Anyone using a Pioneer 16X DVD?

[Insane3D]

I am thinking of getting one of the slot load models, are they any good? Is there a better one? Thanks in advance...

 

[Bling Bling]

I want to know too.

Insane3D: the Toshiba 1204 is a great drive. It's 12x/40x, and it's considerably cheaper than the Pioneer. However it lacks in DAE, so burning at high speeds on the fly with your new burner (if you bought it) might not be possible. I hope the pioneer has fast DAE. That would rule.

 

[Jumpem]

I'm ordering one. I've heard no complaints, only praises from people that have them. They're not too expensive either, several dealers have them for $115-$130.

 

[Quickfingerz]

I'd wait for the Toshiba 16X drive.

 

[WWDude]

Some have been saying they've been moderately noisey, others say it's nothing to worry about. I'll judge it myself, ordering myself one very soon. My friend says his' isn't making too much noise, just occasionally. Get the slot model (105S), It's really cool, plus you get a digital connector to your sound card (For CD audio).

It's also, I may mention, really easy to RPC1 hack. My bud did it in 10 minutes, no complications.

 

[Odin30]

got one.
Excellent drive
havent noticed any noise?
very fast and works well with my burner
got it for 107 bucks.(bare drive)

 

[sandorski]

I have that drive, but in a tray format. I wanted the slot load, but after waiting over a month for it to come in stock I gave up and ordered the tray. Nice drive no noise problems here.

 

[LocutusX]

DVDs are quiet. CD-R's are noisy.

 

[Bling Bling]

Odin30: which burner do you have?

 

[Origen]

I'm using the Pioneer 105s OEM. I like it alot, it's barely audiable above the noise of my case fans (4 80mm, 1 92mm, 1 60mm, 2 Blue Orbs) when using CDs or DVDs, haven't tried many CD-Rs with it, and haven't done much ripping and such. But in normal use it's been great. There are also hacked firmwares to get RPC-1, but eventually seems every drive gets those and I haven't used the hack yet myself.


Edit for typo

 

[BDawg]

I have the Pioneer 16X tray loader. So far, no complaints. I can get about 12-13X encoding mp3s.

 

[Workin']

I also have the Pioneer 16x tray loader. Works fast, smooth, and quiet. Paid $119 when it first came out, the package I got also included a full version of PowerDVD 2.55. But I don't use it 'cause I have an ATi video card and the ATi player works better. But that's a different topic.

 

[goog]

Another vote for the DVD 105S here. I have one, no problems or complaints so far. The noise people refer to is when you first start it sounds like a mini jet taking off, not a big deal though and typical of high speed drives.

 

[Noriaki]

I have the 104s which is the 10x DVD/40x CD, I imagine the 16x is pretty similar, I find it to be an excellent drive, it's louder than my 8x8x24 Yamaha CDRW, but quieter than my 52x Creative CDROM.

I get DAE speeds of 12-15x, so it's not super speedy, but it's fast enough to use on the fly with my 8x burner.

 

[Edgy]

Have the 16x slot pioneer dvd.

Not very quiet but not overbearingly noisy either (definitely noisier than my plextor cd rw)

Perfectly happy with it... Slot load rocks!

One note of caution : I don't know if it's just me but when the drive is being used, it gets quite hot. If you have barely adequate cooling on your case/pc, then I would suggest cooling upgrade before using this drive.

Gluck.

 

[stingbandel]

I have Pioneer 115, the tray loading and it works great...

Darno

 

[LocutusX]

BTW folks I've tested this drive with 2 DVD's - one was an 8gb RSDL (dual-layer) and the other was a 4gb DSSL (double-sided single layer) and with NEITHER of the discs did I get anything even close to 16x speed. I hit a little over 10x with the 4gb, but the dual-layer disc (it might have been the matrix, can't remember) was slow all through the disc.

Later I learned that most dvd-roms are programmed not to be "fast" on dual-layer discs. Don't know why.

The software I used to test was DVD Speed 99.

 

[Insane3D]

Ok..thanks..just ordered the slot model for $111. What is this RPC! hack? What is RPC1 anyway?

 

[prontospyder]

LocutusX

My Plextor 12X CDRW is quieter than my Pioneer 16X DVD.

 

[Origen]

All current DVD drives being sold are RPC2, meaning you have to specify the region it's being used in, after which you can only view discs from that region. RPC2 drives can have their region changed 5 times, the 5th change being permenant. True RPC1 drives can read any disc from any region.

For more info on DVD Firmware/RPC-1/RPC-2 this is a good site to check:
The firmware page

Edit for typo

 

[Bling Bling]

can you copy on the fly (disc to disc) at 12x with the Pioneer? anyone have experiences?

 

[AMB]

I would get the 105S, it is a really good drive.

I can copy on the fly with my Pioneer 104S at 8x, I guess that doesnt mean much in relation to a 105S and 12x though

 

[tjll11a]

Have had the drive for over a month have had no complaints. Has worked great with my sigma desighns decoder card. PLays on Sony 27inch trintron with s-video great.

 

[Taz4158]

Mine works great.

 

[Paul]

Can it be region unlocked?