I've just heard the not so new news about Pioneer exiting the optical drive market. Which has pushed me to pull the trigger on that Asus BW-16D1HT that I've had sitting on an Amazon wishlist. I'm a bit behind the curve though, so having read that Pioneer drives are highly recommended, and having read about LibreDrive. I managed to find a new BDR-212DBK for sale. It is almost twice the price of the Asus though. In terms of capability, the Asus looks like it'd be enough for my needs.
So my question is, is the Pioneer worth the premium over the Asus?
NOTE: I feel like it's a bit of a faux pas for a new user to post yet another question like this but I have searched the forums, and couldn't find anyone else who had asked the same thing. So I hope you'll let me slide.
Worth the price (Asus BW-16D1HT vs. Pioneer BDR-212DBK)?
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Re: Worth the price (Asus BW-16D1HT vs. Pioneer BDR-212DBK)?
Pioneer drives are a lot better than any other and besides, the ASUS is just a rebadged LG WH16NS40 anyway.DiscHead wrote: ↑Sat Aug 30, 2025 5:46 amI've just heard the not so new news about Pioneer exiting the optical drive market. Which has pushed me to pull the trigger on that Asus BW-16D1HT that I've had sitting on an Amazon wishlist. I'm a bit behind the curve though, so having read that Pioneer drives are highly recommended, and having read about LibreDrive. I managed to find a new BDR-212DBK for sale. It is almost twice the price of the Asus though. In terms of capability, the Asus looks like it'd be enough for my needs.
So my question is, is the Pioneer worth the premium over the Asus?
NOTE: I feel like it's a bit of a faux pas for a new user to post yet another question like this but I have searched the forums, and couldn't find anyone else who had asked the same thing. So I hope you'll let me slide.
Cheers
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For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com

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For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com
Re: Worth the price (Asus BW-16D1HT vs. Pioneer BDR-212DBK)?
I've thought about it over night... the BDR-212DBK is LibreDrive approved and UHD flashable. Plus it can read and write M-DISC(BD) DL, which the Asus can't. So that's minor plus. At the end of the day though (or the start of the next in my case) I realised I'd rather risk regretting spending the money now, than regret not buying a new Pioneer drive whilst I still could.
I might get the Asus at a later date though, or maybe one of those Verbatim externals.
I might get the Asus at a later date though, or maybe one of those Verbatim externals.
Re: Worth the price (Asus BW-16D1HT vs. Pioneer BDR-212DBK)?
Boy! Your drive can be made UHD capable. Just post your Makemkv info.DiscHead wrote: ↑Sat Aug 30, 2025 8:18 pmI've thought about it over night... the BDR-212DBK is LibreDrive approved and UHD flashable. Plus it can read and write M-DISC(BD) DL, which the Asus can't. So that's minor plus. At the end of the day though (or the start of the next in my case) I realised I'd rather risk regretting spending the money now, than regret not buying a new Pioneer drive whilst I still could.
I might get the Asus at a later date though, or maybe one of those Verbatim externals.