Pioneer DVR-A07 at Fry's Electronics, Already Out?

[Synergy]

I saw the retail boxes of the Pioneer DVR-A07 on the shelf at the Anaheim store of Fry's Electronics tonight, the price is $229.99. Don't know if this is a store mistake or it's finally ready for sale, but looks like the retail channels have received the new model. Pioneer has said that they will sell the A07 after the DVD Forum's approval of the 8X DVD-R standard.

[lordsmurf]

You sure it wasn't an external A06 and you misread? That's the price of an external A06 last I saw.

[Synergy]

Looks like I wasn't the only one who saw the A07 at the same store, except that the other poster's price quote was wrong:

http://forum.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82622&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

[gcutler]

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/elegantshopping1/pioneerdvr107.html

$199, avail Jan 15th?

[Bodysurf]

You sure it wasn't an external A06 and you misread? That's the price of an external A06 last I saw.

I just went down to Fry's and purchased one. It's a Pioneer DVR-A07.

[kayl]

Yup.. I bought one last night too. $229.99

[lordsmurf]

Cool. So you get any 8x media? Or does it allow 8x on a 4x disc? What's the benefit of having the drive now?

[Bodysurf]

Cool. So you get any 8x media?

Not yet.

Or does it allow 8x on a 4x disc?

I don't know. We are talking about a drive that is so new that the only reports I've found on the Internet show it being sold so far only at a Fry's in Anaheim, California.

What's the benefit of having the drive now?

It can write to 8X DVD+R media, which is available now. And it will be able to write to 8X DVD-R media, which will be available and no other currently available DVD-burner is, AFAIK, able to do except perhaps the NEC ND-2500A. It's a Pioneer so it will have guaranteed compatibility and I'm sure RPC1 firmware real soon.

Finally, I have someone that needs a system put together for them. I'm sure my old 4X DVD burner would work great in there.

Also, I have seen this drive being priced at $350, although the OEM version is much less.

[northernstar]

Anyone know of a release date for the UK yet?

[LanEvo7]

Is it really 8x or is it 6x->8x? Does it burn 8x on the current G04s?

[Bodysurf]

Is it really 8x or is it 6x->8x?

According to the DVR-A07 manual, it burns 8X Z-CLV on DVD+R, which means it starts at 6X and ends up at 8X towards the outer edge of the DVD-R, just like current 8X DVD+R burners do. And it does look like, according to the manual, it will burn a steady 6X CLV using 8X media.

Does it burn 8x on the current G04s?

I haven't tested that out yet, but I doubt it will unless you use a custom firmware -- and there isn't any out now AFAIK.

I'm just hoping we'll be able to do dual-layer burning with this puppy via a firmware update .

[SimonBirchNYC]

An article on cdfreaks stated that Pioneer was showing off a A06 that burned a dual layer disk, requiring only a firmware update. I can only hope that it is truly possible, as that would mean I can go ahead and buy the A07 instead of waiting for dual layer burners. On a side note, nice to see Ritek (RiData) entering the dvd writer market with their own 8x drive. Now, if they're smart, they'll make it burn their 4x media at 8x. I'd buy it for sure as Ritek (4x) is the only media I use right now.

[ClayBuster]

Is it really 8x or is it 6x->8x? Does it burn 8x on the current G04s?

I just picked one up at CompUSA and 4x max on the G04's and the 4x TYG01 Fujifilms.

I guess since I have around 200 of these blanks on hand that will last me the next couple years I am going to return the A07 and stick with my A06 for a while.

[Synergy]

If the TY 4X DVD-R can only reach 4X burn speed, looks like there won't be any 4X discs which can be burned at 8X under the current version of A07 firmware. The NEC ND-2500A is getting more and more attractive than the A07 especially with such a significant price difference.

[Synergy]

It has been confirmed by quite a few owners that the A07 doesn't support 8X burning for any 4X +/-R media under the current firmware, so paying $100 premium just to burn 4X doesn't seem like a good idea at this moment. This probably explains why Pioneer wanted to introduce it after 8X DVD-R's official approval.

[sox2112]

will there ever be a firmware release that lets people burn 8x on 4x +/- media, because i just ordered one. also is there any 8x media out yet?

[ViRaL1]

Maybe I missed something, the drive doesn't even come with any 8x media in the box? Not even a single lousy +R disc? I was hoping to pick one up for when CompUSA is doing their 10% off promo, but if you have to go out and buy your own 8x media just to try it out, it doesn't sound as sweet.

[Grenadyr]

The A07 retail pack comes with a 12 page manual and a single disc containing; DVD Movie Factory 3 SE, Videostudio 7 SE DVD, Photo Explorer 8 SE, My Scrapbook 2, Burn.Now, and "DVD Player". That's it, no blanks and no other goodies.

FWIW I bought the A07 fully aware it would not burn 8x on 4x media. 8x media will come out soon enough and will supplant all the 4x media in due time. The solid reputation of the A06 and the fact that the construction of the unit could be pushed beyond its initial design parameters are what sold me on the A07. I look forward to seeing what tricks may be up Pioneer's sleeve in the future for the A07.

BTW, I've burnt about 10 4x -/+R's since I got the unit using Nero Ultra Edition without a single coaster so far.

[will_sickly_33+]

The AO7 seems to have already made it's entry over here in the UK, and suprisingly (and perhaps due to the all-time low of the dollar) appears to be cheaper for us Brit's than for our US friends.
I've seen it this week for £115.00 (OEM) which is circa. $208 (this would have been $162 six months ago!)
Sorry, there's no point to my thread
Bill

[franco]

If the TY 4X DVD-R can only reach 4X burn speed, looks like there won't be any 4X discs which can be burned at 8X under the current version of A07 firmware. The NEC ND-2500A is getting more and more attractive than the A07 especially with such a significant price difference.

I've noticed the cheaper price of the NEC ND-2500A. I'm trying to understand why most people seem to be raving about the Pioneer A06 over the NEC, but I can't yet find a good reason. What are the other issues that make people favour the Pioneer?

I'm sure I read someone who had the NED burned at 8x speed to a 4xdvd-r disc.

[Tidy]

I think the reason why people rave about the A06/106D is because it is far superior in getting good burns on bad discs.

[leebo]

The Electronic mailbox (videoguys.com) is selling this drive for $179, and Pioneer has a $30 rebate.

[richdvd]

An article on cdfreaks stated that Pioneer was showing off a A06
that burned a dual layer disk, requiring only a firmware update.

Can you post the link to this article?

[Tidy]

I saw the same thing and Pioneer will tell you (or at least they told me) that it appears that the 106d is going to be one of the drives with a DVD-9 firmware upgrade. I think the demo was done at the most recent CES. I will keep looking for the article. I originally found it by doing a google search for "pioneer 106d dvd-9" without the quotes then i had to read through every result that looked like it might pertain if I remember correctly it was on the seond or third page.