What is this? PIONEER DVR S201

[siratfus]

I guess if I don't understand why this burner retails for $4000, then this question should be posted here at the newbie section. So I'm dying to know.... What is the difference between this burner and any other $80 burner. It's been annoying the heck outta me because all the ads I've read makes it sound like any other burner. I haven't read an ad that explains why this thing is $4000.

Please advise. I would like to learn something new everyday.

[freestyler]

It's novelties are somewhat dated for some, with the proliferation of dvd recorders available today, but back then it was it was the first recorder to support the "new" 4.7 GB @ 1x speed recordable discs, known as DVD-R For Authoring 2.0, which supplanted the 3.95 GB DVD-R For Authoring 1.0, which were previously only available with the Pioneer S-101 recorder (about $17,000 at it's introduction if I recall correctly - 3.95 GB media only @ 1x speed).

It was marketed at professional authors who wanted the capability to test the playback/functionality of their title on set-top boxes without having to rely on "check discs" coming back from the pressing facility, and THEN finding a problem, thus saving money with regards to final mastering by being able to test on actual dvd players. These recorders utilize a 635 nm laser, as opposed to the 650 nm lasers found in DVD-R general use recorders, which is said to result in the most compatible discs.

Another "beauty" of this device is the fact that it supports CMF, or Cutting Master Format, which is the format pressing facilities hardware uses to manufacture discs. This allows for a premaster to be submitted directly to a facility on dvd-r (a).

Saves money in the long run if you produce(d) a lot of single layer titles as opposed to sending off premasters on DLT.

Bottom line in my view: It is geared post-production / dvd authoring facilities.

I'm lucky to have one and it does the job whenever it's needed.

[siratfus]

Thank you freestyler! You're still speaking a different language, but I get the picture. I'll just leave it for the professionals.

[freestyler]

No problemo. There's also a whitepaper on Pioneer's website with more information if you're interested in checking it out.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/Files/DVDR_whitepaper.pdf

[overloaded_ide]

Oh darn,
When I first saw the title and little popup thingy on the front page for this post I thought this was a new drive just comming to market or something.

Said hot dog, blue ray and grabed for the check book, but then....
The page loaded and I read more.

[freestyler]

Sony's got their hands on bluray, I guess the only thing everyone's lookin to Pioneer for next is dvd-r dual layer