Offering the world's fastest write speeds, 16x on DVD-R or +R and 4x on DVD+R DL (!)

• July 13, 2004, Tokyo, Japan - Pioneer Corporation announced today the introduction of the DVR-A08-J (pure white), DVR-A08-J-BK (black) and DVR-A08-J-SV (silver), the world's first DVD writers capable of recording at up to 16x write speed on DVD-R or +R discs and at up to 4x write speed on DVD+R DL (double-layer) discs. They will be available in Japan in late July 2004 with the monthly production of 10,000 units, 8,000 units and 8,000 units, respectively. The retail prices are not suggested.
  
  Pioneer's new DVD writers realize not only the industry-leading write speeds on DVD-R discs, DVD+R DL discs and +R discs, but also provides high-quality recording and high reliability with quiet operation owing to Pioneer-developed eminent technologies which have been further advanced from Pioneer's previous writers.
  
  The DVR-A08 fully satisfies a wide range of requirements from PC users, such as high productivity, quieter drive, accurate recording and stylized design.*
  
  

*Obtained Curtesy Of Pioneer Co. Japan.

Still Z-CLV though...

Please post your questions/comments below!

Looks good, especially the silver. Might get one as my DVD-ROM. But only 40X CD-DA DAE, I prefer 48X..

(Edited by emperor, change post title, looks much better now!)

[Deleted by Admins]

(in reply to Clint)

Excellent unit! I'm looking forward to seeing the review... and then shelling out $250 CDN for it in another month or two...

(in reply to Deleted User)

We hope to have it here soon, 16X DVD±R and 4X DVD+R DL are good speeds! However how good the new drive would be? Many questions, no answers for now...

Recording speeds:
* DVD+/-R 16x-speed (Zone CLV), 12x-speed (Zone CLV), 8x-speed (Zone CLV), 6x-speed, 4x-speed, 2x-speed, 1x-speed
* CD-R 32x-speed (Zone CLV), 24x-speed (Zone CLV), 16x-speed , 10x-speed, 4x-speed
* CD-RW 24x-speed (Zone CLV), 20x-speed (Zone CLV), 16x-speed, 10x-speed, 4x-speed

Reading speeds:
* DVD-ROM/DVD-Video(Single Layer) 5~16X (CAV)
* DVD-ROM/DVD-Video(Dual Layer) 5~12X (CAV)
* DVD+/-R 12X (CAV)
* DVD+/-RW 8X (CAV)
* DVD+R DL 8X (CAV)
* DVD-RAM 2X (Zone CLV)
* CD-ROM 40X (CAV)
* CD-R 40X (CAV)
* CD-RW 32X (CAV)

For sure the reading speeds are promising, too bad ZoneCLV is adopted for both DVD and CD formats, the writing times would be increased, i am wondering about the steps, 6X->8X->12X->16X ??

(in reply to Dolphinius_Rex)

This by specs looks like a great drive. I though we were going to have to wait until the A09 to get 16x +/- support. Nice to see, am curious how this is going to work on 8x certified media. If this drive can perform as advertised, it should be a popular model. Looks great in silver!

(in reply to emperor)

I hope the drive would have much more than good advertised speeds, else Pioneer won't sell much, i guess they need it, BenQ is around the corner and hopefully September we will have Plextor hitting the 16X/DL writing...

No info was mentioned about Booktype setting at the official press release, we will try to find out if will adopted (i hope so...)

(in reply to digitaldoc)

quote:

ORIGINAL: emperor

No info was mentioned about Booktype setting at the official press release, we will try to find out if will adopted (i hope so...)

It really must have this feature for the sake of DVD+R9 compatibility. This is an important feature for +R9, since it is pushing playability on older players (Bitsetting, I refer to).

(in reply to emperor)

That is correct Clint, even NEC forced to add/release underground the utility...

(in reply to Clint)

quote:

ORIGINAL: emperor

We hope to have it here soon, 16X DVD±R and 4X DVD+R DL are good speeds! However how good the new drive would be? Many questions, no answers for now...

By hoping to have it soon are we talking about 2-3 weeks or 1-2 months?
just curious!

(in reply to emperor)

Actually it should arrive by middle of August

(in reply to enzo78)

Ok, our Japanese friends got us as usual and managed to test two A08 drives from OEM vendors with v0.50 firmware...Here are their test results:

- 4X DL Writing (with Verbatim DL media): 27:44mins (nice!)



- DVD+R DL Booktype: Media is burned directly with DVD-ROM Booktype (nice!!!)

- 16X DVD-R (used Maxell 8X): Uses Zone-CLV, as I predicted, 6X->8X>12X and at the end 16X, 12X DVD-R also uses Zone-CLV at three Zones, 6->8X->12X, at 16X 7:04mins for full disc, at 12X 7:03mins, yes 12X is faster since for the 16X the drive lowers its writing speed before being able to shift up to 16X...!





- 16X DVD+R: Same as before, at 16X 7:19mins for full disc, at 12X 7:09mins, yes again 12X is faster since for the 16X the drive lowers its writing speed before being able to shift up to 16X...! Also notice that 16X DVD-R is faster than 16X DVD+R, seems that Pioneer tuned up firmware a bit favor for DVD-R





To read the full test report, visit PC Watch if you understand Japanese

(in reply to emperor)

[Deleted by Admins]

(in reply to emperor)

So what we don't know if, is A08 also supports Booktype bisetting for DVD+/-R/RW and what chipset uses ( i assume NEC)

(in reply to Deleted User)

quote:

ORIGINAL: emperor

So what we don't know if, is A08 also supports Booktype bisetting for DVD+/-R/RW and what chipset uses ( i assume NEC)

You see, that is a flawed attempt at 'true' 16X since Z-CLV really holds back the performance. I am not suprised at all that 12X is actually faster on the A08.

What should be noted is the 4X +R9 using (my favourite writing methed) CLV on 2.4X media, and the automated adoption of DVD-ROM bitsetting. WELL DONE PIONEER! This feature alone makes the A08 worth having, especially if you will use it solely to produce +R9 @ 4X (!) [which is what I would use it for..]. The only question on my mind is the actual writing quality @ 4X on those MKM 2.4X & compatibility, since this media should be avaliable very soon here in Oz!

A nice attempt Pioneer, looks to be a good product.

(in reply to emperor)

This burner really caught my attention! Most b/c I'm a fan of Pioneer electronics.
Something about them that I really like!

Reading about it a question came in mind regarding Warranty service, how many years warranty will they offer?
I send them an E-mail for some days ago and today I got the answer.

The DVR-A08XL will come with a standard one year warranty!

really disappointing, IMO!
With retail price under €200 I would had expected it to have a 2 years warranty deal!

With i.e. NEC 2510A and Plextor PX-712A offering 2 years warranty, it's like an investment!
If the product would fail to perform after 1½ years you will either get a new one or the
latest model at that time!

(in reply to Clint)

For sure 16X Z-CLV isn't fast, lets wait to see the drive at least with 1.00 firmware

(in reply to enzo78)