Pioneer BDR-202 Blu-ray Burner Mini Review


Review: Pioneer BDR-202
Reviewed by: Dee-27
Provided by: Pioneer Europe NV
Firmware: 1.04
Manufactured: May 2007

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Pioneer was kind enough to send us the BDR-202 Blu-ray writer for review. The drive supports Blu-ray writing and reading, in addition, this drive also supports DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM and CD-R/RW writing.

It’s always exciting to get hold of a new piece of technology, especially when the leap in technology is so far reaching as Blu-ray offers, with much improved storage capacity, the possibility of being able to watch movies in Hi Definition, bringing a completely new viewing experience.

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In this review we will be testing out the latest Blu-ray burner the BDR-202 from Pioneer, one of the world’s most respected electronics manufacturers.

The Pioneer BDR-202 supports 4x BD-R, 2x BD-RE, 12x DVD±R, 6x DVD+RW/-RW, and 4x DVD+R DL/-R DL writing technology, allowing Blu-ray discs of 25GB and DVD Double/Dual Layer discs of 8.5Gb to be written. In addition, the Pioneer BDR-202 also supports DVD-RAM reading and writing at 5x.

Company Information

We are sure that most of you know Pioneer already, but let us take a look at some of the company information found at: http://www.pioneer.eu/

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Pioneer Corporation is a global leader in electronics and audio/video products for the home, car, commerce and industry, particularly in the following core multimedia technologies – digital versatile disc (DVD), plasma display panels (PDP) and in-car navigation and A/V systems.

Founded in 1938 as a manufacturer of audio products and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Pioneer has more than 39,000 employees worldwide. Its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The company’s track record for developing class-leading technologies has consistently attracted industry acclaim. And its continued focus on innovation remains at the heart of its drive to shape the future of its core consumer electronics markets.

Pioneer world firsts include:

·         Separate stereo system, 1962

·         Component car stereo, 1975 

·         GPS car navigation, 1990

·         DVD/LD/CD compatible player, 1996

·         Plasma display technology, 1997

·         DVD recorder compatible with DVD-RW, 1999

·         DVD player for professional DJs and VJs, 2004

Pioneer is focused on four key business objectives to be achieved by 2006:

  • To be the global leader in the DVD industry
  • To build firm foundations for next generation displays
  • To develop and strengthen its network-related product line
  • To expand into key devices and key technology businesses

Sound. Vision. Soul

Pioneer’s ethos of ‘Sound.Vision.Soul’ is at the heart of every aspect of its business.  With the world of entertainment developing faster than ever, Pioneer’s aim is to provide visionary products with the ultimate in sound and audio performance, combined with convenience and flexibility to encompass the soul quality of its business and provide the definitive entertainment experience.

Drive Specifications


We found the specifications of the Pioneer BDR-202 at the Pioneer website

Key features

BDR-202

 

Writes and reads BD-R/RE/ROM, DVD-R/RW/RAM/ROM, +R/RW and CD-R/RW/ROM formats.

 

Buffer under-run protection for BD/DVD/CD

 

·  Max. 4X writing speed for BD-R (Single Layer)*

·  Max. 2X writing speed for BD-RE (Single Layer)

·  Max. 5X reading speed for BD-ROM/R/RE (Single Layer)

·  Max. 2X reading speed for BD-ROM (Dual Layer)

·  Max. 12X writing speed for DVD-R/+R

·  Max. 4X writing speed for DVD-R DL/+R DL (Dual / Double Layer)

·  Max. 6X writing speed for DVD-RW/+RW

·  Max. 5X writing speed for DVD-RAM

·  Max. 24X writing speed for CD-R/RW

* This specification is only for certain discs.

