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PIONEER DVD-500M



  • Interface: ATAPI, UDMA/66 supported.
  • Formats supported:
    • DVD-ROM : DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW
    • CD-ROM : CD-ROM (Mode 1), CD-R, CD-RW (Supports AM2), CD-ROM XA Mode2 (form 1, form 2), Photo-CD, (Single or Multi-session), CD-Extra, CD-DA
  • Reads discs of 8 and 12 cm in diameter
  • Data buffer: 512 KBytes
  • Data rate:
    • DVD Transfer Rate 16x ( 21.6 MBytes/s)
    • CD Transfer Rate 40x ( 6.0 MBytes/s)
  • Access time:
    • DVD 85 ms
    • CD 85 ms
  • Installation: horizontal and vertical
  • Weight: 1.1 Kg

The drive arrived in the OEM package. The front panel has a Load/Eject button and a rubber layer which eliminates noise and protects from dust. The drive supports UDMA/66 interface and when the drive installed the BIOS reminds that it would be better to use the corresponding cable.

Test results

Quality of operation with CDs

CDWinBench 99

  • CDWinMark99 - 1920
  • CD-ROM Transfer Rate
    • Inside - 2930 KBytes/s
    • Outside - 5650 KBytes/s
  • CPU utilization - 8.35%
  • CD-ROM Access Time - 89.6 ms

Nero CD-Speed

The following information on the drive is obtained with the Drive check utility:

  • Vendor : PIONEER
  • Product : DVD-ROM DVD-500M
  • Firmware version : 1.02
  • Buffer size : 512 KBytes
  • Maximum read speed : 7060 KBytes/sec (40 X)
  • CDDA accurate : yes
  • C2 pointers : yes
  • Speed settings : 31 X
  • Read RAW mode : yes

According to these data the drive supports all functions necessary for accurate capture of audio tracks. Besides, the drive has a twice larger memory cache than specified.

Testing of the drive using a standard CD

PIONEER DVD-500M
Average Speed 29.52x
Start Speed 17.33x
End Speed 39.02x
Random Seek 85 ms
1/3 Seek 94 ms
Full Seek 160 ms
Reading type CAV
CPU usage 1x 0%
Accurate stream Yes
DAE quality Score 10
SpinUp Time N/A
SpinDown Time N/A
Disc Recognition Time 0.13 sec

CD-ROM Drive Analyzer

CD-R reading

CD-RW reading

Damaged CD reading

Advanced DAE Quality(Nero CD-Speed)

Offset 2256 bytes ( 564 samples)
Sequential Read Test Average Speed: 30.23 X
Data Errors: 0
Sync Errors: 0
Harmonica Read Test Average Access Time: 115 ms
Data Errors: 0
Sync Errors: 0

Total Data Errors: 0
Total Sync Errors: 0
Quality Score: 100.0

On The Fly Copying Simulation Copying at 1 X
OK
Copying at 2 X
OK
Copying at 4 X
OK
Copying at 6 X
OK
Copying at 8 X
OK
Copying at 10 X
OK
Copying at 12 X
OK
Copying at 16 X
too slow
CD Text Drive is capable of reading CD Text information
Subchannel Data Test 1
Track (01): 01
Relative position (01:05.00): 01:05.40 -> incorrect!
Absolute position (01:07.00): 01:07.40 -> incorrect!
Index (5): 5

Test 2
Track (17): 23 incorrect!
Relative position (01:33.00): 01:51.40 -> incorrect!
Absolute position (33:35.00): 51:53.40 -> incorrect!
Index (1): 1

Test 3
Track (36): 53 incorrect!
Relative position (00:00.00): 02:30.40 -> incorrect!
Absolute position (70:02.00): 112:02.40 -> incorrect!
Index (1): 1

Leadin Drive cannot read data from the Leadin
Leadout Drive cannot read data from the Leadout

Soundtrack extraction from audio CDs (CDDAE 99)

Licensed CD Pirated CD
Average extraction speed 29.6x 29.3x
Total errors 0.00% 0.00%

Direct copying of data from a 780 MBytes CD-R onto a hard disc.

The drive read the 780 MBytes disc successfully. The time of full copying is 4 min. 40 sec.

Quality of operation with DVD discs

Nero DVD Speed

Testing with a two-layer DVD disc

PIONEER DVD-500M
Average Speed 5.95x
Start Speed 3.29x
End Speed 3.98x
Random Seek 90 ms
1/3 Seek 99 ms
Full Seek 164 ms
Reading type CAV
CPU usage 1x 16%
SpinUp Time 0.23 sec
SpinDown Time 1.90 sec
Layer Change Time 85 ms
Disc Recognition Time 0.10 sec

DVD-Video playback with the Cyberlink PowerDVD 2.55

The DVD-Video was played without any problems; no artifacts were noticed. Changing of the layer didn't affect the quality of reproduction.

Noise characteristics.

  • Tray - 7/10
  • CD
    • Seek - 5/10
    • Total noise - 6/10
  • DVD
    • Seek - 5/10
    • Total noise - 6/10

At the maximum speed the noise level wasn't quite high. Speed reduction is impossible even with external programs (CDBremse, Nero DriveSpeed).

Vibration

When working with badly balanced CDs the drive didn't shine. It vibrated quite much. However, vibration didn't prevent from reading discs at a high speed.

Thermal conditions..

There are no any complains about its thermal conditions. The data were read after an intensive 2-hour operation:


T inside the case - 36°C
T of the upper surface - 40°C
T of the lower surface - 41°C

Possibility to make the drive region free (RPC-1).

According to www.firmware.fr.st, at present it is impossible to make the drive region free.

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