Review: Pioneer BDR-101A Blu-ray Disc (BD) Recorder
EventDV by Hugh Bennett 
With high performance and capacity of 25GB per layer of recording, Blu-ray Disc (BD) promises a brave new world of abundant storage and lively movies brimming with high-definition video, multi-channel audio, and unprecedented interactivity. Until now, all this has been so much talk, but BD devices and software are finally on the move with Pioneer Electronics' BDR-101A ($995) leading the pack. A multi-format PC recorder (EIDE interface), the BDR-101A works with BDs and DVDs, but not CDs. Specifically, it writes single-layer BD-R (recordable) and BD-RE (rewritable). So far as reading is concerned, it accommodates single-layer BD-R, BD-RE, and BD-ROM (prerecorded) in addition to dual-layer BD-ROM. The unit also reads and writes all manner of DVDs (except DVD-RAM). Aimed squarely at the professional video production market, the BDR-101A doesn't come cheap, priced at $995 with blank discs at $18 to $25 each. But it's a real bargain, it seems to me, compared with early generations of writable CD and DVD. read more...
With high performance and capacity of 25GB per layer of recording, Blu-ray Disc (BD) promises a brave new world of abundant storage and lively movies brimming with high-definition video, multi-channel audio, and unprecedented interactivity. Until now, all this has been so much talk, but BD devices and software are finally on the move with Pioneer Electronics' BDR-101A ($995) leading the pack. A multi-format PC recorder (EIDE interface), the BDR-101A works with BDs and DVDs, but not CDs. Specifically, it writes single-layer BD-R (recordable) and BD-RE (rewritable). So far as reading is concerned, it accommodates single-layer BD-R, BD-RE, and BD-ROM (prerecorded) in addition to dual-layer BD-ROM. The unit also reads and writes all manner of DVDs (except DVD-RAM). Aimed squarely at the professional video production market, the BDR-101A doesn't come cheap, priced at $995 with blank discs at $18 to $25 each. But it's a real bargain, it seems to me, compared with early generations of writable CD and DVD. read more...
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