 

·  BD data capacity: 25GB Single Layer disc

·  DVD data capacity: 4.7GB Single Layer disc, 8.5GB Dual/Double Layer disc

·  CD data capacity: 650MB / 700MB (12cm disc), 210MB (8cm disc)

 

Software bundle included – CyberLink BD Solution

Specifications

BDR-202

Write Support

·  BD-R (Ver 1.1 Single Layer)

·  BD-RE (Ver 2.1 Single Layer)

·  DVD-R (Ver 2.0 for General)

·  DVD-R DL (Dual Layer, Ver 3.0)

·  DVD-RW (Ver 1.0, 1.1 & 1.2)

·  +R (Ver 1.3)

·  +R DL (Double Layer, Ver 1.0)

·  +RW (Ver 1.3 and High Speed Ver 1.0)

·  DVD-RAM (Ver.2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 [Class0])

·  CD-R (Type74 - 650MB & Type80 - 700MB)

·  CD-RW (Normal, HS, US & US+ (supports AM2))

Read Support

·  BD-ROM (Ver 1.3 Single & Dual Layer)*

·  BD-R (Ver 1.1 Single Layer)

·  BD-RE (Ver 2.1 Single Layer)

·  BD-ROM (BD9)

·  DVD-ROM (Single & Dual Layer, Single & Dual Sided)

·  DVD-Video (Single & Dual Layer)

·  DVD-R (Ver 1.0 & 2.0 for Authoring)

·  DVD-R (Ver.2.0 for General)

·  DVD-R DL (Dual Layer, Ver 3.0)

·  DVD-RW (Ver 1.0, 1.1 & 1.2)

·  +R (Ver 1.3)

·  +R DL (Double Layer, Ver 3.0)

·  +RW (Ver 1.3 and Ver 1.0 High Speed)

·  DVD-RAM (Ver.2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 [Class0])

·  DVD-RAM (Ver 2.2 [Class1])

·  CD-ROM Mode1

·  CD-ROM XA Mode2 (form 1 & 2)

·  Photo CD (single and multiple session)

·  Video CD

·  CD-DA

·  CD-Extra / CD-Text

·  CD-R

·  CD-RW

* Copy protected discs are supported.

Write Speed BD-R Single Layer

·  4x CLV (18.00 MB/sec)*

·  2x CLV (9.00 MB/sec)

* This specification is only for certain discs

Write Speed BD-RE Single Layer

·  2x CLV (9.00 MB/sec)

Write Speed DVD-R

·  12x Zone-CLV (16.62 MB/sec)*

·  8x Zone-CLV (11.08 MB/sec)*

·  6x CLV (8.31 MB/sec)*

·  4x CLV (5.54 MB/sec)**

·  2x CLV (2.77 MB/sec)**

·  1x CLV (1.385 MB/sec)**

* This specification is for only 12cm discs. The specification of 8cm discs is up to 4X CLV.
** The specification for 8cm discs is identical

Write Speed DVD-R Dual Layer

·  4x CLV (5.54 MB/sec)

·  2x CLV (2.77 MB/sec)

Write Speed DVD-RW

·  6x CLV (8.31 MB/sec)*

·  4x CLV (5.54 MB/sec)**

·  2x CLV (2.77 MB/sec)**

·  1x CLV (1.385 MB/sec)**

* This specification is for only 12cm discs. The specification of 8cm discs is up to 4X CLV.
** The specification for 8cm discs is identical

Write Speed +R

·  12x Zone-CLV (16.62 MB/sec)*

·  8x Zone-CLV (11.08 MB/sec)*

·  6x CLV (8.31 MB/sec)*

·  4x CLV (5.54 MB/sec)

·  2.4x CLV (3.32 MB/sec)

* This specification is for only 12cm discs. The specification of 8cm discs is up to 4X CLV.

Write Speed +R Double Layer

·  4x CLV (5.54 MB/sec)

·  2.4x CLV (3.32 MB/sec)

Write Speed +RW

·  6x CLV (8.31 MB/sec)*

·  4x CLV (5.54 MB/sec)

·  3.3x CLV (4.57 MB/sec)

·  2.4x CLV (3.32 MB/sec)

* This specification is for only 12cm discs. The specification of 8cm discs is up to 4X CLV.

