Pioneer's ultraslim DVR-XD09 burner is more jewel case than drive

While ASUS is busy stuffing DVD burners into Eee PCs, Pioneer and others are working hard to make the integrated optical drive a thing of the past. The freshly announced XD09 measures in at 5.24 x 0.58 x 5.24-inches and 8 ounces, or slightly beefier than your average CD case. Pioneer claims that it's the most compact drive design yet. Essentially this means if you can carry your optical media around with you, then you can carry the player for it too. Power comes via the USB 2.0 connection, and all the usual DVD plus, minus, reading, writing, dual-layer mumbo jumbo is retained with top writing speeds of 8x on single-layer and 6x on double-layer media. This inspired minimalism can be yours for $79.99 in August.

[Via Hot Hardware]

[The Mad Mule Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:06PM]

Intriguing, and $80 isn't too bad of a price to ask for.

[Poop Chef Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:07PM]

I agree. They must be really nice people.

[monkey with glasses Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:11PM]

Make it Blu ray comp. and it will get even better.

[TurboTalon Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:22PM]

I don't want to get called an Apple fanboy... but didn't they get bashed really badly for wanting 99 for the external dvd burner when the Air came out. I didn't follow it too closely and I'm sure it's a big larger than this.. but same principles?? Probably should just left that name out of the comments lol =(

[Andune Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:38PM]

@David:
I still prefer the MacBook Air Superdrive design over this, is it really that hard to make a small slot-loaded burner without that vulnerable lid Pioneer?

[CtrlBurn Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:40PM]

$100 for an external DVD burner is too much. $80 for an external DVD burner that's this small and powered by USB is not bad.

[egress63 Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:42PM]

A top-loading DVD writer? Are you serious? or just kidding?

[TurboTalon Posted Jul 29th 2009 2:16PM]

For me 80 and 100 are in the same "price bracket" so it really comes down to form and function. I don't really care either way because I'm counting on flash media being the standard soon, but just wanted to point something out lol.

[Reluttr Posted Jul 29th 2009 4:17PM]

@David

If I remember right, the super drive only works with the AIR, where this will work with everything. On a side not HP has a slot loader about this size and about this price "on sale" and it does burn dvd's to. Its here, http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/computer/categories/cd_dvd_media/1/accessories/NP029AA%2523ABA

Keep in mind its regularly 180, but now its 80. Not bad if you ask me

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 3:07PM]

MiniDisc did take off in Europe and Asia. Plenty of people still use them, particularly as a recording format. And there is a data MiniDisc format as well. Unfortunately American-centric news tend to ignore other countries.

[disophisis Posted Jul 29th 2009 3:24PM]

agreed - looks pretty slick.

[kornchild2002 Posted Jul 29th 2009 4:38PM]

@David:
People were complaining about a $100 external drive that was made for a $1500+ notebook. At that price, many people thought that the drive should have been standard. This is more for netbook users who are spending $300-$500 for their computers. $80 is a lot easier to spend knowing that your computer set you back by only $400.

[mrgabrielserna Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:07PM]

This kinda reminds me of an early "discman" sony used to sell. kinda cool for those that need a optical drive since it is powered over usb and that price isn't bad. Still I have to wonder were the "mini-disc" optical drives are. The matrix had them, Johnny Mnemonic had them and so did Strange Days :)

[Ken J Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:12PM]

Look at your tray in your CD/DVD drive. You see that smaller recessed circle? That's your mini-disc drive. Laptops don't need the recess since you mount the disc directly to the spindle. Most drives (except most slot loads) are capable of using mini-discs.

[KidDynamic Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:28PM]

He means this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc

Not even close to what you're talking about, Ken.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 2:32PM]

ken you just embarrassed yourself in front of the whole internet

[J Acheson Posted Jul 29th 2009 2:36PM]

In a nutshell, MiniDiscs never took over because they were a closed format you couldn't write data to. They were locked into being used as audio-only. Sony would go on to make the same mistake with UMD ten years later.

Though, to Sony's credit, they also were involved in the creation of the CD, DVD and Blu-Ray formats, all of which have been successful open formats.

[Michael Scrip Posted Jul 29th 2009 4:10PM]

@Jon Acheson >> "In a nutshell, MiniDiscs never took over because they were a closed format you couldn't write data to."

Excuse me? MiniDiscs *were* recordable. You could buy blank discs and recorders. I worked in a theme park that used MiniDiscs in all the stage shows. And Wal-Mart still sells blank MiniDiscs.

The first CDs were read-only too... but then we got burnable blank CDs a decade later.

I agree MiniDiscs were a failed retail music format... but MiniDiscs were, in fact, recordable.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 6:20PM]

@Michael Scripp, Jon Acheson is actually correct. For a very long time, MiniDisc was not useable to write any _data_ to. It was only useable for audio data. You could not stick any arbitrary file on the disc, such as Word or Excel documents. In addition, in most cases you could not transfer audio files either, and the only audio codec supported for a long time was proprietary too. It couldn't get more closed. It sucked for data, for a period of time well into this decade.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:10PM]

Is this what they are spending their time on since they stopped producing plasma televisions?!?!

