Question 1

I am electronically challenged and this is a gift - does it burn, blu ray, dvd and cds?

Accepted Answer

I've burned CD's and DVD's on it successfully.  Additionally, it will "supposedly" burn Blue Ray discs from single to quad layer (25 to 128GB-respectively) but I haven't tested this out just yet.  The quad layer version discs (128GB) are not even available anywhere yet for purchase.  This will make a very nice gift for any tech savvy recipient IMHO.  Hope this helps.

Madison, WI

Question 2

I have the full purchased version of Nero 12. I was wondering if the Cyberlink burning software will conflict with Nero. Also, do I need the Cyberlink burning software or can I just use Nero? Thank you.

Accepted Answer

Not really sure.  I don't have a copy of Nero 12, and I haven't used the included Cyberlink software (I'm sure I installed it though).  I can't imagine they would conflict though; I have multiple burning programs and they all work fine.

On Windows, I use CDBurnerXP and Imgburn.  On Linux, I use Brasero for CD and DVD media and the command line tools for blu ray discs (for whatever reason all the linux GUI tools won't work with blu ray; oh well, growisofs to the rescue!).

I only use the drive for data backups and general burning...my monitors are so old they don't even have HDCP!

Question 3

Is this drive able to burn blu ray movies on x4 Dual Layer Blu ray Discs?

Accepted Answer

I haven't tried any of those kinds of discs yet.  I just installed it into a new build this week.  My first guess is that it will.  However, can your burning software handle it?  Occasionally there are problems burning a copy if the layer breaks aren't copied the same way on dual layer discs.  You might be able to burn a copy but it won't play right at the layer break.  This might be an even bigger problem with 4 layers.  You might have to experiment and see how the copy works.

Question 4

Is this drive compatible with Linux Live CD? I tried booting into a few Linux OS and it would not boot especially Clonezilla?

Accepted Answer

I've had no issues with it booting into any OS from CD/DVD that I've tried.  The issue may not be in the drive itself, but rather in the motherboard or the settings in the BIOs dealing with boot order.  It's possible that the boot "delay" might not be large enough, too.  If the boot delay setting is under 10 seconds, it might not be enough time for the disc to spin-up in the drive, and it would get passed over for boot then.

Question 5

I just purchased this unit and installed it. I already have the full purchased version of Nero 12 installed. The question I have is will the Cyberlink burning software conflict in any way with Nero? Also, do I have to use the Cyberlink burning software that came with it, or can I use Nero? I have not installed the Cyberlink software that came with it yet, but I can't wait to install PowerDVD so I can watch a Blu-Ray disc.

Accepted Answer

You can use both.
Cyberlink is sure to work since it's included.

If Nero finds the drive, it should have a "Test" drive feature. Run the feature so it will identify all capabilities.

I prefer Nero (less phone home to corporate programs running in the background) I always do a Custom install of the software(don't use all of the feature.

Cyberlink works great to and that included package is well worth the include along with the burner.

Depending on the age and of motherboard and it's chipset, both Nero and Cyberlink might tell you that this drive does not feature DVD burning under Win 8 and 8.1.

That won't be the issue if you have it. The issue is which SATA ports you use and the Chipset type (brand) were included on the Motherboard and how the BIOS identifies the  DVD.

good computing to ya!

Question 6

I have an HP Pavilion 2nd gen Intel i3-2120 compute.  I want to put in a blu ray burner that will play and burn blu ray dvds.  Will this Pioneer work in my computer, will it play blu rays right out of the box, after installation?  Will it burn Blu Ray discs?  What is the software that comes with it, what does it do, do you have to download the soft ware for the Pioneer burner to play and burn blu rays?

Accepted Answer

Most of your questions re: compatibility of your computer will be answered by system specs listed on Pioneer web site. Search Google for "Pioneer 15X BD-R SATA Blu-ray Burner BDR-2208". Choose link to Pioneer web site. 
NOTE the video system requirements of the Pioneer Drive. Your system likely has the Intel HD 2000 or HD 3000 video chip built in. Pioneer BDR-2208 minimum requirement is the Intel GMA 45 and your chip is 1-2 generations more advanced. Your HD 2000/3000 chip will likely be OK for the MINIMUM requirement for this to function in your computer but some of the more sophisticated features in the Pioneer such as playing 3-D Blue rays will not likely work due to your video chip limitations.
REGARDING SOFTWARE TO PLAY BLUE RAY COMMERCIAL DISKS:
   Blue Ray burners/players that are "BARE" i.e. are not part of a RETAIL KIT usually DO NOT COME WITH SOFTWARE and therefore cannot play COMMERCIAL/COPY PROTECTED blue ray movies. You must buy or obtain the software separately. The issue is that the software must be able to decode the movie industry copy protection. The Pioneer Retail KIT YOU are asking about DOES include CYBRELINK MEDIA SUITE 8 which will allow this RETAIL KIT to play the Blue Ray disks without purchasing additional software. DO NOT BUY THE BARE DRIVE VERSION OF THIS DRIVE WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT A LOWER PRICE UNLESS YOU HAVE SUCH SOFTWARE ALREADY. Buying software separately is expensive. This makes this retail kit a good buy. Reviews of this drive are excellent though there are always lemons. Note also that the drive does not come with SATA data cable or the SATA power cable. If you are replacing your present drive you can just use the cables from your old drive. If this is an addition you will need to buy the cables and be sure you have an empty SATA connection on the motherboard. If you need another SATA connection you can add some through a PCI/PCI-E card. Power cable can be spliced off another cable with a cheap kit. I would buy this again.

Question 7

I bought one of these and have been having AMSSIVE problems trying to get it to work in 3D Blu-ray via the Cyberlink software (the one thousands of people complain about) on a very modern PC with a 27-inch Asus 3D kit run by a GTX 780 on windows 8.1 Pro x64.
3D does work via NVidia software. And in games. But not via this drive and the Cyberlink-vomit it comes with.

Does it do it or not?

Accepted Answer

Mine works just fine but I didn't touch the cd it came with if you look into cyberinks powerdvd software you will see only certain versions even work with blu ray I'm running powerdvd 12 (i bought it straight from cyberlink) on win 8 x64 running an older nvidia card on a 60" 3d tv its my living room media/game machine

Question 8

Has anyone burned three-layer or quad-layer blu-ray disks with this drive?  Does it do the job well (speed less important than quality, i.e., no coasters as those would be very expensive fails)?

Accepted Answer

All I can say is that all the BD-R media being sold bad reviews almost never references getting bad performance from Pioneer burners, I think the other burners have weaker lasers and can't compensate for lower quality media. I have burned onto 3 different brands of media and have not had one coaster for data recordings out of 60+, haven't made any video BD-R yet.

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