BDR-206 vs. BDR-206DBK

tgbanshee · 19-09-2011

Pioneer has both the BDR-206 and the BDR-206DBK listed on their website. They look to have identical specs other than the part number. My guess is internal components are different and the DBK is a newer revision but I still don't understand why Pioneer is still advertising both. Does anyone have any experience/knowledge with these two drives and which one is better? From my experience, newer does not always mean better/more reliable. Amazon has both for $100 and I am ready to pull the trigger on one but am not sure which one to get. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

**Albert** · 20-09-2011

I believe you will get the same drive either way.

The only 206 that is different hardware is the 206MBK, which writes to BDXL media in addition to what the standard 206 supports.

Electrox3d · 20-09-2011

if you want to future proof your purchase buy the drive with BDXL support, 100GB media is already out in Japan and will probably be available everywhere by next year.

**mciahel** · 20-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgbanshee

Pioneer has both the BDR-206 and the BDR-206DBK listed on their website. They look to have identical specs other than the part number.

In the old times, when Pioneer made DVD writers, the "D" models had DVD-RAM support disabled by firmware. Could this be the case with these BD drives also?

Michael

**Albert** · 21-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by mciahel

In the old times, when Pioneer made DVD writers, the "D" models had DVD-RAM support disabled by firmware. Could this be the case with these BD drives also?

Michael

edit: I can't quite get any sites to agree on whether or not the -DBK version of the 206 has DVD-RAM support. Pioneer's site doesn't explicitly list it, but they also don't have the specs for the plain 206. So...maybe this is the case?

If so, is it wrong of me to say it doesn't matter?

*2601* · 21-09-2011

The "D" models does not support writing on DVD-RAM and can find the information from official site.

http://pioneer.jp/device_e/product-e..._MediaList.pdf

RedDwarf · 21-09-2011

I have the BDR-206DBK and I thought that it was a European version of the 206. The firmwares are not compatible, you cannot flash the DBK with 206 firmware, not using the Pioneer flasher anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2601

The "D" models does not support writing on DVD-RAM and can find the information from official site.

http://pioneer.jp/device_e/product-e..._MediaList.pdf

If it was disabled then it wouldn't. However, I doubt that it can.

*cvs* · 21-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDwarf

I have the BDR-206DBK and I thought that it was a European version of the 206. The firmwares are not compatible, you cannot flash the DBK with 206 firmware, not using the Pioneer flasher anyway.

That is perfectly normal as technically speaking they are different models. The 206D is basically a 206 with DVD-RAM write support disabled in firmware. Hardware wise they are identical.

Crossflashing a BDR-206D to a BDR-206 proper and enabling DVD-RAM in the process would be perfectly possible since a BDR-206 kernel firmware is available, but unfortunately DVRFlash (which would make this crossflash possible) does not support yet the BDR-206 family, and until that happens there's not much one can do to crossflash their BDR-206D drive to a proper BDR-206!

As said before the BDR-206M uses completely different hardware than the rest of the 206 family, so a crossflash is impossible.

MajorHavoc · 04-07-2012

I have one of these drives in my PC, but how do I know which one I really have? I have tried the updaters and I am told no valid drive can be found. But the properties in hardware settings show this drive to be a BDR-206. I have a second non-BD optical drive in my machines as well. Could that drive be fooling the updater into thinking that the right drive is missing?

I am trying to solve a problem where the drive is now failing to write ANY DVD. It starts the leadin process, and then simply fails to respond and Nero reports a drive failure. Hoped updating might help.

So, any hints as to why i cannot update would be appreciated as well as anyone who has seen write failures like this.

Thanks

*cvs* · 04-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorHavoc

I have one of these drives in my PC, but how do I know which one I really have?

Please post a DiscInfo (http://discinfo.rpc1.org/#Download) screenshot for your drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorHavoc

I am trying to solve a problem where the drive is now failing to write ANY DVD.

What discs are you trying to burn and at what speed? What is their MID code (http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com/)?

MajorHavoc · 08-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvs

Please post a DiscInfo (http://discinfo.rpc1.org/#Download) screenshot for your drive.

Not easy to take that machine apart. Is there something I can look for that will tell me without having to unrack and take apart that machine?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvs

What discs are you trying to burn and at what speed? What is their MID code (http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com/)?

Well, the key word was "ALL". Nothing I have works any more. And these are discs that all worked just fine before (from the same package, not just the same kind) and they all fail lead in now. Phillips, Memorex, Sony, TDK, and several other, both DVD-R and DVD+R, and BD-R from Reitek (that box had 50, the first 29 worked fine, now they are failing as well.

Maybe time for a new drive? This is only 1.5 years old. SIGH!

*cvs* · 08-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorHavoc

Not easy to take that machine apart.

Who said you have to take the machine apart?

Quite the opposite!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorHavoc

Is there something I can look for that will tell me without having to unrack and take apart that machine?

Yes: run DiscInfo! Run the program and post a screenshot of the program's main window in here. It will tell us what drive/firmware you've got.

MajorHavoc · 10-07-2012

OK, I read that originally as take a real photo of the drive! I guess I was tired. I will try this now, and report below. Thank you.

MajorHavoc · 10-07-2012

OK, here is what I got. DId you need me to download the database as well before running this, or is this enough. I really do not see any info here that says anything. Do I need to put a DVD into it? Hope this is useful.

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*_chef_* · 10-07-2012

Get imgburn and perform a simulated burn ...

*cvs* · 10-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorHavoc

I have tried the updaters and I am told no valid drive can be found.

This is very odd ... and might indicate some system/filer driver configuration issue ...

Your drive is definitely a BDR-206 and uses the older 1.04 firmware. If your drive has a standard bezel then the BDR-206 1.06 firmware updater should work. If your drive has the posh looking shiny bezel, then it is a BDR-S06 (which in Windows also identifies as BDR-206) and if you use that particular 1.06 firmware updater, that should do the trick.

If none of the two work, then you either have a system configuration issue blocking the update, or you might have some weird OEM drive.
We can find out exactly which OEM drive you've got if you download and run (from the command line) DVRFlash (http://dvrflash.rpc1.org/):

Run it (from the command line) with the following parameters and press y when prompted:

dvrflash g: -v

What you'll see is something like this:

Code:

Drive Information:
   Description : PIONEER BD-RW   BDR-206
  Firmware Rev : 1.06
 Firmware Date : 11/04/18
  Manufacturer : PIONEER
Drive is in normal mode.

Additional Drive Information:
 Serial Number : 
Interface type : SAT
DVR generation : 1030
   Kernel type : GENERAL
   Normal type : GENERAL
Kernel version : 0003

        Status : RPC-2 (region locked)
        Region : none
       Changes : 5 region changes remaining

The kernel type will tell us exactly what OEM flavour you've got ...

Do you have any drive emulation/virtual drive software installed (Alcohol, Daemon Tools, etc)? Did you install/uninstall any burning/virtual drive software around the time your drive started to fail by any chance?

MajorHavoc · 11-07-2012

This was a new drive in the Pioneer box bought at Frys, so I do not think it should be strange OEM version, unless someone switched the drive.

OK, here is what I got with dvrflash

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MajorHavoc · 11-07-2012

I was particularly bothered that my drive is listed as incompatible with DVRflash. How come?

*_chef_* · 11-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorHavoc

I was particularly bothered that my drive is listed as incompatible with DVRflash. How come?

WHERE?

MajorHavoc · 11-07-2012

Look at the last line in the terminal image I posted:

"The PIONEER BD-RW BRD-206 is not supported by this utility - Aborting"

Am I misunderstanding that?

*cvs* · 11-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorHavoc

Look at the last line in the terminal image I posted:

"The PIONEER BD-RW BRD-206 is not supported by this utility - Aborting"

Am I misunderstanding that?

Nope, that is correct. Version DVRFlash 2.7.7 does not support flashing the 206 (and the later 207) series.

*cvs* · 11-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorHavoc

OK, here is what I got with dvrflash

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OK, mystery solved!

An ID60 kernel indicates that your drive is a BDR-2206 model (which also identifies itself as BDR-206 once installed). If you use the BDR-2206 flasher then the firmware update should work OK for you: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...6?tab=firmware

MajorHavoc · 12-07-2012

Thank you. I will check this out. Also curious as to the differences, but I bet a Google search will tell me that. I appreciate the help!

MajorHavoc · 12-07-2012

I guess this drive is dead, as reflashing did not help. Suggestions?

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The DVD-DL blank is from the same stash I have been using for over a year.

More info: The other drive bruns DVDs just fine, so nothing wrong with the system.

MajorHavoc · 24-07-2012

OK, so now I am REALLY bothered.
Thinking my BDR-206 was dead, I ordered a new drive (a BRD-207D) which arrived yesterday. I shut down my system, installed the new drive, and it FAILED to burn with almost the exact same results as the 206.

So, I could use some ideas here. I am on an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 @ 2.66 Ghz, and 8 GB of memory, running Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate N. According to the System Task Manager, I am using less than 10% of the processor when I try and burn, and I do nothing else to bother this machine. I am using Nero Burning Rom version 10.0.10700.7.100. So far, it has worked flawlessly. But not now?

So what is causing my burns to fail? Maybe the other drive is still fine, and something else has gone wrong? Is this a driver issue? MS says no driver update, and the new drive just worked, I did not see any software driver load for it.

Anyone have any other ideas I can check?

Thanks.

19-09-2011	#1
tgbanshee New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1	BDR-206 vs. BDR-206DBK Pioneer has both the BDR-206 and the BDR-206DBK listed on their website. They look to have identical specs other than the part number. My guess is internal components are different and the DBK is a newer revision but I still don't understand why Pioneer is still advertising both. Does anyone have any experience/knowledge with these two drives and which one is better? From my experience, newer does not always mean better/more reliable. Amazon has both for $100 and I am ready to pull the trigger on one but am not sure which one to get. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

20-09-2011	#2
Albert Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: AL, USA Posts: 5,985	Re: BDR-206 vs. BDR-206DBK I believe you will get the same drive either way. The only 206 that is different hardware is the 206MBK, which writes to BDXL media in addition to what the standard 206 supports.

20-09-2011	#3
Electrox3d MyCE Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 241	Re: BDR-206 vs. BDR-206DBK if you want to future proof your purchase buy the drive with BDXL support, 100GB media is already out in Japan and will probably be available everywhere by next year. __________________ <-- Jenny McCarthy and I hanging out at E3... and yes she's wearing a Halo 2 T-shirt.

21-09-2011	#6
2601 MyCE Resident Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 2,114	Re: BDR-206 vs. BDR-206DBK The "D" models does not support writing on DVD-RAM and can find the information from official site. http://pioneer.jp/device_e/product-e..._MediaList.pdf

04-07-2012	#9
MajorHavoc New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	how can i know which i have? I have one of these drives in my PC, but how do I know which one I really have? I have tried the updaters and I am told no valid drive can be found. But the properties in hardware settings show this drive to be a BDR-206. I have a second non-BD optical drive in my machines as well. Could that drive be fooling the updater into thinking that the right drive is missing? I am trying to solve a problem where the drive is now failing to write ANY DVD. It starts the leadin process, and then simply fails to respond and Nero reports a drive failure. Hoped updating might help. So, any hints as to why i cannot update would be appreciated as well as anyone who has seen write failures like this. Thanks Last edited by MajorHavoc; 04-07-2012 at 20:01. Reason: spelling issues

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10-07-2012	#13
MajorHavoc New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	DOH OK, I read that originally as take a real photo of the drive! I guess I was tired. I will try this now, and report below. Thank you.

10-07-2012	#14
MajorHavoc New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	Hope this works..... OK, here is what I got. DId you need me to download the database as well before running this, or is this enough. I really do not see any info here that says anything. Do I need to put a DVD into it? Hope this is useful. Embedded Images View/download images and remove advertisements by registering now! (it's easy, free and takes less than a minute) You must be registered in order view images in this forum.

10-07-2012	#15
_chef_ MyCE Resident Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: @FX labs .de ...playing LLAMATRON :-] Posts: 30,613	Get imgburn and perform a simulated burn ... __________________ Enable DMA with micrAp$0ft Enable DMA free at your will busTRACE => Upper/Lower Filters Util DevCon *HOW TO ... Delete the Upper & Lower Filters!* If you expect help then please use the powerful SEARCH. Try ThreatFire I am looking for DVD-R for Authoring & HD DVD media. Please PM me if you can help me. Vamos Tribbles! V-a-m-o-s!!

11-07-2012	#17
MajorHavoc New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	This was a new drive in the Pioneer box bought at Frys, so I do not think it should be strange OEM version, unless someone switched the drive. OK, here is what I got with dvrflash Embedded Images View/download images and remove advertisements by registering now! (it's easy, free and takes less than a minute) You must be registered in order view images in this forum.

11-07-2012	#18
MajorHavoc New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	Incompatible? Why? I was particularly bothered that my drive is listed as incompatible with DVRflash. How come?

12-07-2012	#23
MajorHavoc New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	Many Thanks Thank you. I will check this out. Also curious as to the differences, but I bet a Google search will tell me that. I appreciate the help!

12-07-2012	#24
MajorHavoc New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	Well, that did not help I guess this drive is dead, as reflashing did not help. Suggestions? Embedded Images View/download images and remove advertisements by registering now! (it's easy, free and takes less than a minute) You must be registered in order view images in this forum. The DVD-DL blank is from the same stash I have been using for over a year. More info: The other drive bruns DVDs just fine, so nothing wrong with the system.

24-07-2012	#25
MajorHavoc New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	OK, so now I am REALLY bothered. Thinking my BDR-206 was dead, I ordered a new drive (a BRD-207D) which arrived yesterday. I shut down my system, installed the new drive, and it FAILED to burn with almost the exact same results as the 206. So, I could use some ideas here. I am on an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 @ 2.66 Ghz, and 8 GB of memory, running Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate N. According to the System Task Manager, I am using less than 10% of the processor when I try and burn, and I do nothing else to bother this machine. I am using Nero Burning Rom version 10.0.10700.7.100. So far, it has worked flawlessly. But not now? So what is causing my burns to fail? Maybe the other drive is still fine, and something else has gone wrong? Is this a driver issue? MS says no driver update, and the new drive just worked, I did not see any software driver load for it. Anyone have any other ideas I can check? Thanks.

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