newegg.com NEC 3500A 87.00 vs Pioneer 108 94.00

[pinballnut]

Two great looking dvd burners for two great looking prices



i returned the dvr-107 to best buy they wanted 140.00 for it
i found two great burners at newegg.com for way cheaper but what one should i get????? and why?????

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductde ... 031&DEPA=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 157&depa=1

[Markz2k]

I bought the NEC. The capabilities of both are similar, but the NEC can do CD's at 48X, the Pioneer is limited to 32X. The jury's still out as to which drive is better. I suspect the Pioneer will get more firmware updates, NEC is not as good in releasing firmware updates. When I can get the 108/A08XL at a local retail store, I'll get one and try them both. Whichever I don't like will go back.

Either has got to be better than the Sony DRU-700A I have now. That goes back this week.

[Silentbob343]

You should be able to get the NEC cheaper. I bought the 2510 not but a weeek ago for $74 including shipping. It's the OEM version, but since I already own the burning softwareI don't need the retail version.


AHH....
you meant 3500. Your title says 2500.

[sqlb]

I have a pair of both 3500 and the A108. Though I have not completed my tests on them (Pioneer w/1.10 firmware is after in reading), right now if Iasked, I would recommend the Pioneer. It's tray is heavier, the unit is heavier, all in all in just seems better built.

Past expereience tells me it would be more durable (my NEC 2510 died within a month of acquiriing it while my Pioneer A-106 still jugs along after more than a year and countless hours of use). Speed isn't everything.

[pinballnut]

just fixed title 2500 to 3500

[MadBurner]

Pioneer all the way

MB

[hoxlund]

hmm this thread puts me in trouble, i wanted to buy the NEC 3500, but your guy's posts puts me towards the 108

ive put probably close to 1,000 dvd-r through my pioneer 107 burner and it still works beautifully

so having kick ass experiance with my 107 again puts me towards 108, but some of the burn scans show the 108 kinda lagging behind the nec

but then again new firmware was just released saying better dvd burning performance, so i guess ill wait till payday to decide

[MadBurner]

Hoxlund--It sounds like your ready for the 108!!

MB

[hoxlund]

DON'T TEMPT ME!!! im holding out for the 109

[MadBurner]

I would probably wait too if I had a 107.

MB

[Joker]

I had to vote for the 3500, I just installed mine last night :)

Joker

[noycan]

I'd get the Pioneer because it's quality of construction is reportedly better and because of more frequent firmware upgades. I wanted to get the retail version, which they have at Fry's, but it costs $179 . So, I guess it's NewEgg for me.

[gate1975mlm]

I ordered the Pioneer DVR-A08 Retail version. Can't wait!

[SA]

I keep hearing that the Pioneer will be better because of more upgrades. But that doesn't mean anything if each upgrade is a baby step. Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of NEC vs Pioneer past firmware updates ?

If NECs are fewer but better, I'd take fewer.

[pinballnut]

well this thread is going good were tied 11 11 on the poll

just like to say small differnces in speed are not my worry i would rather have a solid burner that burn disc compatible with the most dvd players the a07 i used to have used to make disc that worked in ps2 i dont know if thats hard but my friends sony 500a cant do that

so anyway i am looking for quality discs and a quality drive
speed is only a little bit important


I am kind of leaning towards the pioneer i really liked the 107 before i returned it . But thats keep this thread going a little longer i am lovin the opinions and my jury is still out

[hoxlund]

yeah my sony dru510a didn't burn worth a shit for xbox's even on ritek g04 media

ill either buy 108 or 109, or both

[MadBurner]

Both is a great idea

MB

[Robotnik]

Considering I just came today with a 3500A, I had to vote for it!

[Mystery Man]

I voted for the pioneer. Ive still got the 106 and its been a great drive so i probably get another drive from them. The 108 seems a pretty good drive. I wouldnt mind holding out till the 109 but that depends on how long i'll have to wait. I did the same thing with the 107 but now finding myself doing the waiting game again

[pinballnut]

A09 ???
are there specs for that yet ??
how does it improve on the a08???


i dont ewant to wait longer

[MadBurner]

I wouldn't expect the Pioneer A09 until late 2004/early 2005.

Don't forget that the A08 also reads DVD-RAM whereas the 3500 does not!

MB

[jpuntel]

Did anyone read CD-Rinfo.com's assesment of the Pioneer? I didn't think it was all that favorable. I'm in a bit of a spot now, my BenQ 800A has given up on me, thanks to me using hacked firmware. THey mention that the Pioneer has alot of trouble with SD2 protected discs. I thought that most copy protection removal was handled by software. I really want to go with Pioneer, but I just don't know.

[axelrod]

This is like a revamp of my NEC vs. Pioneer poll thread...


damn, and I still haven't bought one -- held out for these two...




-ax

[SA]

Got my NEC 3500 installed last night. I think its a fine drive. Looks kind of "plain jane" but man is she a quiet burner. At $87, its a no brainer. All that talk about a flimsy tray is bunk. Its not meant for Olympic springboard action. And who cares if NEC offers fewer firmware updates, as long as those that they do offer fix any issues. I'd rather have quality updates over frequent updates.

[wicked1]

My pioneers (107 and 106 especially) have been nothing but perfection to me so a 108 is planned soon or I may keep chugging along at 8x till the 109 comes out. My 106 is a workhorse. Easily over 1000 burns and still going great.