Pioneer 109 versus NEC 3250

[ann coates]

I'm about to purchase a DVD writer and after some research I have now narrowed it down to these two models. Any thoughts or comparisons? Pluses or minuses of each model? Better yet, has anyone used both and can offer any opinions on which might be a better choice and why?

[Poppa_Meth]

I have both. the 109 is good for everything except 16x pure CAV media such as TYG03s. It tends to lock up during leadout on this type of media. Pioneer has made no effort thus far to fix the problem and with the 110 hitting stores they likely never will.

The 3520 is also a good burner all around. It tends to favor +R media but does fine on -R as well. I've personally had a few problems with leadins on the same kind of media the 109 has issues with but I think that may be a software problem in this case. Overall the NEC tend to give better results on +R while the 109 gives better burns on -R, when it burns correctly.

[ann coates]

Thanks very much for your response. Anyone know if the CAV issue is also apparent in the new 110? The 110 doesn't seem to have changed much at all from the 109 so I'm not big on the idea of spending more for it.

[Poppa_Meth]

I haven't been keeping up with it as much in a while now. Check out the Pioneer forum on cdfreaks.com for your best info.

[ann coates]

I will do that, thanks!

[steven2874]

I wouldn't purchase either one. A better choice would be between the NEC 3540 and the Pioneer DVR-110D. I've had the new Pioneer for a few days now and think it's a great writer. I wanted good writing quality on quality media (TY) and the capability to import DVD-RAM for editing and burning to DVD-R.
Your needs and priorities may be different but at less than 60 Bucks delivered to your door you can hardly go wrong with either.
Good Luck!

[ann coates]

Thanks for your input, Steven. I'll definitely have a look at them.

[Poppa_Meth]

Any idea if the 110 handles TYG03s and other 16x pure CAV disc okay, unlike the 109?

[steven2874]

Any idea if the 110 handles TYG03s and other 16x pure CAV disc okay, unlike the 109?

I have not tried TYG03 yet.
Have you seen this:
http://pioneeraus.com.au.us.server-fast.com/media/downloads/DVR110D_Media_List.pdf

[-jsl-]

Have you seen this:
http://pioneeraus.com.au.us.server-fast.com/media/downloads/DVR110D_Media_List.pdf

Only 5 DVD-R MIDs and 5 DVD+Rs MIDs supported at 16x. Also only one 8x DVD+RW MID supported at 8x.
No wonder media manufacturers start using fake media codes when there are drive manufacturers such as Pioneer around...

[ann coates]

Anyone know if the NEC 3540 can read DVD RAM? On newegg it doesnt list that it can, but it also doesnt list it for the Pioneer 110 either but I assume it can considering Steven's post?

[steven2874]

Anyone know if the NEC 3540 can read DVD RAM? On newegg it doesnt list that it can, but it also doesnt list it for the Pioneer 110 either but I assume it can considering Steven's post?

The PIONEER does, the NEC does not.
Keep in mind that this model does not WRITE DVD-RAM. This is rumoured for a future model or perhaps a firmware upgrade.

[steven2874]

Have you seen this:
http://pioneeraus.com.au.us.server-fast.com/media/downloads/DVR110D_Media_List.pdf

Only 5 DVD-R MIDs and 5 DVD+Rs MIDs supported at 16x. Also only one 8x DVD+RW MID supported at 8x.
No wonder media manufacturers start using fake media codes when there are drive manufacturers such as Pioneer around...

I think Pioneer's thinking is to support 16X writing on quality media.
8X DVD+RW Media is only recently introduced.

[ann coates]

The PIONEER does, the NEC does not.
Keep in mind that this model does not WRITE DVD-RAM. This is rumoured for a future model or perhaps a firmware upgrade.

Thanks Steven. I'm going to go with the Pioneer 110D.

[steven2874]

The PIONEER does, the NEC does not.
Keep in mind that this model does not WRITE DVD-RAM. This is rumoured for a future model or perhaps a firmware upgrade.

Thanks Steven. I'm going to go with the Pioneer 110D.

Good luck, Ann! Let us know how you like the writer.

[Bodysurf]

Only 5 DVD-R MIDs and 5 DVD+Rs MIDs supported at 16x.

The "First Class Media" in Sony, Maxell, Taiyo-Yuden, TDK and MCC are supported. Do you think it is mere coincidence these media codes match exactly with those found on NoMoreCoasters? Why use anything else?

If they supported crap like 16X CMC or InfoSmart and someone's brand new DVR-110D started shooting out coasters, why should Pioneer have to fend a bunch of phone calls from disgruntled customers because of crap media? Do you think the average Joe would complain to CMC or to Pioneer?

Also only one 8x DVD+RW MID supported at 8x.

How many different QUALITY 8X DVD+RW media makers are there?

[Poppa_Meth]

The thing about the 109 is that TYG03s are indeed on their supported media list. So are the verbatims that many people have the same issues with. Not the best support if it's buggy. Besides it's not the media in that case but the drive itself. I'm assuming the 109 must have a hardware problem. If it was firmware I would think they'd have fixed it by this point. Regardless, I'm not planning on buying another Pioneer again. Not because they are bad drives, but because when there is a problem they aren't willing to do anything about it.