Pioneer DVR-A05

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Data Reading Tests
3. CD Error Correction Tests
4. DVD Error Correction Tests
5. CloneCD Reading Tests
6. DVD Reading Tests
7. DAE Tests
8. Conclusion
9. CDR Tests
10. RW/Packet Writing Tests
11. DVD Recording Tests

Pioneer DVR-A05 IDE DVD-R/-RW - Page 11

Conclusion

Positive (+)

Negative (-)

- Supports 4X DVD-R, 2X DVD-RW writing speeds
- Supports "Buffer underrun protection" technology for CD/DVD formats
- Can read DVD+R/+RW discs
- Excellent DVD error correction/reading quality
- Good DAE reading speed (for DVD recorder)
- Good CD-R writing quality
- Can handle CD200 protected audio discs
- 32X CD-R/RW reading speed
- Supports reading of SubChannel data
- Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)
- Suports overburning up to 99mins
- Complete retail package

- Average CD error correction capabilities
- C2 error information is present but with low accuracy
- Poor CloneCD reader
- Cannot handle Key2Audio protected audio discs
- Bad DAE quality with dusted/scratched CDR media
- Low DVD ripping performance (locked at 2X)
- Even supports DAO-RAW cannot backup protected discs
- Drives supporting both DVD±RW recording formats already sold...

The new Pioneer DVR-A05 is definately improved over the previous A04 series. It supports the ,currently, faster DVD recording speeds (4X DVD-R and 2X DVD-RW). This means that you can write up to 4.7GB in less than 15 minutes, with 4X media. The DVD-RW writing speed is also improved over the previous Pioneer model, and reaches the 2X High Speed writing standard. Currently, not many DVD-R/-RW media manufacturers support the new 4X / 2X recording speeds, but it is expected that the media list will be longer, soon.

In the reading part, the drive is also fast and supports 12X CAV speed for the DVD-ROM, while the access times are also adequate. What is interesting is the drive's high performance in the DVD error correction tests with the ABEX discs. No errors occurred in the reading process with single and dual layer media. In addition, the drive is able to read DVD+R/+RW discs. In the weak points, we could mention the average DVD ripping speed which is less than 2760 KB/sec.

For the CD format, the drive offers 16X CD-R recording speed, 8X rewriting and 32X reading. The DAE speed is also 32X, reading of Subchannel data and CD-Text is available, and the CD-R writing quality is high. On the other hand, we consider the lack of the DAO RAW writing mode as a negative point, among with the average error correction capabilities for the CD-R, and the disability to handle "Key2Audio" protected discs.

The Pioneer DVR-A05 left us with a positive overall impression mainly comes to fulfil the need for fast DVD recording. The suggested retail price of the drive is expected to be around €349. Currently Sony's DRU-500A supporting both DVD±RW recording is being sold for the same price range. Several users have reported DRU-500A's DVD-R media compatibility problems and indrustry rumours said that a new hardware is needed to eliminate them. Pioneer followed a rather strict media compatibility for the 4X DVD-R speed, that however ensures safe recording...