Melsele – Belgium, 19th November 2007: Pioneer Europe today announces the availability of three new DVD writers. The DVR-115D is a dual-format ATAPI DVD writer (writing to DVD-R/+R, DVD-RW/+RW and CD-R/RW media). Also available are two SATA drives: the DVR-215D writes to an identical range of media as the DVR-115D while the DVR-215 is a multi-format unit that adds DVD-RAM writing capabilities. All models offer read-support for DVD-RAM discs and the ability to write at 20X speed on DVD-R/+R discs. They include Pioneer’s original technologies to enhance reading and writing performance and are available in three colours – beige, black and silver.

The writers offer systems builders and consumers flexibility paired with performance. For instance, the range of colours makes it easy to colour-match a drive to existing PC set-ups. With dual and multi-format options, a wide range of media is supported and, with the option of SATA connectivity, end-users can benefit from enhanced installation (with full plug and play capabilities and 100 per cent software compatibility) and accelerated data transfer rates of up to 1.5 gigabits/sec. Also, with the high-end write speed of up to 20X on DVD-R and +R discs, users can fill a 4.7GB disc with data in around five minutes. And the 10X write speed for Dual/Double Layer DVD-R/+R discs means consumers can write four hours of standard footage or two hours of high-quality footage to a Dual/Double Layer disc in about 15 minutes.

‘The new models integrate Pioneer’s original technologies to ensure optimum read/write quality and enhance the user’s experience. For example, if watching a movie or listening to music, the writers will automatically reduce the disc rotation speed to ensure that operational noise is unnoticeable,’ says Chris Tampsett, Sales Director, Pioneer Europe Multimedia Division. ‘With high performance and a highly competitive price, complemented by the Pioneer brand which provides the surety of reliability, the writers represent a no-compromise and sensible purchase from both technical and commercial perspectives.’

Formats and write speeds

All models include the following key write specifications: 20X speed on DVD-R and +R, 10X on DVD-R DL and +R DL, 6X on DVD-RW and 8X on +RW while CD-R and CD-RW media are catered for at 40X and 32X speeds respectively. In addition, the DVR-215 multi-format writer also writes at 12X speed to DVD-RAM media. The high write speed of 20X for DVD-R and +R discs is achieved through the adoption of the CAV recording system, while Pioneer’s proprietary technologies ensure the disc has been recorded accurately and efficiently.

The new writers retain Pioneer’s Disc-Resonance Stabiliser technology. This controls the airflow generated by disc rotation in order to minimise disc warping, which can occur when media rotates at high speed. As well as ‘Buffer Under Run’ protection technology for DVD and CD, writing performance is further advanced by key innovations including:

• A Multi-Effect Liquid Crystal Tilt Compensator: it operates at high speed – even on Dual Layer/Double Layer media types – to ensure precise writing to the disc by automatically compensating for discs that are warped or of uneven thickness.
• An Ultra Dynamic Resonance Absorber: this reduces the instability and vibrations caused by imbalanced or damaged media, maintaining the integrity of the recording and playback performance.
• Performance Adjusting Firmware: this optimises the disc’s rotation speed depending on the user’s application – for example, if watching a movie or listening to music, the disc velocity is reduced keeping background noise to a minimum.

Range line-up

• DVR-115D: ATAPI, dual format, beige
• DVR-115DBK: ATAPI, dual format, black
• DVR-115DSV: ATAPI, dual format, silver
• DVR-215: SATA, multi format, beige
• DVR-215BK: SATA, multi format, black
• DVR-215SV: SATA, multi format, silver
• DVR-215D: SATA, dual format, beige
• DVR-215DBK: SATA, dual format, black
• DVR-215DSV: SATA, dual format, silver

The writers are available now on an OEM basis in PCs and can also be purchased from Pioneer’s distribution network.

About Pioneer

Pioneer Corporation is one of the leading manufacturers of consumer and business electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics on a global scale. Its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Source: Pioneer press-release