Pioneer DVR-A08XLA DL Recorder - Page 14

Conclusion

The Pioneer DVR-A08XLA hits the market with an improved firmware over the DVR-108 drive. We have seen several improvements, mostly in writing quality over the previous v1.04/v1.06 firmware releases, but we feel there is still room for improvement. The biggest problem we saw was with TraxData DL media, since the produced disc was not readable near the end.

As was expected, the DVR-A08XLA is much more eye catching than the DVR-108 model, and you also get the QuietDrive Technology that reduces noise during playback and unleashes the DVD ripping speed up to 12X. However, at the same time, you will be forced to pay extra bucks, since the retail package costs a little more than the DVR-108. Pioneer gives an estimated retail price for the drive at around €159, but we feel it will be lower in order to be able to compete against NEC's and LiteON's 16X recorder proposals...

Certainly the DVR-A08XL series is a good buy, without too many risks for amateur and average users, but with some drawbacks for the more experienced users.

- The Good

• Supports 4X DL writing speed
• Very nice front bezel design
• Quiet operation with QuietDrive Technology
• Supports DVD-ROM booktype for DVD+R9 format
• Very good CD/DVD error correction
• High ripping speed (12X CAV) with the appropriate setting :-)
• Good CD writing quality
• Improved DVD writing quality
• Supports reading of DVD-RAM media
• Can overburn up to 90mins
• Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)

- The Bad

• Low CD recording speed (32X)
• Cannot recognize Key2Audio protected discs
• Cannot backup accurately the newest SD2 protected titles
• Very slow reader when reading SD2 protected titles
• Doesn't support Mount Rainier for CD/DVD formats
• Doesn't support overburning for DVD±R formats
• Doesn't support DVD-ROM booktype for DVD+R/+RW formats
• Doesn't report C2 pointers
• Cannot be used to measure C1C2/PIPO errors for CD/DVD media

- Like To be fixed

• High PIE error rates with specific media
• High 3T Pit/Land Jitter values
• The supported media list for 12X/16X is still restricted (can be fixed with firmware upgrade)
• Ripping problems with CDS200 protected Audio discs
• Recognition/ripping problems with 90/99min Audio discs