NEC or Pioneer

[ChickenMan]

What firmware are you using?

I'm using the latest 2.18 but patched with the Mad Dog firmware to allow +R and +R DL Bitsetting. For +R DL the Pio 108 has it auto set and unalterable (thats good) but the NEC didnt patch it, so others have. Since I was m=wanting to bun a few DL, I needed it bitset to DVD-ROM. Its also patched for RCP1 and the rip lock removed. No higher than official burning speeds included (which I like ). There are also patched firmware allowing 16x burning on all media but I'm after quality burns, not fast burns.

Just for the record, the Pio 108 is a fantastic unit and identical to the NEC spec wise (even uses the same NEC chipset). All my friends have the 108, but the excellent burn quality of the NEC reported by many needed to be checked out. I can confirm, I get substantially better Kprobe scans from the NEC than from my old 108. I have only used Ritek G05 -R media since owning the NEC so how it goes with other media I have no idea at this stage, but all reports say its very forgiving (like the Pio 108) with all media, just prefering the -R (from others reporting). The -R blanks are cheaper and more plentiful than the +R's here in Oz so that suits me, may not others. My DVD Players also play every thing I throw at them as well, be it -R +R or DL This may not be the case for everyone and needs to be taken into consideration.

[PC-GUY]

I'm using the latest 2.18 but patched with the Mad Dog firmware to allow +R and +R DL Bitsetting. For +R DL the Pio 108 has it auto set and unalterable (thats good) but the NEC didnt patch it, so others have. Since I was m=wanting to bun a few DL, I needed it bitset to DVD-ROM. Its also patched for RCP1 and the rip lock removed. No higher than official burning speeds included (which I like ). There are also patched firmware allowing 16x burning on all media but I'm after quality burns, not fast burns.

I'm guessing you meant 2.F8? From what I've read it does what you're talking about.
Any info on the newer firmware?

Thu Aug 12, 2004 9:07 pm Mad Dog MD-16XDVD9 Mad Dog MD-16XDVD9 - 2.F6, 2.F8, 2.F9, 2.FA
Beta region free, (RPC-1) firmware is available here. Patched by The Dangerous Brothers.
Firmware 2.F8 allows full bitsetting capabilities for both single layer and double layer DVD+R media as well as DVD+RW discs.
OEM NEC ND-3500AG
RPC-2
Also I found this at CDRinfo about the firmware flashing.

[ChickenMan]

Well sort of, but as I said Liggie patched the Mad Dog firmware into the NEC firmware, so I still have a NEC 3500 instead of a Mad Dog ***xx.

If you want to know whats the latest firmware and whats happening with the NEC, cdfreaks NEC forum would have to be the best as all the firmware hackers hang out there.

This is where I got the firmware from http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=114665
"I used the bitsetting code from MadDog 2.fa and integrated it into the 2.18 firmware....Riplock is removed, RPC1 included." I just used the Binflasher file to flash it, took a whole 10seconds

[dx]

I'd check out when the Pio109 and NEC 3520 are to be released (I think its soon), both have been reported to support -R DL media and higher burn speeds for RW's. Otherwise they are much the same as the 108 and 3500.

I'm ready to buy now... waited long enough.

I'm thinking of going with the NEC 3520. Seems many of the early reported issues are gone. I've read about some issues with the Pioneer A09. A friend has an Pioneer A09XL and is having compatibility issues with various high quality media. There is a new firmware out though.

I'm thinking of going with a Black one as it will have a black tray. I've been reading that black trays seem to do slightly better burns other colors (usu. beige). Opinions?!

[PC-GUY]

I'm ready to buy now... waited long enough.

I'm thinking of going with the NEC 3520. Seems many of the early reported issues are gone. I've read about some issues with the Pioneer A09. A friend has an Pioneer A09XL and is having compatibility issues with various high quality media. There is a new firmware out though.

I'm thinking of going with a Black one as it will have a black tray. I've been reading that black trays seem to do slightly better burns than other colors (usu. beige). Opinions?!.

Your joking right?

[dx]

Your joking right?

Nope. It's supposed to reduce light scattering in the drive = better quality burns.

Plextor has been using black trays for some time now on their CDR and DVDR burners. I have a 2 year old Plex that has one, that is still my audio burner. Pioneer is going this way too. I think there are others.

Personally I have a silver aluminum case, so black would look fine. Silver would be better, I suppose. But it's hidden behind a door. But silver faced drives often have beige trays. Getting a black faced drive, will net a black tray.

Some peeps, on another forum, swear by them. Others are not as convinced of the benefits. I thought I'd throw it up here for discussion, considering that we have some great experts here. Guess, I need convincing too.

[PC-GUY]

Nope. It's supposed to reduce light scattering in the drive = better quality burns.

Plextor has been using black trays for some time now on their CDR and DVDR burners. I have a 2 year old Plex that has one, that is still my audio burner. Pioneer is going this way too. I think there are others.

Personally I have a silver aluminum case, so black would look fine. Silver would be better, I suppose. But it's hidden behind a door. But silver faced drives often have beige trays. Getting a black faced drive, will net a black tray.

Some peeps, on another forum, swear by them. Others are not as convinced of the benefits. I thought I'd throw it up here for discussion, considering that we have some great experts here. Guess, I need convincing too.

I can see it with plextor they need all the help they can get in sell lack of quality drives. But if you have a quality DVD burner I don't think you need to worry about it. I say that based on being a very happy beige 3500 owner.

[dx]

I can see it with plextor they need all the help they can get in sell lack of quality drives. But if you have a quality DVD burner I don't think you need to worry about it.

I would never call Plextor a company lacking in quality. Their burn quality is still (usually) top notch, it's their picky media requirements and high cost that makes them less desirable. Lately their drives, are not at the tops of the lists as NEC and Pioneer are. But yes, a top quality drive is most important here for me. But if it makes any difference... and I can choose that color... what the heck.

In the end the 3500 is probably still the top burner at this time. But its starting to show its age. I'm looking for a burner that has some room for future expansion beyond my Pio A07. The NEC 3520 has that... so does the Pio A09. But from my friend's experience and what I've read, the Pio A09 might have issues... might be too early though.

[PC-GUY]

I would never call Plextor a company lacking in quality. Their burn quality is still (usually) top notch, it's their picky media requirements and high cost that makes them less desirable. Lately their drives, are not at the tops of the lists as NEC and Pioneer are. But yes, a top quality drive is most important here for me. But if it makes any difference... and I can choose that color... what the heck.

In the end the 3500 is probably still the top burner at this time. But its starting to show its age. I'm looking for a burner that has some room for future expansion beyond my Pio A07. The NEC 3520 has that... so does the Pio A09. But from my friend's experience and what I've read, the Pio A09 might have issues... might be too early though.

If you think plextor isn't lacking in quality today you need to do some read. The only consecutive thing I keep reading about plextor DVD Burners is it that they have good potential, what a joke. But I guess thats not the point considering your not interested in buying one.
Good luck with what ever you buy.

[scarecrow]

A mediocre drive (516) does not mean Plextor drives are a scam... you are wrong here. I have paid more than 100$ less than one year ago for a Plextor Premium CDRW (NOT DVD burner!) and it has proved itself one of the best buys I have ever made: Flawless audio burns, superb audio ripping quality, duplicating virtually any CD-ROM based game (with BlindWrite).
512 was a great drive too... a failure like 516 does not mean much for people concerned about quality.
That said, I have bought a NEC 3500 AG, which I consider being an exhellent drive at a very reasonable price.

[slippery]

I have a NEC 3500, & a 3520, both are great drives imho without any glitches whatsoever.