Hi

I was contemplating getting the Pioneer DVR-212 until I read some posts on the Samsung. Now I'm not too sure whether I should go for the Samsung instead

I'll be using the DVD drive to backup data and ripping DVDs as well as CDs. I tend to use DVD-R/RWs rather than DVD+R/RWs. I also use Riteks, Datasafe and Ridics DVDs. Quality and reliabilty of the resulting burn is important.

I've read about scanning - Am I right that this is only used to check the quality of the resulting copy? Is there any more use of scanning? If not, it seems unimportant for my needs.

Also read about bitsetting which I think is not important if I use DVD-R/RW media.

Should I still go for the Pioneer DVR-212? Or is the Samsung SH-S203B a better drive to go for 

Thanks for any advice!

I have both drives and prefer the Samsung SH-S203B... but if you are not going to burn quality media (i.e. Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden), then the Pioneer would probably be best for your needs.  It seems to do a decent job with the questionable quality media you specified.

(in reply to Billy Whizz)

Thanks, SithTracy. Just wondering, would the Samsung not like the media that I use? Would it not be able to burn them as well as the Pioneer?

(in reply to SithTracy)

The Samsung favors quality media like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim.  I had some crap RiData and CMC given to me and the Pioneer produces accpetable results... not great though.  The Samsung gives me quality scores from "0" to "35" with CDSpeed scanned with a BenQ DW1640.

(in reply to Billy Whizz)

If you're gonna buy a cadallic you don't put cheap gas in it.

I.E...  If you buy the Samsung, don't buy cheap media.  I would never buy cheap media no matter what drive, because you really do get what you pay for.

(in reply to SithTracy)

Thanks guys. I've got a stack of Ridiscs that I use with my current Pioneer (DVR-107) and they burn successfully. Sounds like the DVR-212 should cope with them as well

(in reply to SithTracy)