Write Speed DVD-RAM

·  5x CLV (6.92 MB/sec)

·  3x CLV (4.15 MB/sec)

·  2x CLV (2.77 MB/sec)

Write Speed CD-R

·  24x Zone-CLV (3.60 MB/sec)*

·  16x CLV (2.40 MB/sec)*

·  10x CLV (1.50 MB/sec)*

·  4x CLV (0.60 MB/sec)**

* This specification is for only 12cm discs. The specification of 8cm discs is up to 4X CLV.
** The specification for 8cm discs is identical

Write Speed CD-RW

·  24x Zone-CLV (US & US+, 3.60 MB/sec)*

·  16x CLV (US & US+, 2.40 MB/sec)*

·  10x CLV (HS, US & US+, 1.50 MB/sec)*

·  4x CLV (Normal & HS, 0.60 MB/sec)**

* This specification is for only 12cm discs. The specification of 8cm discs is up to 4X CLV.
** The specification for 8cm discs is identical

Read Speed BD-ROM Single Layer

5x CAV (22.50 MB/sec)

Read Speed BD-ROM Dual Layer

2x CLV (9.00 MB/sec)

Read Speed BD-R/RE Single Layer

5x CAV (22.50 MB/sec)

Read Speed BD-ROM (BD9)

8x CAV (11.08 MB/sec)

Read Speed DVD-ROM (Single Layer)

12x CAV (16.62 MB/sec)

Read Speed DVD-ROM (Dual Layer)

8x CAV (16.62 MB/sec)

Read Speed DVD-Video
(with CSS, Single / Dual Layer)

5x CAV (6.92 MB/s)

Read Speed DVD-R/+R

12x CAV (16.62 MB/sec)

Read Speed DVD-R DL / +R DL
(Dual/Double Layer)

8x CAV (11.08 MB/sec)

Read Speed DVD-RW / +RW

8x CAV (11.08 MB/sec)

Read Speed DVD-RAM

5x CLV (6.92 MB/s)

Read Speed CD-ROM

32x CAV (4.80 MB/s)

Read Speed CD-R

32x CAV (4.80 MB/s)

Read Speed CD-RW

24x CAV (3.60 MB/s)

Read Speed CD-DA CD-TEXT Mixed CD CD-Extra (Play audio)

9.3x CAV (1.39 MB/s)

Read Speed CD-DA CD-TEXT Mixed CD CD-Extra (Data extraction)

24x CAV (3.60 MB/s)

Read Speed Video-CD

9.3x CAV (1.39 MB/s)

Access Time CD

150ms (Random Average)

Access Time BD-ROM/DVD-ROM

BD-ROM 250ms, DVD-ROM 150ms (Random Average)

Interface

Serial ATA Revision 1.0a

IDE Data Transfer Mode

Generation1, 1.5Gbits/sec

Data Buffer

4MB

Mounting Orientation

Horizontal / Vertical (+/- 5 degrees)*

*8cm discs cannot be used when the drive is vertically mounted

Power Requirement

Max. +5V 1.65A, +12V 1.45A
(Maximum peak during Dual Layer BD-ROM random access)

Power Consumption

Max. 25.7W (Maximum peak during Dual Layer BD-ROM random access)

Regulatory Approval

UL60950-1 FirstEdition, CSA C22.2 No.60950-1-03, EN60950-1:2001+A11, CBReport: IEC60950-1:2001, FIMKO, SEMKO (Optional)

Dimensions (W x H x D) mm

148mm x 42.3mm x 185mm
(Including height of front bezel)

Net Weight

0.98 kg

What’s inside the box


Now it’s time to take a look at the drive itself and what the drive came shipped with.

Our bulk package contained the Pioneer BDR-202 drive, software CD-ROM and manual.

Now let’s take a look at the drive.

The bezel of the Pioneer BDR-202 is plainly styled. We can also see various logos, an emergency eject hole, single green LED and an eject button.

Drive top

Drive bottom

On the top of the drive we found two labels and we can see the drive was manufactured in Japan during May 2007

On the rear of the drive we can see from left to right, an unspecified connector, SATA power and data connectors and an unspecified terminal block. The unspecified connector and terminal block are used for configuring the drive in the factory.

Now let’s head on to the next page were we can take a look at the features of the drive….


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