Pioneer DVR 212D - DVD±RW Drive - Serial ATA Instruction Manual

Page 1 of 3 pages release date: 1/30/2008
DVR-2810 /DVR-212D FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What are the maximum write speeds of the drive?
•DVD-/+ R single layer: 18X
•DVD-/+ R dual layer: 10X
•DVD-RW: 6X
•DVD+RW: 8X
•CD-R/RW: 40X/32X
2. What type of DVD and CD media can the drive read?
•DVD-ROM •DVD-/+R •DVD-Video (ss/sl & ss/dl)
•DVD-RAM •DVD-/+RW •DVD-/+R DL
•CD-R •CD-RW •CD-DA (CD-Audio)
•CD-EXTRA •CD-Text •CD-ROM (Mode 1 & 2)
•Video CD •CD-ROM XA •Photo CD (single/multi session)
3. Will the drive work with Microsoft® Windows® Vista?
Yes, the drive works with All Microsoft Windows versions. This WHQL-certified drive
does not require specific drivers to work in Windows operating systems.
Note: Some bundled software may not work with all Windows versions.
4. Can other Operating Systems (UNIX®, Linux®, etc) control the drive too?
The drive is designed to work with MS Windows operating systems; however, some
customers have successfully installed this model in PCs with UNIX or Linux
Operating systems and with third-party software applications.
Note: Pioneer does not provide technical support for third party drivers. Use
the drivers at your own risk. Contact the driver provider for support.
5. Can the drive be installed Vertically as well as Horizontally?
This drive may be installed in either position.
6. What is the interface of the drive?
•Serial ATA Revision 2.5
•Gen1i Data transfer mode 1.5Gbits/sec
7. How much does the drive weigh?
2 pounds (0.9 kg)
8. How can I get the full 4.7 GB of data on a disc?
The total usable disc space available on 4.7GB DVD-R/RW media is approximately
4.37 Gigabytes. The apparent discrepancy is because DVD formats use one billion
bytes (1000 x 1000 x 1000) to represent a gigabyte, whereas traditional data storage
calculations use a 1024 x 1024 x 1024 value. This amounts to an apparent 7%
difference in the total number of bytes when DVD capacities are compared with the
traditional calculation; in other words, 4.37 GB = 4.7 billion bytes.

Page 2 of 3 pages release date: 1/30/2008
9. Can I use stickers or labels on my DVD recordable discs?
Labels can cause the disc to become unbalanced and are not recommended. An
imbalanced disc can warp or shatter and may damage the drive. To label your DVD,
use printable media available at most computer and video supply stores.
10.How many times can I rewrite a DVD-RW disc?
The media is rated for 1,000 rewrites. Please check with your preferred media
manufacturer for specific information.
11.How much recording time do I have on a disc?
The bit-rate affects the production length. Encoding content at 10 Mbps provides
approximately 60 minutes on 4.7 GB DVD media while encoding at 5 Mbps supplies
up to 2 hours of recording time.
12.What is a region code and is it required?
•Region codes were created at the request of Hollywood movie studios to allow the
studios to control distribution of their movies.
•Region codes are not mandatory.
•There are eight (8) region codes for DVD covering all areas of the globe.
•Most of North America (USA and Canada) and Japan are assigned as Region 1.
For more information about region codes, please visit the DVD Forum website at
http://www.dvdforum.org
13.Can the drive set/record a region code on my DVD±R/RW DVD-Video disc?
No, DVD recordable drives like the DVR-1810 and DVR-112D cannot set region
codes on DVD recordable video discs.
14.Does recordable media have a copy protection scheme to block illegal copying?
DVD-/+R does not contain a copy protection scheme. However, the DVD-RW format
includes the Content Protection for Recordable Media (CPRM) scheme. CPRM is a
mechanism for controlling the copying, moving and deleting of material on digital
media. Please visit the DVD Forum website at http://www.dvdforum.org for more
information.
15.Can I replace my current writer drive with a Pioneer drive in my duplicator?
Please contact your duplicator manufacturer to confirm that they have qualified this
or other Pioneer drives for your specific duplicator model. Most duplicators have
proprietary firmware for the installed drives which may not be compatible with a
newer drive.
16.What ribbon cable should I use to connect my drive in the PC?
Use a standard Serial ATA (SATA) cable to connect the drive to your PC.
17.What is Firmware and why should I care about it?
Firmware is a drive’s internal programming that allows it to recognize various types
of discs and perform the correct write strategy for that media.

Page 3 of 3 pages release date: 1/30/2008
18.Is it ok to clean my Pioneer drive with a cleaning disc?
Pioneer does not recommend the use of cleaning disc products for DVD drives.
Cleaning discs were originally designed for CD drives and could damage DVD drive
components. For an out-of-warranty drive, if the unit begins to act oddly and looks
very dirty, you might try a short blast of Electronics-grade (sterile, filtered, moisture-
free) canned air aimed at the center of the drive. If this does not clear the problem,
please have the drive serviced by a Pioneer-authorized service organization.
19.What tools can be used to verify/test my drive?
Nero CD/DVD Speed, one of several free applications available for download
through the Internet, can evaluate drive performance.
20. Can I use credit card-shape or odd-shape discs with the drive?
No, the drive supports circular 120MM and 80MM disc types only.
Note: An 80MM disc cannot be used when the drive is vertically mounted.
21. Will this drive read or write Blu-ray Discs?
No, Blu-ray discs require a different type of laser for CD or DVD discs. This drive is
equipped with lasers for CD and DVD reading/writing only.