Pioneer 112 series vs 115 series vs 116 series

CD, DVD and (Ultra HD) Blu-ray Writers Asus / Pioneer Writer
#1

Just looking to get some feedback on what the best pioneer drive in the set mentioned was?

112 series - has a lower succes rate and isn’t as popular as the 112d(according to the vso stats) BUT the 112 did get the editors choice award.

115 series - this time around the 115d has the better stats,the safe buy award,and is more popular then the 115 but is not as popular as the 112.

116 series - it seems not to much is known on the 116. I found no official reviews, but most people seem to think the 115 had better firmware.

My old phillips 8631 has served me very well for a few years now. The only time i ever had a coaster was from an error on my part, power outages, system crash, etc. The past 2 weeks it has still given reliable burns but the drive was very hard to eject. To eject the drive i had to use a combination of the eject function in ImgBurn and the eject button on my drive. It has finally died on me and will not eject what so ever. So now i am in the market for a new drive and looking to get a respectable drive this time around(i didnt actually choose the phillips it came in my Dell). I was looking for some informed information in deciding which drive out of the 6 is best?

Thanks for the help!

#2

Just curious, but have you tried cross-flashing your Philips DVD8631 into a BenQ DW1620? I’m not saying that will solve the problem, but at this point, anything is worth a shot.

As for which Pioneer drive, the DVR-115/215 series is the safest choice. The 112/212 had mechanical problems and a recall, so they should be avoided, and the 116/216 is too new, meaning the firmware is immature and kind of mediocre right now.

#3

nno i havent, i figured the philips firmware served me well so didnt wana risk a cross-flash, if it aint broke dont fix it ya know :stuck_out_tongue:

Is this the proper firmware ?
http://support.benq.com/files/storage/Firmware/DW1620/B7M9.zip

cant hurt at this point right? :stuck_out_tongue:

Edit: that firmware says the drive is incompatible, any guides out there to help?

thanks for the info!

Is the Pioneer 115 really that great of a drive? Judging from the poll (linked below) it really seems so!
http://club.cdfreaks.com/f61/poll-1893-vote-your-favourite-drive-series-2008.html

#4

i like my 115D. :slight_smile:

if you want a solid burner then the 115D will serve you well. :slight_smile:

please keep in mind that the drive is not a quality scanner.

edit// try here for cross flash information. [but dont think that firmware will help mechanical problem] :slight_smile:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/f92/new-phlips-dvd8631-junk-135615/#post995426

#5

Well I thought I had a 115D, I grabbed the DVR-1910LS at Best Buy, instead of the DVR-1910, is the 1910LS/DVR-113NP any good?

#6

It’s a rebadged Asus…so you can’t let its performance reflect that of a real Pioneer drive.

I think some people were disappointed by the respective Asus drive it’s based on. [I think it’s based on the DRW-2014L1, but do not quote me on that]. People aren’t too enthralled by its performance as a Pioneer, either [from various past threads about the drive].

If you were to return this drive and get another one from Best Buy–which I wouldn’t, at the moment, as there are better choices elsewhere [like at online stores]–I would get a Samsung or LG drive, or a different model Pioneer that is a REAL Pioneer, if still available at your store.

#7

Well they had an external usb pioneer drive @ BB(not sure what model) but it was the only other pioneer I saw. I want an internal drive.

As for online stores, the only reason I grabbed this drive was I thought I was getting a 115. Had I realized this was a 113, not a 115, I wouldn’t have actually bought it. I figured why buy online when I can get it locally(unless of course newegg/tigerdirect have it much cheaper)? :stuck_out_tongue:

#8

You can order a Pioneer 115D from their website with one cent shipping:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/BusinessProducts/Blu-rayDisc+DVDWriters/DVDComputerWriters/DVR-115D

#9

^ and it’s definitely cheaper than Best Buy. :iagree:

Actually, a lot of these drives online are cheaper than Best Buy.

#10

[QUOTE=Xplorer4x4;2120965]I figured why buy online when I can get it locally(unless of course newegg/tigerdirect have it much cheaper)? :p[/QUOTE]

NewEgg is always cheaper, unless you get lucky and find something marked down significantly on clearance.

#11

[QUOTE=Xplorer4x4;2120918]Well I thought I had a 115D, I grabbed the DVR-1910LS at Best Buy, instead of the DVR-1910, is the 1910LS/DVR-113NP any good?[/QUOTE]

You discovered that you should avoid the red box (113 = ASUS w/Lightscribe).

You want the blue (115D = PATA) or grey (215D = SATA) box.

#12

Well both of my 112D’s flashed to 112L FW 8.25 have worked flawless for me and I am very happy with them, although the first one I bought wouldn’t read CD’s so I sent it back to Pioneer not where I bought it and Pio had me a new on in a week

#13

Is this 115DBK the same as a 115D?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3594690&CatId=89

The BK part just refers to the color right?

#14

[quote=Xplorer4x4;2121323]Is this 115DBK the same as a 115D?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3594690&CatId=89

The BK part just refers to the color right?[/quote] Yes and yes (BK = Black).

#15

shipping $8.99

shipping 1¢ from pioneer
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Shop/DVD-Burners/DVD+Drives/ci.DVR-115D.Shop

[QUOTE=DVD_ADDICT;2121008]You can order a Pioneer 115D from their website with one cent shipping:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/BusinessProducts/Blu-rayDisc+DVDWriters/DVDComputerWriters/DVR-115D[/QUOTE]

#16

I know but i got second day shipping from tigerdirect and still saving $20 over the store bought 113. Plus i already ordered it before that was posted, but i appreciate you guys pointing out the shipping difference :slight_smile:

#17

cool, hope you like your new drive. :slight_smile:

will be awaiting your feedback. :slight_smile:

#18

Will do :slight_smile: Just got it today and haven’t really put it to use yet. Just got done flashing it into a DVR-115L and going to rip Chaos tonight in DVD Rebuilder.

#19

I just fired up Acoustica MP3 CD Burner which i have used for years to burn cds. It’s never given me any real problems until now. It’s not recognizing my Pioneer DVR-115L. It has a list of Pioneer drivers built in or the option to use a generic driver? Which option is better?

#20

[QUOTE=Xplorer4x4;2122159]I just fired up Acoustica MP3 CD Burner which i have used for years to burn cds. It’s never given me any real problems until now. It’s not recognizing my Pioneer DVR-115L. It has a list of Pioneer drivers built in or the option to use a generic driver? Which option is better?[/QUOTE]

Update the software.