Ehhh, bulk=BS???

Bulk is the drive sold without manual and software, it comes to the dealer x number in a box, therefore the name bulk.
Retail is one product in a nice fancy box with extra software, cable, screws, manual, etc. Higher cost with the bundle and it takes up more space than the bulkversion so the transportation cost is higher.
Does'nt make the drive "bullshit".

hellsat

(in reply to valval)

The bulk version is not too bad. Same performance but without software. Do you need the software?

Sorry I cannot answer, I still haven't see results from the Plextor. However I can safely say that I like LG better than Pioneer.

(in reply to valval)

It seems that some people here are not elligible for advices to others. I am dissapointed because nobody on this forum is a real pro.

How can one say that the bulk version of Pioneer 108 is the same with the retail version? Have you read any reviews hellsat about those drives? There is a total different cooling method for one, the retail version being a much more silent drive, with a different firmware. The review is right here on the site, just take a look at it.

Is there a real specialist here somewhere?

(in reply to hellsat)

Do you think the "cooling method" makes the difference? I think this is totaly not important, especially for such a money difference.

(in reply to valval)

if most expensive drive is the best, i would surely get a SONY, cause the name speaks for itself...

if i want to be known as a more advanced/less idiot user, doing some research before buying anything with a fancy name on it, i would surely get a LG

Of course, i am not reffering to anyone personally here... Anyway, between the bulk and the retail version of pioneer, i would get the bulk because quality results are the same. The retail version is comfortable for all those that don't want to mess up with cracked burning software, and needs everything in the box... However, if you can get "free" burning software, and if you already have IDE cables and screws, get the bulk version and make a clever purchase...

On the other hand, if you are not in the mood of believing anyone in this forum, and if money is not an issue, why don't you get both bulk and retail version, make your own quality scans, contribute to this forum by posting the results, and return the "worst" drive demanding a refund (or even give it to a friend)

(in reply to Iggy)

hehe, nice move m8.... now you have insulted the whole forum.

Btw, you're right. I'm not an expert on burners etc. (hmm, coming to think about it....can't recall that I've claimed so either!), but I know the difference between bulk and retail. Most of the time the retail and bulk is identical production, but sometimes there are minor differences because of different production date. Still does not make the product BS.

hellsat

(in reply to valval)

Imagine that the Asus drives exactly the same as the Pioneer.

(in reply to hellsat)

since you believe no one in here can help you, go read the reviews for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
why ask when you are not willing to listen.
as has been said if you believe higher prices means better product then go by a sony since they seem to be very expensive. plextor and even pio retail drive are nice and expensive too. surely for the money you pay you will get the results you want.

(in reply to Iggy)

quote:

It seems that some people here are not elligible for advices to others. I am dissapointed because nobody on this forum is a real pro.

Since when is the Zebra and Emperor not pro's? Be thankful there is a forum that you can get in depth reviews, and expert advice for free.

With your attitude, I recommend you go buy an Artec recorder. For the record, you spelled eligible, and disappointed wrong above. Stop criticizing, and work on your spelling.

(in reply to valval)

quote:

ORIGINAL: valval
How can one say that the bulk version of Pioneer 108 is the same with the retail version? Have you read any reviews hellsat about those drives? There is a total different cooling method for one, the retail version being a much more silent drive, with a different firmware. The review is right here on the site, just take a look at it.

NO! There is quite some confusion here indeed! The DVR-108 and the A08XLA are what seems to be contrasted in this situation. They are totally different hardware and totally different firmware bases. The drives are fabricated completely differently. They use a different drive spindle. The OPU is slightly different also! The RETAIL version of a DVR-108 and the OEM version of the DVR-108, oftentimes found as "Piodata" hardware are the same drive with a different kernel!!!! THIS is what you were referring to.

To recap:

Retail DVR-108 != A08XLA
Retail DVR-108 == Piodata 108 OEM using different kernel base


Do not confuse this issue.

Yes they are indeed, however the results are not $80 different, don't you think?

(in reply to zebra)

Haha. Yes Iggy, I agree with you. I could never justify the purchase of an A08XLA. In my opinion, it is superfluous hardware.

It depends on what one wants.

Some people are willing to pay a lot for looks and silence. DVR-A08XLA does offer both to those seeking it.

After all, some of us are happy to buy mediocre/qa failing Plextor drives, just because it comes with Plextools Pro :)

(in reply to zebra)

quote:

ORIGINAL: valval

What is the best dvd-rw unit right now on the market? As specified in the title, money are not the issue.

buy Nec and Pioneer, don´t forget to buy LiteOn to use with Kprobe.
there are a lots of "Mod-Firmware" for all of three Drivers.

(in reply to valval)

quote:

ORIGINAL: digitaldoc

quote:

It seems that some people here are not elligible for advices to others. I am dissapointed because nobody on this forum is a real pro.

Since when is the Zebra and Emperor not pro's? Be thankful there is a forum that you can get in depth reviews, and expert advice for free.

With your attitude, I recommend you go buy an Artec recorder. For the record, you spelled eligible, and disappointed wrong above. Stop criticizing, and work on your spelling.

Well, people who answered before were thinking that the difference between A08XLA and 108 are just that A08 comes with software ... they didn't seem like the "pro" type. I am also not a pro, and while I can and did read the reviews, it seems like there are a ton of minuses at each drive, but I cannot really estimate which minus is a really annoying minus (like say doesn't burn both types of RW, + and -) and a non-important minus (like it doesn't do CDs at 48x) for all the presented minuses.

For the record I am not a native english speaker and I am very curious if you are able to speak correctly both literally and gramatically in other language than english ... until then, please do not comment about other people's typos ;)

Zebra, what would be the advantages of the A08XLA versus NEC 3500A ? (the disadvantage being obviously the price, but I am willing to pay more for a silent drive (silentium maniaq here :P )).

(in reply to digitaldoc)

quote:


Zebra, what would be the advantages of the A08XLA versus NEC 3500A ? (the disadvantage being obviously the price, but I am willing to pay more for a silent drive (silentium maniaq here :P )).

The A08XLA has several advantages in my opinion:

i. It is a very attractive drive (aesthetically). It is a very good looking bit of hardware

ii. I perfer Pioneer's write strategy implementations on -R media and the hardware's overspeeding ability to a wider range of media

iii. It has the capability of using the custom "Quiet Drive" facility, implemented in firmware

iv. I find the build quality of Pioneer drives to be slightly higher

v. My friend >NIL has recently produced an RPC1/Riplock/nXall hack for the drive

Now. The one major disadvantage I see, if you are this way inclined (which I am NOT), is that there is currently no bitsetting firmware for the A08XLA. The DVR-108 does have a bitsetting capable kernel however.

The NEC drive can bitset, given a different firmware and tool.

Personally, I am content to use no bitsetting and have a drive with slightly superior technology and firmware design.