Pioneer BDR-X13U-S and BDR-X13UBK USB 3.2 Gen1/2.0 External BD/DVD/CD Writers

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. unveiled its 2 external BD/DVD/CD writers with USB 3.2 Gen1/2.0 interface for Windows/Mac, both utilizing proprietary company’s technology to achieve both high reliability and 16x BD-R writing speed ⁽¹⁾: the BDR-X13U-S, a performance model offering reliability and stability, and the BDR-X13UBK, a standard-setting model.

With the popularity of work from home, there are more occasions to store large amounts of data at home such as work data and recordings of online meetings.

BDR-X13U-S and BDR-X13UBK are read and write compatible with BD and BDXL standard discs and archival optical media M-DISC. In addition to conventional high-precision writing speeds such as 16x BD-R ⁽¹⁾, the new products support 6x writing speed to M-DISC (BD) Single Layer 25 GB and M-DISC (DVD), achieving higher writing speeds and improved writing quality ⁽²⁾. In addition, the BDR-X13U-S is equipped with features for enjoying music on a PC, such as PureRead 4+ ⁽³⁾, which faithfully reads audio CD data, and RealTime PureRead ⁽³⁾, which reduces the frequency of data interpolation in real time. BDR-X13UBK is equipped with PureRead 3+ ⁽³⁾.

In terms of product appearance, the front bezel and tray cover have been redesigned, all while maintaining the quietness and dust resistance. For BDR-X13U-S, the simple design of smoked acrylic with a hairline finish from which blue light seems to emerge with floating blue light and line accents creates a high-quality feel. For BDR-X13UBK, blue LED lighting and a hairline finish together with grooves on the sides contribute to the attractive design and improve rigidity.

Other features include a new Custom Eco function that reduces the drive’s power consumption.

Category	Model ≠	Type	Suggested price	Planned release date
External BD/DVD/CD writer	BDR-X13U-S	Advanced model	$230	October 2022
	B DR-X13UBK	Standard model	$160

Features:

16x BD-R Writing ⁽¹⁾ and BDXL Support ⁽²⁾
Compatible with all BDXL Blu-ray media ⁽²⁾. Up to 16x maximum write speed on BD-R Single Layer (SL) 25GB media ⁽¹⁾, up to 14x maximum write speed on BD-R Dual Layer (DL) 50GB media, up to 8x maximum write speed on BD-R Triple Layer (TL) 100GB media and up to 6x maximum write speed on BD-R Quadruple Layer (QL) 128GB media.DVD-R discs (Single Layer: 4.7GB) can be written at up to 16x, while music CDs can be read at up to 48x ⁽⁴⁾ speed.

Versions of PureRead 4+ and RealTime PureRead (3)（BDR-X13U-S）
When read errors caused by scratches or fingerprints occur when importing (ripping) audio CDs, using this function allows for automatic detection of the disc state, adjustment of the read method using an original algorithm, and then re-reading of the disc, minimizing error data interpolation. The algorithm utilized in PureRead 4+ is also used in RealTime PureRead, reducing the incidence of data interpolation in real time and playing back audio CDs with the original sound data. BDR-X13UBK is equipped with PureRead 3+ ⁽³⁾.

Can be placed on either side
Comes with four insulators for use in a horizontal configuration and eight for use in a vertical configuration. In addition to the horizontal configuration, the drive can be placed vertically on the left or right side of the PC, allowing you to use it in a configuration that suits the layout of your workspace.

Compatible with high-speed M-DISC writing for long-term data archiving ⁽²⁾
This product is compatible with M-DISC optical media for archiving, developed by US-based Millenniata Inc. It now also supports 6x writing on M-DISC (BD) SL and M-DISC (DVD).

M-DISC format supports M-DISC DVD/BD media (including 25GB Single Layer (SL), 50GB Dual Layer (DL) and 100GB Triple Layer (TL)).

