Is Pioneer DVR-109 a good burner?

[hot-m3d1c]

is Pioneer DVR-109 a good dvd-burner?
anyone had any problems with it? any coasters anything specific i need to know?

I'm planning to buy 5 of these for my dvd-duplicating station, so I need some advice before I buy. (I need it specifically for dvd-ram function, and dual layer)
Also , If anyone has (new or close to new, let me know) .. also suggest me a place where to get them cheap.

[audit13]

is Pioneer DVR-109 a good dvd-burner?
anyone had any problems with it? any coasters anything specific i need to know?

I'm planning to buy 5 of these for my dvd-duplicating station, so I need some advice before I buy. (I need it specifically for dvd-ram function, and dual layer)
Also , If anyone has (new or close to new, let me know) .. also suggest me a place where to get them cheap.

I don't think the 109 supports dvd-ram but it does support double layer. You may want to look at the LG 4163b for dvd-ram support.

[jasonl33]

one of the better ones and the price is just right. Eitehr this of the LG 4163. Those are the ones in my tower at the moment. No problems at all! A friend did experience a problem wit the 109, but Pioneer RMAed it withing 5 days. So, great service and a great toy.

[hot-m3d1c]

I don't think the 109 supports dvd-ram but it does support double layer. You may want to look at the LG 4163b for dvd-ram support.
are you sure that 109 doesn't support dvd-ram?
can anyone else confirm this?

[bigred-9]

are you sure that 109 doesn't support dvd-ram?
can anyone else confirm this?

Everything but RAM

[hot-m3d1c]

Everything but RAM
it seems this website is lying
http://canadacomputers.com/cc/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=006516&cid=CR.184

[audit13]

Here's a link to a review of the Pioneer A09 (retail version of 109):

http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=260&page=Features

The drive will read dvd-ram but it won't write to dvd-ram. Sorry about the confusion.

[Traian2003]

I would get the ones with Lightscribe technology if I were to upgrade. Nice labeling system, instead of going with inkjets.

[duckdown]

I've still got my DVR-108 and I loved it..

[Txiasaeia]

I've had the 109 for about a month and haven't had a single problem with it. It's a bit slower on the initial read than my Liteon 24x10x40x CDRW, but otherwise it's an absolute joy to use.

[The Digital Dolphin]

I would get the ones with Lightscribe technology if I were to upgrade. Nice labeling system, instead of going with inkjets.

I wouldn't call Lightscribe a nice labelling system... I'd call it a last ditch attempt to get people to pay more of an old technology by adding a lame "added value" controlled basically by a monopoly of companies, who charge way too much of a premium for compatible media.

But some might consider that better then inkjet, which is cheap, nicer looking, more easily available, longer lasting, and colour instead of black and white-ish monochrome.

[The Digital Dolphin]

i heard some people having problems with the Pioneer DVR109 lately, i cant say personally as i dont own one, im just saying.

i myself recommend the NEC 3520. It doesnt support DVD-RAM either tho.

I'm not impressed with it personally. They've done almost no work on the media support end, and the DVR-108 is still far superior when it comes to compatibility with media that is not top end.

Now if ALL you want to do is burn TYG03 media at 16x, then it's probably the best burner on the market!

[Webslinger]

I would get the ones with Lightscribe technology if I were to upgrade. Nice labeling system, instead of going with inkjets.

Sure, if you don't mind waiting for close to a half-hour per disc (with first-gen lightscribers), and, of course, paying through the nose for compatible media.

and colour instead of black and white-ish monochrome

Colour lightscribe media was in development (I don't know if it still is; I've heard companies are more interested now in developing Blu-ray Disc/HD DVD technology, and since lightscribe technology has not been catching on with consumers due to high media costs . . . ), but I'm not holding my breath.

[deep]

I wouldn't call Lightscribe a nice labelling system... I'd call it a last ditch attempt to get people to pay more of an old technology by adding a lame "added value" controlled basically by a monopoly of companies, who charge way too much of a premium for compatible media.

Stop pulling your punches....tell us what you really think. ;)

Yes, the 109 will not do what you want. The 4163 sells for $69 and has never let me down yet. I use a lot of DVD-RAM with my set top DVD recorder, so it's essential for me, too.

[ds2chan]

I have the lg 4163b.. if I try to make multiple backups (say 5 in a row & single layer) it seems to make coasters out of the last one or two. if I try to make another copy of the one that bombed the writer will do the same. if I wait a while before making another copy it will be fine. thus, I'm guessing the writer overheats.

not such a huge deal for me since I'm not pumping out the discs like you will be (well, it seems that's what you want to do)..

also, I find that the drive reads discs slower than my dvd drive (pioneer) that I bought like 5 years ago..

but in the end it's not a bad drive.. is anybody else having the same problems that I am having??

[Webslinger]

thus, I'm guessing the writer overheats.

It's possible your system doesn't have good ventilation--or it's possible your drive is defective. You may wish to ensure your drive is being powered directly from your power supply--so that's not being shared with another device (i.e. don't have two molex connections on the same line). Also, overheating can be a sign of an inadequate powersupply. You may also want to check if you're slaving the drive to another device on the same channel and that you have DMA enabled for your drive (these last two normally just affect slow data transfers though).

also, I find that the drive reads discs slower than my dvd drive (pioneer) that I bought like 5 years ago.

The LG is not a fast ripper (riplock for DVD-Video . . . I think it's locked at 8x); that's probably normal. If you don't mind potentially voiding your warranty (and wrecking your drive), there's probably a hacked firmware out there that removes this limitation (but I'm not positive).

[ds2chan]

It's possible your system doesn't have good ventilation--or it's possible your drive is defective. You may wish to ensure your drive is being powered directly from your power supply--so that's not being shared with another device (i.e. don't have two molex connections on the same line). Also, overheating can be a sign of an inadequate powersupply. You may also want to check if you're slaving the drive to another device on the same channel and that you have DMA enabled for your drive (these last two normally just affect slow data transfers though).

I think my drive is ok. I can make backups no problem if I do them in batches of 3. Maybe I don't have enough ventilation.. my power supply should be good.. it's 300w (or is it 350?? I can't remember which).. I'm not sure what a molex connection is but the drive is being powered directly from my power supply..

maybe I didn't explain the problem I am having correctly.. the whole dvd will finish burning.. it's just that when I pop it into a player, the disc cannot be read near the end.. that is, if I backup a dvd of some episodes (eg one of the discs from season 1 of Baywatch) I cannot play the last episode..

The LG is not a fast ripper (riplock for DVD-Video . . . I think it's locked at 8x); that's probably normal. If you don't mind potentially voiding your warranty (and your drive), there's probably a hacked firmware out there that removes this limitation (but I'm not positive).

I'd rather not.. =P but thanks for the tip..

[Webslinger]

I'm not sure what a molex connection is but the drive is being powered directly from my power supply..

I'm just referring to the power connector going to your drive. Some wires have two molex connections on the same line (you can power two devices on the same wire; I suggest just powering your burner alone and see if that helps).

maybe I didn't explain the problem I am having correctly.. the whole dvd will finish burning.. it's just that when I pop it into a player, the disc cannot be read near the end.. that is, if I backup a dvd of some episodes (eg one of the discs from season 1 of Baywatch) I cannot play the last episode..


A bad burn . . .
Try using different/better media. It's entirely possible you're just running into a few crappy discs within the spindle you bought.

Depending on the media type, try writing at a lower speed. There are some jitter issues when writing to media at 16x with the LG4163b, and some dvd players are more forgiving than others during playback . . .