RW Ver 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 (4.7GB) DVD-RAM Ver 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 (Class0), (non-cartridge) DVD-RAM Ver 2.2 [RAM2(Class10], (non-cartridge) CD-ROM Mode 1 CD-ROM XA Mode 2 (form 1, form 2) Photo CD (single and multiple session) Video CD CD-DA CD-Extra CD-Text CD-R (Type 74 - 650MB, Type 80 - 700MB) CD-RW (Supports AM2) HS CD-RW (Supports AM2) US CD-RW (Supports AM2) US+ CD-RW (Supports AM2)
Write Speed DVD-R	20X CAV (27.70 Mbytes/sec)
Write Speed DVD-R Dual Layer	10x Zone CLV (13.85 MB/sec)* Note: * This specification describes the maximum speed in one zone.
Write Speed DVD-RW	6X CAV (8.31 Mbytes/sec)
Write Speed 8cm DVD-R/RW with Adapter	2X CAV (2.77 Mbytes/sec)
Write Speed +R	20X CAV (27.70 Mbytes/sec)
Write Speed +R Double Layer	10x Zone CLV (13.85 MB/sec)* Note: * This specification describes the maximum speed in one zone.
Write Speed +RW	8X Z-CLV (11.08 Mbytes/sec)
Write Speed DVD-RAM	12X P-CAV (16.62 Mbytes/sec)* Note: * Class0 Media: 2X, 3X, 5X * RAM2 Class1 Media: 6X, 8X, 12X
Write Speed CD-R	40X CAV (6.00 Mbytes/sec)
Write Speed CD-RW	Normal: 4X CLV (0.60 Mbytes/sec) HS: 10X CLV (1.50 Mbytes/sec) US: 24X Z-CLV (3.60 Mbytes/sec) US+: 32X (4.80 Mbytes/sec)
Write Speed 8cm CD-R/RW with Adapter	4X CLV (0.60 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed DVD-ROM (Single Layer)	16X CAV (22.16 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed DVD-ROM (Dual Layer)	12X CAV (16.62 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed DVD-Video (with CSS, Single / Dual Layer)	5X CAV (6.92 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed DVD-R/+R	16X CAV (22.16 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed DVD-R DL / +R DL (Dual/Double Layer)	12X CAV (16.62 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed DVD-RW / +RW	13X CAV (18.00 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed DVD-RAM	12X P-CAV (16.62 Mbytes/sec)* Note: * Class0 Media: Max 5X * RAM2 Class1 Media: Max 12X
Read Speed 8cm DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD-Video with Adapter	3.4X CAV (4.70 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed CD-ROM	40X CAV (6.00 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed CD-R	40X CAV (6.00 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed CD-RW	32X CAV (4.80 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed 8cm CD-ROM CD-R/RW CD-DA with Adapter	6.1X CAV (0.91 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed CD-DA CD-TEXT Mixed CD CD-Extra (Play audio)	9.3X CAV (1.39 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed CD-DA CD-TEXT Mixed CD CD-Extra (Data extraction)	40X CAV (6.00 Mbytes/sec)
Read Speed Video-CD	9.3X CAV (1.39 Mbytes/sec)
Access Time DVD-ROM	130 msec (Random Average)
Access Time DVD-RAM	210 msec (Random Average)
Access Time CD-ROM	120 msec (Random Average)
Interface	Serial ATA Rev2.5
IDE Data Transfer Mode	Gen1i, 1.5Gbits/sec
Data Buffer	2MB
Mounting Orientation	Horizontal and vertical (+/- 5 Degrees)* Notes: * 80mm discs cannot be used when the drive is vertically mounted. The case remains even when an adapter is used.
Power Requirement	+5V 1.85A +12V 1.25A (Average during 20x CAV DVD-R writing process)
Power Consumption	24.3W (Average during 20x DVD-R CAV writing process)
Regulatory Approval	UL60950-1 First Edition, CSA C22.2 No.60950-1-03, EN60950-1:2001+A11, CB Report: IEC60950-1:2001, FIMKO, SEMKO (Optional)
Dimensions (W x H x D) mm	148 x 180 x 42.3 (Including height of Front Bezel)
Net Weight	0.8 kg

Our test sample was the bulk version of the drive, so we did not get the stuff that the bundle offers. The drive connects to the PC through a typical Serial-ATA interface.

- Drive Bulk Retail

Our test sample was manufactured in China on October 2007.

This drive's electronics are built on the NEC MC-10042 Chipset.

- Nero Info Tool

The drive was connected via the SATA interface and was recognized as "PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-215 ".

Let's proceed to our usual CD/DVD reading and recording tests, as well as the writing quality tests of the Pioneer drive, powered by DaTARIUS.