Pioneer 10X DVD-104S IDE Drive
Now in their 5th generation status,
computer based DVD-ROM drives have not only progressed to dizzying speeds,
prices have plummeted to new lows—most in the under $100 category. The retail
Pioneer 10X drive is just slightly over that magic $100 spender’s breaking
point; use a little online buying savvy and you can locate pricing just under
triple digits for the fastest available DVD in the market.
Selling
in two flavors, slot and tray load, Advanced
Design of Kentucky provided us with the
DVD-104S slot load model. I’ve used cartridge and tray loading CD type devices
before but never a slot load that was not in a car.
The DVD Region Fiasco
The powers that regulate DVD copyrights have
imposed the above ridiculous money making scheme. Imagine if you move from
one region to another more than five times. All DVD’s sold after January 1,
2000 must comply with a maximum of 5 region "switches." After the
fifth switch, it’s permanently stuck in the last region, only capable of playing
those region’s DVD’s. If this upsets you as it does me, too bad. You simply
must purchase yet another unit.
This crap would never apply to CD-ROM’s. Can you
imagine the implications? A Windows 98 CD from the U.S. wouldn’t install in
a machine sold in the U.K. and vice-versa. What’s worse about this scenario
is that without installing and running either a DVD region checking program
or attempting to play a DVD, you can’t even check to see what region your
player is currently locked to. So, if you’re daring enough, flash the BIOS
for "region free" play by clicking here.
I assume no responsibility or tech support for inoperable drives.
