Pioneer BDR-101A Specifications? and BD-Rom question

[tommyoz]

Does anyone know if this burner supports BD DL recording. I am assuming it does because why wouldn't it. I have searched and read just about every single spec sheet I can find on this drive and none of them actually says it does. Other burners like the Panasonic SW-5582 clearly states that it does.

Also, why does Pioneer make a big deal that it reads BD-Rom when all the other drives do as well?

[tommyoz]

I know this is quite new but does anyone have any idea?

[-jsl-]

No it only burns SL BD-R/RE.

[Mrsash]

Currently I am backing up my movies VCD format on dvd. Will I be able to do this with the new players?
thanks

[ROF]

Does anyone know if this burner supports BD DL recording. I am assuming it does because why wouldn't it. I have searched and read just about every single spec sheet I can find on this drive and none of them actually says it does. Other burners like the Panasonic SW-5582 clearly states that it does.

Also, why does Pioneer make a big deal that it reads BD-Rom when all the other drives do as well?

The Pioneer BDR101a is a single layer burner with a maximum capacity of 25GB. It is one of the first drives manufactured to BD specs. The Panasonic SW-5582 will write single or two layer discs with a maximum capacity of 50GB. The current Blu-Ray spec can support up to 8 layers for a total capacity of 200GB.

My Opinion: Unless you have money to waste I'd steer clear of these device until at least quad layer drives become available. That should be enough time for manufacturers to work alot of the issues out and also allow the market for Blu-ray to grow. At that time you will probably see a marketing ploy in order to finish off the HD-DVD spec. This marketing ploy will result in significantly reduced pricings of both drives and media. Pioneer will do anything to make their products sound like it does more than the competition. How else do you expect them to justify ripping you off by charging you more for something inferior? They've been at that game for years. They do make some very fine products and I mostly have no complaints using them except for the price you pay.

[-jsl-]

The current Blu-Ray spec can support up to 8 layers for a total capacity of 200GB.

Specs only support 2 layers as of now. >2 layers have just been showed as prototypes and it will take years before it makes it to the official specs, if at all...

[tommyoz]

No it only burns SL BD-R/RE.

Yea I actually found another site with those specs only.

My Opinion: Unless you have money to waste I'd steer clear of these device until at least quad layer drives become available. That should be enough time for manufacturers to work alot of the issues out and also allow the market for Blu-ray to grow. At that time you will probably see a marketing ploy in order to finish off the HD-DVD spec. This marketing ploy will result in significantly reduced pricings of both drives and media. Pioneer will do anything to make their products sound like it does more than the competition. How else do you expect them to justify ripping you off by charging you more for something inferior? They've been at that game for years. They do make some very fine products and I mostly have no complaints using them except for the price you pay.

Agreed, just doing some preliminary research.

Specs only support 2 layers as of now. >2 layers have just been showed as prototypes and it will take years before it makes it to the official specs, if at all...

Yes, at some point you have to go with whatever makes you comfortable. If you wait for the best you'll be waiting forever.