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Pioneer DVD-Writer DVR-104 $359.99 (possibly $324)

Can't use the 10% since it's listed as a "Geek Special". The code is DEALHUNTING for the 10% on anything other than Geek Deals.

 
i think it just burns cd-r's and cd-rw's faster...i know for a fact though that it still only burns at 2x dvd.

oh yeah, the a04 can also make use of DMA (the a03 runs in PIO -- PIO 4 according to my system, though it shows Ultra DMA 2 in WinXP). since these suckers do NOT have any sort of buffer underrun protection, I don't use my system anyway while burning dvd's (and I sure as hell don't use it for burning or reading cd's only because i'm being paranoid about it's longevity)

conclusively though, even at $359.99 for the a04 it's a great deal (a03's are mostly the same price anyway)
 


<< looks good. anyone know the diff between this and the A04? >>



104 is OEM. A04 is retail packaging.

At least from what I've gathered in checking around.
 
socal77 - Thanks, but you may want to edit your post and remove the coupon code. Board Moderator tends to frown on that sort of thing. Check the board FAQ and Read Before Posting threads.
 


<< uhm... actually on the geek site it states dats its "new"... not oem, if its oem it would say oem... >>



Jeepers is right. OEM doesn' t mean refurb. OEM just means it doesn't have the retail packaging with all of the extras (software, pretty box, etc.)
 


Since it doesn't come with any, what software would I need with this?

I have the upgraded Nero that handles DVD's, and I also have the PYRO firewire card w/ULead Visual Studio...

I did read an article comparing this with the older model. This is the one to get. It's a 2X DVD-R, can mount horizontal/vertical, burn cd-r's a bit faster... I forget the others BUT IT IS DIFFERENT!
 


<< I did read an article comparing this with the older model. This is the one to get. It's a 2X DVD-R, can mount horizontal/vertical, burn cd-r's a bit faster... I forget the others BUT IT IS DIFFERENT! >>



it is different, lots of bugfixes (like i mentioned the UDMA 'problem' earlier), but if you're just using it to burn dvd-r's there's basically no difference -- though, still, buying the updated a04 now would be the better choice
 
I've been watching out for a DVD-R burner for a loooooong time 🙂

If the question is 'do I jump on THIS drive' then you still have a less than clear answer. DVD-Multi, the spec that covers both +RW and -RW, is supposed to be coming down the pike soon. If you're not in a rush to start writing DVD's, you might want to wait for that. Additionally, the media has dropped as well, and will only continue to do so. By waiting, you get it even cheaper when you do decide to get into the game.

That statement, made generic, applies to ANYTHING when it comes to computer hardware. Of course - the longer you wait, the longer you don't have stuff to play with 🙂

If we're talking 'what DVD-RW writer do I get' - then this is the one. If the DVR-A03 was cheaper (like $150-199) then it'd be a contest. Considering it's price hasn't dropped at all - if you're getting a DVD-R, should be this one.
 
It's definitely OEM. If you read the bottom of the description it says:

DVD-R/RW and/or CD-R/RW Media -- NOT Included
DVD Decoding Software -- NOT Included
DVD & CD Burning Software -- NOT Included

I think you're better off getting the retail version. It'll be much easier to author video with the software that comes with it.
 


<< You can get retail for 379.99 / DVR A04... is the software worth $20 ?!?!? >>



Actually the lowest retail box I can find is around 377 😛
I did a post about that yesterday. I am too lazy to search for my own post so... just search for a04 😛
 
I would love to get a DVD burner, but my big holdout has been on the capture card setup.
So far I have not been really happy with the capture hardware I have tried. What do
you recommend that works well, or would I be better off waiting for standalone systems to
drop (they seem to still be holding at around $900 for the hottest deals)?
 


<< oh yeah, the a04 can also make use of DMA (the a03 runs in PIO -- PIO 4 according to my system, though it shows Ultra DMA 2 in WinXP). since these suckers do NOT have any sort of buffer underrun protection, I don't use my system anyway while burning dvd's (and I sure as hell don't use it for burning or reading cd's only because i'm being paranoid about it's longevity)
>>



Are you sure about that? I have the retail A03 and it says right on the back of my box "Buffer under run FREE for DVD-R/RW disc". That sounds to me like it does have some sort of protection when burning DVD media. As for CD media...well, I have a 16x10 TDK CD-RW, so I'm not worried about it burning CDs.
 
Does anyone know WHAT software comes with the retail version of this drive? I checked Pioneer's site, and they didn't mention any software at all. I found the DVR-104 in a white box configuration for $355 here. "whitebox kit includes: Cyberlink PowerDirector Pro, audio cable, ATA cable, 1-year warranty." Is the Cyberlink software any good? This looks like a good deal on this drive if the software is any good.

Edit: I went to the Cyberlink site and looked at the description of the software- It looks good (of course it does- it's marketing). It is available for download for $119- not cheap. If price is any indication, this white box deal may be HOT!! 😀
 


<<

<< oh yeah, the a04 can also make use of DMA (the a03 runs in PIO -- PIO 4 according to my system, though it shows Ultra DMA 2 in WinXP). since these suckers do NOT have any sort of buffer underrun protection, I don't use my system anyway while burning dvd's (and I sure as hell don't use it for burning or reading cd's only because i'm being paranoid about it's longevity)
>>



Are you sure about that? I have the retail A03 and it says right on the back of my box "Buffer under run FREE for DVD-R/RW disc". That sounds to me like it does have some sort of protection when burning DVD media. As for CD media...well, I have a 16x10 TDK CD-RW, so I'm not worried about it burning CDs.
>>



Straight out of Pioneer's A04 page


<< buffer under-run protection for both CD and DVD recording. >>

 
Leonc, I use Pinnacle System's DV500+ and I love it!

At the time, I bought it for $800. You can find it now for around $500. I'd recommend getting it from BH Audio & Video in NYC. I get all my stuff from there. Get that and this A04 and you'll be in your $900 mark (assuming you have hard drives to support such large files and don't need to spend any more money or storage, RAM, etc.) and it would be a nice setup
 


<< Does anyone know WHAT software comes with the retail version of this drive? I checked Pioneer's site, and they didn't mention any software at all. I found the DVR-104 in a white box configuration for $355 here. "whitebox kit includes: Cyberlink PowerDirector Pro, audio cable, ATA cable, 1-year warranty." Is the Cyberlink software any good? This looks like a good deal on this drive if the software is any good.

Edit: I went to the Cyberlink site and looked at the description of the software- It looks good (of course it does- it's marketing). It is available for download for $119- not cheap. If price is any indication, this white box deal may be HOT!! 😀
>>



Retail Box for 377 Here at Jazz Technology
And the retail box includes:
One DVD-RW
One DVD-R
Sonic MyDVD 3.1 ( I think this is SE version upgradable to full)
Veritas Primo DVD
Cyberlink PowerDVD

 
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