With the launch of the DVD-103 DVD-R/RW drive, Pioneer has included a feature allowing 2X recording of DVD-R. This feature has been brought about by Pioneer’s own engineering endeavor. Within each drive is media specific optimizations called ‘write strategies’. These write strategies are tailor made for specific media, making 2X DVD-R recording possible or not...

Currently the DVD forum’s specification for DVD-R is 1X DVD-R recording. Pioneer was able to base its 2X DVD-R recording feature on the DVD forum’s specification, making it possible to include this benefit to its customers.

To make 2X DVD-R record compatible ‘For General’ media, the following steps must be completed before consideration. First, the media must pass the DVD forum’s verification for 1X DVD-R. Once cleared, with the media maker’s cooperation, Pioneer fine tunes the media for 2X recording, then confirms the mass production DVD-R media. Only after passing these tests media is considered 2X DVD-R compatible media.

Due to the use of this development system, depending on the media’s release date, 2X DVD-R recording may not be possible. Unlike high speed CD-R recording, 2X DVD-R recording requires optimization. Without optimization, the possibility exists that the recorded media will lack the desired playback quality. This system has been implemented in order to avoid customer confusion over DVD-R media that is deemed not compatible with 2X recording.

Pioneer will make its best effort to make it more understandable to the end user by making this information available in our instruction manual, product packaging, and other methods of communication. We will continue to contact various media manufacturers to increase the number of 2X record compatible DVD-R media. Pioneer suggests use of the following DVD-R media for 2X recording.

- DVR-A03/103
Hitachi Maxell, LTD
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Verbatim)
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Pioneer Video Corporation
TDK Corporation (use v1.65 or higher firmware)

- DVR-A04/104 (All above plus)
Taiyo-Yuden Co. , LTD
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., LTD (Panasonic)

Of the media manufacturers listed above, there does exist media that is not 2X DVD-R compatible. To confirm whether or not the media intended for use is 2X DVD-R compatible, please ask at the point of purchase. The 2X DVD-R record feature is a media specific feature. Depending on the media used, the record speed may default to 1X.

Of the media manufacturers listed above, there does exist media that is not 2X DVD-R compatible. To confirm whether or not the media intended for use is 2X DVD-R compatible, please ask at the point of purchase.