Plextor's PX-708A DVD±RW - Test Setup, Info and Media Compatibility

Saturday, 11 September 2004 00:05 Last Updated on Saturday, 19 April 2008 16:24 Written by Benjamin "Zeus" Heide
Article Index
Plextor's PX-708A DVD±RW
The Drive, Bundle and Software
Test Setup, Info and Media Compatibility
Performance - CD Read and Write Tests
Performance - DVD Read and Write Tests
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Page 3 of 6

Test Setup:
 

This is a breakdown of the test setup used in this review.

  • ASUS A7N8X Deluxe Rev 2
  • AMD XP 2600+ (Barton)
  • 2 - 512MB OCZ PC3200 Rev.2 Cas 2
  • 60GB Western Digital JB 7200rpm IDE 0 - Master
  • 40GB Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 7200rpm IDE 0 - Slave
  • Plextor Premium 52x32x52x IDE 1 - Master
  • Plextor PX-708A DVD±RW IDE 1 - Slave
  • 2 - WD1200JD SATA drives in RAID 0
  • Sapphire Atlantis 9800 Pro
  • Audigy 2
  • GVC Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
  • Trendnet 22Mb Wireless Ethernet
  • Windows XP SP1 with all available updates
  • nForce 2.25 drivers
  • Nero CDSpeed 2.10
  • 1.03 Firmware (drive shipped with 1.02)
 
Testing Methods:
 

Things have changed a bit as far as DVD/CD testing goes around here. With the advent of Nero's CDSpeed 2.10, it allows you to create data discs, instead of just simulate how they burn. When a Data Disc is created (F9), it actually writes the disc full of data and writes a lead in and lead out. The results are 100% accurate and each disc is filled to capacity with data. Because the discs are completely full, the burn times of the tests may appear to be a few seconds slower than what other reviews are reporting. Their burn times will likely be accurate as well, but they aren't necessarily writing the disc to it's capacity. Please keep in mind that the Nero CDSpeed screenshots on the following pages are not simulations - they show how the drive is actually burning the data to the blank media.

 
Media Compatibility:
 

Here is a breakdown of PX-708A's media compatibility according to PoweRec. Many thanks to BlankMedia for supplying me with a bunch of different media for this review. (If you place an order or 50 pieces or more, and say that you heard of them through BensCustomCases, they won't charge GST!)

  • Arita 4X DVD+R @ 8X
  • Memorex 4X DVD+R @ 8X
  • Ritek 2.4X DVD+RW @ 2.4X
  • Fuji 4X DVD-R @ 4X
  • Ritek 4X DVD-R @ 4X
  • Unknown 4X DVD-R @ 4X
  • Ritek 2X DVD-RW @ 2X
  • Gigastore 40X CD-R @ 40X
  • Mitsubishi 48X CD-R @ 40X

I was quite curious how hard it would be to find DVD+R media that would burn at 8X. Not hard at all. Between Blankmedia (Arita) and Futureshop (Memorex), you should be set.

 
Before we get on to a few CD tests, we'll take a look at a shot from Nero Info Tool.
 
This drive supports all read/write functions available except for DVD-RAM. Very nifty. You can also see that it supports a tonne of write modes. Pretty much the All-In-Wonder of the Optical Drive market.
 
Now that we understand a little more about the drive, we'll head on over at take a look at how it handles everyday CD tasks such as reading, writing, and ripping audio.



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