Pioneer DVR-A06 DVD±RW recorder

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. CD Reading Tests
3. CD Error Correction Tests
4. DVD Reading Tests
5. DVD Error Correction Tests
6. Data Protected Disc Tests
7. DAE Tests
8. CD Recording Tests
9. CD-R Writing Quality Tests
10. Re-Writing Tests
11. DVD Recording Tests
12. KProbe PI/PO measurements
13. Conclusion

Pioneer DVR-A06 DVD±RW recorder - Page 13

Conclusion

Pros

Cons

Fast 4x DVD±R writing
16/10/32 CD-RW
Adequate CD seek times
Fast CD-R/RW/DVD-ROM/DVD±R/RW reading
Accurate reading of defected / scratched CD-R/DVD-ROM media
32X DAE
Supports Cactus Data Shield 200 audio protection
Low CD-R jitter
Good CD / DVD writing quality
High compatibility of recorded DVD media
Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)
Supports 99min audio discs

Slow reader of protected data discs
Creates partially working SafeDisc v.2 backups
DVD Seek times could be lower
DVD ripping speed could be higher
Does not support Key2Audio audio protection

The supported 4x DVD�R writing speed allows recording of a 4.4GB file in approximately 15min. The drive burned the most popular media of the market (Pioneer, Verbatim, Ritek, TDK, Maxell) at the maximum speed. Quality measurements for these discs were done with the contribution of the LiteON KProbe software. The results indicate that the average PI/PO error rate on the recorded discs is low for both formats.

The important issue, however, is the compatibility of the produced discs with the DVD players of the market. For this reason we checked the recorded discs (DVD Video) in a number of stand alone players. The results were very good and the playback compatibility was almost 100% for both DVD formats on all players we tested.

Pioneer DVR-A06 supports the 12x CAV DVD-ROM reading speed, which is high enough for your reading tasks, although the seek times could be improved. The drive is also a fast reader (6x CAV) on dual-layer DVD-ROM and DVD�R discs.

The reading accuracy is high and this is confirmed by the performance when using the ABEX scratched / defected DVD-ROM media, which were accurately read with no read errors reported. On the weak characteristics of the drive we could attribute the relatively slow DVD ripping speed, behavior familiar to all of us from the previous Pioneer DVD burners.

Pioneer DVR-A06 is also a reliable 16/10/32 CD recorder, providing fast reading, low seek times, and 32x DAE speed. The implemented CLV writing strategy for all the supported burning speeds offer competitive recording times, good writing quality, while low jitter was introduced on all CD-R media we tested.

Audio protected discs are partially supported, as the drive is able to read the Cactus Data Shield 200 discs but seems weak when it comes to Key2Audio protection. On the plus side is the fact that the drive supports reading of 99min discs.

Pioneer DVR-A06 is not the faster drive available if you ask for fast image creation of data protected discs. Gamers will also not be satisfied by the lack of the drive's ability to create working backups of the latest SafeDisc v.2 protected titles, at least with no support from a dedicated software.

Pioneer DVR-A06 is possibly the most consistent and powerful dual burner currently in the market today. The drive delivered top performance in most of the benchmarks and strengtheners the company's position in the optical storage market. Pioneer continues its tradition of producing quality DVD burners. The retail package is available in the market at an estimated "e-street" price of $240-250.