Custom Eco function helps reduce the drive’s power consumption ⁽⁵⁾
If the drive does not receive any commands (instructions for operation) from the PC for a specified period, this function will reduce the drive’s power consumption, such as by stopping the disc from rotating or reducing the disc rotation speed. Shortening this specified period will make the drive enter the power saving mode earlier.

AUTO power supply function links with PC power to provide power savings ⁽⁶⁾
The drive power is turned on and off according to the power supply of the connected PC, keeping unnecessary power consumption down.

Drive function setting tool, Pioneer BD Drive Utility, available for download free of charge
PureRead, RealTime PureRead and Custom Eco function can be configured as well as enabled and disabled with the Pioneer BD Drive Utility.
* Drive Utility for macOS Catalina 10.15 or later is Drive Utility Lite.
* When using Drive Utility Lite, operate without a disc inserted.

CyberLink Media Suite 10 ⁽⁷⁾ for Windows OS is available for download free of charge using bundled product key.
*Application software for macOS is not included.

For BDR-X13U-S :

• PowerDVD 14：Ultra HD Blu-ray ⁽⁸⁾ compatible, BDXL compatible, BD/DVD playback software
• PowerDirector 19：Video editing and BD/DVD authoring software
• Power2Go 11：BDXL compatible disc writing software
• LabelPrint2.5：Label design and printing software
• PhotoDirector 10 LE：Photo editing software
• AudioDirector 7 LE：Audio editing software for video
• ColorDirector 5 LE：Color editing software for video
• MediaShow 6 LE：Image and video management software
• Screen Recorder4：Live streaming and screen recording software
• MediaEspresso (30days trial)：Image transformation software

For BDR-X13UBK :

• PowerDVD 14：BDXL compatible, BD/DVD playback software
• PowerDirector 19 DE：Video editing software
• Power2Go 11：BDXL compatible disc writing software
• LabelPrint 2.5：Label design and printing software
• PhotoDirector 10 LE: Photo editing software
• AudioDirector 7 LE: Audio editing software for video
• ColorDirector 5 LE：Color editing software for video

⁽¹⁾ The dedicated high-speed filter driver for these products must be installed. The maximum 16x writing speed for BD-R discs (Single Layer: 25GB) may not be available when the high-speed filter driver is disabled. Mac users do not need to install the high-speed filter driver. See webpage   
⁽²⁾ For details on supported media,refer to the media list webpage.
⁽³⁾ Not all discs or all portions of discs may be playable if they are too damaged.
⁽⁴⁾ When the PureRead function is turned on, priority is given to reading accuracy, and the maximum playback speed of CD audio and CD-ROM is set to 40x. The PureRead function is turned on as a default setting. This function can be configured using Pioneer BD Drive Utility.
⁽⁵⁾ Custom Eco settings can only be changed in Windows. After changing the settings in Windows, the device can be used with a Mac.
⁽⁶⁾ Drive power is turned off when the USB is not connected or when the drive detects that the connected PC is off.

Specs/Operating environment

Interface	USB 3.2 Gen1/2.0
Mounting orientation	Horizontal or vertical*9
Dimensions	160mm(W)×50mm(H)×220mm(D) 6-19/64in.(W)×1-61/64in.(H)×8-21/32in.(D)
Drive net weight	1.1kg (2.4 lbs)
OSs	Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1 OS X El Capitan 10.11, macOS Sierra 10.12, macOS High Sierra 10.13, macOS Mojave 10.14, macOS Catalina 10.15, macOS Big Sur 11, macOS Monterey 12
Included Accessories	・Owner’s manual (including application product key and warranty information) ・USB cable (USB Type-A → USB Type-B) (1m (3ft. 3in.)) ・AC adapter (1.2m (3ft. 11in.)) ・Power cord (0.5m (1ft. 8in.)) ・Insulators for horizontal placement × 4 ・Insula

Product comparison chart

^*Supported on Windows only. As to Custom Eco function, Custom Eco settings can only be changed in Windows. After changing the settings in Windows, the device can be used with a Mac.