www.makemkv.com

I purchased a Pioneer BDR-S13UBK from Billy last year. I haven't even turned the thing on or even ripped a disk yet. I don't even have the memory to begin that project yet. However, I'm wondering what is the expected life span of these drives? I know there's no set number and hard to answer. But, say someone, as of now, has about 300 discs. If that person were to add, say another 300 discs over the years, can one drive (from Pioneer) reliably rip those?

Where I'm getting at is:
1. Should I get another drive (or more)? Because:
2. My understanding is we can only do this with 1) Older drives 2) Older firmware 3) Not possible with newer drives?

Dom_P wrote: Fri Jul 04, 2025 11:05 am I purchased a Pioneer BDR-S13UBK from Billy last year. I haven't even turned the thing on or even ripped a disk yet. I don't even have the memory to begin that project yet. However, I'm wondering what is the expected life span of these drives? I know there's no set number and hard to answer. But, say someone, as of now, has about 300 discs. If that person were to add, say another 300 discs over the years, can one drive (from Pioneer) reliably rip those?

Where I'm getting at is:
1. Should I get another drive (or more)? Because:
2. My understanding is we can only do this with 1) Older drives 2) Older firmware 3) Not possible with newer drives?

Here's some additional things to add into your thinking. Pioneer recently got out of the business of making optical drives. Once Billycar11's (or any seller's) current stock Pioneer drives is sold, he'll be unlikely to get any more. Since Pioneer drives are considered the best, there's a limited window of time to get 'new' Pioneer drives.

Around 2020 or so, the quality control for LG based drives got a lot worse. LG is still making drives, but the new ones aren't as good as the older ones. In the future, LG will probably be the only source for new optical drives going forward.

I would expect a Pioneer BDR-S13UBK to be able to rip 600 discs. The boy scout in me is happier that I have more than one Pioneer drive.

dcoke22 wrote: Fri Jul 04, 2025 12:30 pm

Dom_P wrote: Fri Jul 04, 2025 11:05 am I purchased a Pioneer BDR-S13UBK from Billy last year. I haven't even turned the thing on or even ripped a disk yet. I don't even have the memory to begin that project yet. However, I'm wondering what is the expected life span of these drives? I know there's no set number and hard to answer. But, say someone, as of now, has about 300 discs. If that person were to add, say another 300 discs over the years, can one drive (from Pioneer) reliably rip those?

Where I'm getting at is:
1. Should I get another drive (or more)? Because:
2. My understanding is we can only do this with 1) Older drives 2) Older firmware 3) Not possible with newer drives?

Here's some additional things to add into your thinking. Pioneer recently got out of the business of making optical drives. Once Billycar11's (or any seller's) current stock Pioneer drives is sold, he'll be unlikely to get any more. Since Pioneer drives are considered the best, there's a limited window of time to get 'new' Pioneer drives.

Around 2020 or so, the quality control for LG based drives got a lot worse. LG is still making drives, but the new ones aren't as good as the older ones. In the future, LG will probably be only source for new optical drives going forward.

I would expect a Pioneer BDR-S13UBK to be able to rip 600 discs. The boy scout in me is happier that I have more than one Pioneer drive.

Great, more money coming out from me.

Got my shipment from Billy just recently. Really straightforward and helpful. The drives were nicely packed, which I appreciate because we all know how packages are handled these days. Used the discount code for MakeMKV, and now I'm ready to archive. Thanks Billy!

I do wish I'd pulled the trigger on a S13UBK last year though, especially with what's going on with Pioneer now. That's what I get for procrastinating.

As a side note to anyone that ends up with an edge case like mine, the drive works great, but the OWC enclosure doesn't play nice with Fresco Logic FL1100 USB chipset. Works fine with the motherboard's ports though.

14 pioneers left then thats it

ok every one all gone no more pioneers with old fw for now
thank you for your business hopefully we will be back soon.
remote flashes will still be available.

Thanks,
Billy

Thank you Billy. I very quickly received my drive and was able to easily install it into the OWC enclosure after bending the tabs. Hoping new drives can be acquired so your excellent service can continue!

Hopefully Billy will get some more drives in... I want a backup ripper.

Arcluna wrote: Tue Jul 22, 2025 1:27 pm Thank you Billy. I very quickly received my drive and was able to easily install it into the OWC enclosure after bending the tabs. Hoping new drives can be acquired so your excellent service can continue!

Hi!

I want to mount a Pioneer BDR-211JBK into the OWC enclosure. How were you able to fit it in? What do you mean by "the tabs"? Tomorrow I will have the OWC enclosure delivered and was wondering how to fit it in as I'd found out this particular enclosure might not be deep enough for a Pioneer drive.

0catty wrote: Sun Aug 10, 2025 7:05 pm

Arcluna wrote: Tue Jul 22, 2025 1:27 pm Thank you Billy. I very quickly received my drive and was able to easily install it into the OWC enclosure after bending the tabs. Hoping new drives can be acquired so your excellent service can continue!

Hi!

I want to mount a Pioneer BDR-211JBK into the OWC enclosure. How were you able to fit it in? What do you mean by "the tabs"? Tomorrow I will have the OWC enclosure delivered and was wondering how to fit it in as I'd found out this particular enclosure might not be deep enough for a Pioneer drive.

See guide below it has pics of it in the guide alternatively you can slot them with a Dremel

Hi Billy!

Thanks for the info. I was unable to delete my post shortly after I found the answer as the post had to be approved. But back to the subject at hand, I think I'm going to go with the pliers method. I even managed to find a photo showing the mod. So for those having the same doubts as me, here it is https://mega.nz/file/mV5mCDhT#T794dO696 ... l_wcIH352A

Hi Billy,
I like to order pionner drive, which one is in stock I can order or when will be avaliable to place order?

Thanks!

cqecho wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 4:52 am Hi Billy,
I like to order pionner drive, which one is in stock I can order or when will be avaliable to place order?

Thanks!

Likely late September

Kudos to @Billycar11 for providing a remote flashing service. Just flashed my BDR-209JBK and made it UHD compatible. Thanks!

Hi Billy!
As previously discussed, just hoping for notification when you get new ones in stock for sale. Thanks!