Faster than a fast thing in the fast lane (Pioneer DVD A05SZ)

Member Name: The Duke

Product:	Pioneer DVD A05SZ
Date:	13/09/00 (156 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fast, easy to install, recognises all formats of CD

Disadvantages: none yet

The first I'd heard of this 16x DVD 40x CDROM slot-loading drive was in an earlier form as the 10x 40x drive reviewed in an old issue of PC Format. I then spent months hmmm-ing and haa-ing over whether or not to upgrade my old Matsui 12x CDROM.

By the time I'd finally made up my mind, Pioneer had released the 16x model at the same entry price as the 10x model. So I went for it. I bought the OEM model from CCL Computers, which cost me just over £100. When it was delivered I unwrapped it. The software bundle with the retail version include Baldurs Gate, and the X files game, but the OEM model comes with nothing, not even a driver disk, although all drivers are available on the Pioneer web site, and you don't really need drivers for Windows operations – only if you go into DOS.

Installation was unbelievably easy, with the cover off, you just unscrew the mounting screws, disconnect the IDE, power and soundcard cables (the Pioneer has both analogue and digital sound outputs for your soundcard), slide out your old CDROM drive, slide the DVD drive in, replace the already installed cables (yes, your old ones will work) and replace the mounting screws. Replace your cover, switch the machine on, and marvel at the speed at which your CD's load software!

There's not really much more I can add to this - data transfer speeds are high. The literature quotes rates of around 21MB/s, although I don't know if this is a theoretical maximum, or an average. Average Random Seek and Access times are around 85 or 95 milliseconds.

In real terms what this means is installing or copying large amounts of data is noticeably faster than with my old 12x CDROM drive, which is expected as it is over 3 times as quick. Obviously, with the DVD ROM capacity being a lot higher than a CD (4GB compared to 650MB for a standard CD) so DVD's - especially those on the front of computer magazines, can hold much more.

The drive it
self can be mounted horizontally or vertically, and the nice slot loading mechanism closes a door (behind the bristles - so you don't notice) to stop you trying to insert a disc when there is already one inside.

Admittedly, I haven't tried playing DVD movies on it yet, but after months of use, it has recognised every single CD, CD-R and DVD that I've inserted, which is a damn sight more than my old CD drive!

Pioneer say that the drive is capable of reading single and dual layer DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM and Audio CD's. In fact the only format not supported is DVD-RAM.

***Update***

I've finally gotten around to installing some software DVD players, and watched a few movies. Installation was as easy as any other piece of software, and on my AMD K6-2 500Mhz system, the films were very watchable with no real problems even though I am questioning the performance level of my computer these days. even more reasons to recommend this piece of kit, although you may want to offset the smaller screen (but better picture quality) with watching movies with a "proper" DVD player and a big telly.

Summary: