PIONEER DVR-A09XL Internal Double Layer DVD Writer - Black Bezel

by Pioneer

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007M60ZK
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 23, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The DVR-A09XL is capable of writing at speeds up to 16x maximum on DVD-R and +R discs that are designed for this recording speed, as well as specified 8x media. With 16x media not yet available, Pioneer's DVR-A09XL is allowing customers to write on currently available 8x media at faster speeds by capitalizing on Pioneer's over specification technology, a writing strategy designed to allow the DVR-A09XL to record at higher speeds with certain media. The double-layer technology extends data storage capacity on DVD recordable discs from 4.7 gigabytes to 8.5 gigabytes. The new drive is also dual format, which support DVD-R and DVD-RW disc formats as well as the +R and +RW formats to eliminate consumer confusion.

Pioneer engineers focused on improving the writing/recording quality and reliability for high-speed writing. New technology accommodates for variances in blank media. Some of the technological advancements include:

• Quiet Drive technolgoy which reduces the operating noise by about 75%. Pioneer-developed Liquid Crystal Control System for precise recording onto the surface of discs that may be warped or of uneven thickness.
• Smart Laser Driver to provide a precise laser pulse control and achieve more reliable recording for high-speed writing.
• Precision Recording Technology, which utilizes an auto-adjustable writing technique to enable recording under the best conditions for each disc characteristic at all times. This technology, first introduced in the DVR-A06, enables the DVR-A09 to achieve optimal initial writing performance and helps to minimize the normal deterioration of re-recordable discs due to repeated writing. As a result, the quality for repeatedly used DVD-RW discs is up to 10 times better than previous writers.
• An Ultra Dynamic Resonance Absorber that reduces vibrations that can affect performance during high-speed recording and playback of some discs. With this feature, the high precision servo system remains stable during both high-speed recording and playback.

Product Description

Pioneer DVR-A09XL Internal Double Layer DVD Writer - This internal DVD writer features fast 6x Double Layer recording to DVD+R disc. Double Layer recording lets you pack up to 8.5GB of data or video onto a single side. This gives you more room for data and better quality video, while freeing up the other side for labeling. This drive also features new advancements in recording speeds to other formats. You'll enjoy up to 16x speeds for DVD-R & DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 40x CD-R, & 24x CD-RW.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice indeed, February 23, 2005

By 

Shawn Campbell (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PIONEER DVR-A09XL Internal Double Layer DVD Writer - Black Bezel (Personal Computers)

I have owned this drive for five weeks now and have been very pleased with it. I have burned dozens of DVDs so far, and the only coasters (ruined discs) I have turned out I would attribute to using inferior media. I ordered what I thought was 16x premium brand DVD-Rs from another online store and I received some generic 4x media. I tried the discs anyway and the results were poor.
However, I have had 100% success with Verbatim, Memorex, and Staples store brand 16x and 8x media. The 8x Memorex discs even burn at 12x.
I have not found a 16x disc yet that will actually burn at 16x speed. Pioneer recently released another firmware update, though, and I am hopeful that support for this speed will begin to become more common. That said, this drive is fast. I have burned full DVDs (single layer) in five minutes.
I also appreciate how quiet this drive is. My machine also has a 52x Samsung CD-RW drive in it, but I find I am not using it anymore because the new Pioneer drive's motor is so much quieter.
Anyway, I do recommend this drive. My hope now is that it lasts a long problem free life.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Product, Great Burner, April 27, 2005

By 

Wahnsinn (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PIONEER DVR-A09XL Internal Double Layer DVD Writer - Black Bezel (Personal Computers)

Just recently purchased the A09XL (first dvd player/writer for my PC) and it's great. It runs so quiet, the fan in my tower actually makes more noise. No trouble whatsoever in reading/writing, very fast at that (using 8x DVD+R at this moment).

The one problem I ran into, and you may want to check into this first, is that it didn't quite fit in my case. The way that the tray is setup on the writer (width is the entire width of the writer itself instead of leaving 1/4" or so on each side), my case wouldn't allow the tray to clear each side of the face on my case. When I had the writer in the top bay of my case, it wouldn't clear the top either (the tray is at the top of the writer). So I had to move it down to the second bay and also use my Dremel to make some "modifications" to my case so that it would clear the sides. The actual width of the tray (and the unit itself) is 5-27/32", so make sure your case can handle this unless you plan on doing some "modifications" of your own.

No stars taken away since I think it's a Dell thing, this model probably really isn't meant for upgrading.

FYI, the PC I'm referencing is a Dell Dimension 2400, so your results may vary depending how your case is setup.

After that was all cleared up though, it's been smooth sailing.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch quality., June 29, 2005

By 

PC Nut - See all my reviews

This review is from: PIONEER DVR-A09XL Internal Double Layer DVD Writer - Black Bezel (Personal Computers)

I have had this drive a week now and have ripped DVDs in many different modes for PC backup data with not one failure. I purchased a 50-pk of off-brand DVD+Rs and have yet to have a problem. I have yet to burn a DVD in dual layer mode (or copy a movie). As mentioned though, the drive is rather large and had to move my Yamaha CD-RW because the back of the Pioneer would hit motherboard components in a lower bay and not go all the way in. I build my own PCs, so it wasn't a big deal for me. The silver finish looks great in the Thermaltake Silver case.

If you can get it in your system, this is the best drive to get. The quality is top notch and it appears it will last for many years. Also, the software to burn and backup is easy to use as well.