[FuturePastNow Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:10PM]

Reminds me of the slim PS2's DVD drive, without the PS2, of course.

[Agent007 Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:19PM]

Tiny, power over USB, and only 80 bucks. Good deal. What's it made of? Looks fragile.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 7:18PM]

Plastic most likely...

[bebop Posted Jul 29th 2009 8:49PM]

Carbon nanotubes and unicorn juice.

[TheMike Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:53PM]

Bebop, it's been an exceptionally long day at work and you're comment made me laugh to a point where it reminded me that some people actually do bleed red.

When I inevitably take over the world, I endeavor to make your death quick and painless.

[Ryan P Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:27PM]

This takes away a good portion of the problems I was having with getting a netbook/tablet without an optical drive. Now I can get one, once I have the money.

[jayayess1190 Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:29PM]

Did you know that there are already plenty of small usb powered portable dvd drives?

[Mikerman Posted Jul 29th 2009 2:16PM]

Good design, good function, and exceptional price--great to see and this is what innovation for consumers is about! A perfect solution for netbooks (and, for that matter, general use).

[TMoney2007 Posted Jul 29th 2009 3:25PM]

Umm, the product in the link you gave is not slot loading, but whatever.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:37PM]

This one looks simple/black enough to accompany a Thinkpad X series.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 5:43PM]

Looks like it may be time to finally hack my AppleTV to play DVDs via USB. The MacAir external drive can't but maybe this one can.

[PeggedLegs Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:44PM]

This will work for me. My slot-loading drive on my Mac went out a few months ago, and I don't quite have the $300 to get it fixed. I love apple, but hate their costs... if it's compatible with mac, I'm all for it. (hint, hint, Pioneer)

[jeremymc7 Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:51PM]

I got an external USB powered Slot-Loading BLU-RAY reader and DVD writer external for under $100 new retail months ago. Has Blu-Ray, similar size, and without that breakable flip lid for $15 more. Sure it wasn't Pioneer but it had Blu-Ray !

[ezelkow1 Posted Jul 29th 2009 2:10PM]

Got any links to it, sounds like it could be useful

[jeremymc7 Posted Jul 29th 2009 2:26PM]

Look's like it's now $109.95. Must have been on sale when I got for under $100. Spolier non-Apple fans website is Mac centric but drive works perfect on both my Windows and Mac systems.

http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_2_52&products_id=406

[Khav Posted Jul 29th 2009 2:36PM]

I agree, that sounds like a really good deal. Care to elaborate?

[Khav Posted Jul 29th 2009 2:36PM]

Never mind, looks like I didn't refresh or something.

[KAL326 Posted Jul 29th 2009 3:49PM]

A blu-ray slot loader on a Mac-centric e-tailer site....isn't it ironic?...

[ctyrider Posted Jul 29th 2009 10:15PM]

It's not slot-loading, it's a tray loading drive. And you got ripped off - I got a similar panasonic BD/DVD reader on eBay for $65 shipped.

[jeremymc7 Posted Jul 30th 2009 10:45AM]

Actually mine is slot loading so they much have changed. Personally doesn't make a difference to me in an external.

And no I actually didn't get ripped since it's all a CD/DVD burner. You state yours is a reader so adding burning is going to add to the price. And I bought mine almost six months ago. BD has come down substantially since then.

But thanks for playing.

[Aaron CT Posted Jul 29th 2009 6:36PM]

That looks pretty sweet.

[atuchan Posted Jul 29th 2009 7:08PM]

As fast as RPC-1 crack is available for this device, I will buy it!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 9:05PM]

Funny, I picked one of these up at one of my many local Best Buy locations last week, for the listed $79.99. Its FCC ID label clearly states "Manufactured June 2009".

@Michael Zupcak: the base is metal, but the lid is plastic. It is pretty solidly built, and doesn't flex. I feel confident it isn't going to die on me when I want to carry it with my Dell Mini 9.

[uShak Posted Jul 29th 2009 11:31PM]

Already at Best Buy too
Along with a Toshiba, LG, HP, and ASUS ones. All around the same price.
the ASUS one stands out in terms of prettiness though, with it's glossy black finish and vertical design.

[gohan224 Posted Jul 30th 2009 12:29AM]

Thats just plain cool as hell! i wont ever get it probably, but still, its cool

[Pies Posted Jul 30th 2009 11:21PM]

It's the ultimate optical drive of the future. I don't need it, but I still want it.

[Chull Posted Aug 31st 2009 10:36AM]

I too got one at Best Buy.
Be Forewarned: The included Neroe Essentialls will not let you play DVDs unless you're willing to pay an extra $26!!
I just downloaded the 1st (CrapWare full VLCFree) freeware DVD player from the net I could fine and it plays DVDs just fine. (I think/hope I avoid all of the CrapWare in it!) I'm sure there are other better ones out there.
I don't know how well Nero Essentialls does with burning DVDs and CDs, but will find out.
I think it is rediculous that Pioneer sells this with cripled soaftware!
But other wise I've been showing it to everyone! "Mine is Smaller Than Yours!!' ;-)
Now I'm going to figure out a hanger of some sort to hang it on the back of the lid when in use!