Plextor PX-708A or Pioneer A06. Please help me!

[handofthrawn]

My list is between the Plextor PX-708A that can record +r at 8x or the Pioneer A06 which I heard is reliable, can use cheap media, and is all around wonderful.

Now I have an Xbox and a pretty new Sony dvd player so I think I can use the +r combatibility but will the 8x speed really be that wonderful to justify the extra $100? Its not like I need to pump out a 100 dvds as I am a casual anime watcher and computer user.

I think my priority is:
1.) Reliability to burn
2.) Can it use cheap media (Can Plextor more specifically)
3.) Price to performance (I'm guessing Pioneer wins here)


Thanks to anyone who can help me decide. I have read the comments on both drives and both of them people love. The 8x sounds great and would last a long time but I would hate to have to buy $1.5+ dvd blanks and have coasters coming out. Thanks again.

[handofthrawn]

I bit the bullet and bought the Plextor PX-708A after I read Anandtech's review of it. It seems to play more media (nothing worse than ruining $1 media) and it has the potential for really fast burns. Now if I can figure out the right dvd media to buy for it.

[jdizzy40]

I'm using TDK and Memorex in my PX-708A.

[Gil T Pleasure]

Now if I can figure out the right dvd media to buy for it.

The following 4x DVD+R can be written to at 8x:
*Mitsubishi Chemical (Verbatim)
*Ricoh
*Taiyo Yuden

For more info, see:
http://www.plextor.be/english/technical/cdrmedia.html

[MeTaLgEaRsOoTy]

no problems at all with my pioneer 106.
it plays,rips and burns on ALL media,cheap and top of the range.
more than can be said for my friends new plextor.
and teh 8speed copy on his plextor seems to be a bit flawed with media problems,like it only working on +R discs,and only quite expensive ones.
media like the bulkpaq+R seem to be poor,and still skip on playback.
that and the fact that it only seemed to burn at 8speed,for a full 4.7dvd,nothing else.

[Gil T Pleasure]

teh 8speed copy on his plextor seems to be a bit flawed with media problems,like it only working on +R discs

Um, maybe it's because the Plextor 708 can only burn DVD-R at 4x max? Did you expect it to burn 8x on 4x DVD-R disc? :P

[jgandara]

I can burn TDK 4x media at 8x in my Plextor!. Very fast drive! Only DVD+R.

[Vanderlow]

You can get the Pioneer 106D (same as A06) for $145 (free shipping) at Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-129-134&refer=pr1c3grabb3r

[jgandara]

Check this for a review
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,1309409,00.asp

[aviationwiz]

The PX-708A is the best. It works great for me, all of it. 8x burning on 4x media, compatibility with my chipped Xbox, the whole schmere. In order for Xbox to play burned disks, you have to have a mod chip.

[chahn]

Hello,

While I have seen fast speeds, if not consistantly, what is holding
me up is that several of the apps that I use to backup DVDs are
not seeing my Plextor PX-708A properly, or are not delivering the
speeds that I would expect.

Is it known whether or not, or how well, DVDDecrypter/DVD Shrink/
DVD X Copy can use this Plextor drive?

What is the first version of Nero that sees this drive? I have 5.5, and
the Plextor.be website suggests that this version of Nero should see
this drive, but I am not seeing mine.

On a separate note, thank you for the media pointer, but doesn't this
table:
http://www.plextor.be/english/technical/recmedia.asp
include a few others than the other poster suggested as writing at 8X?
(I seem to be reading TDK on the list for example)

Thank you and good luck!

Christopher

[Synergy]

...I have 5.5, and the Plextor.be website suggests that this version of Nero should see
this drive, but I am not seeing mine.

On a separate note, thank you for the media pointer, but doesn't this
table:
http://www.plextor.be/english/technical/recmedia.asp
include a few others than the other poster suggested as writing at 8X?
(I seem to be reading TDK on the list for example)

1. Go to the following link and download the latest 5.5.10.54 version:

http://www.nero.com/us/631933457317970.html

Since the Plextor is still a relatively new burner, you need to find the latest update of most softwares to use it.

2. Athough there are more brands suggested by Plextor as writing at 8X, they are all manufactured by the three mentioned earlier. For example, TDK brand of discs are made by Ricoh/Ritek, Plextor discs are made by Taiyo Yuden. It's not a smart business decision for every brand name to make its own product in today's environment.

[MeTaLgEaRsOoTy]

teh 8speed copy on his plextor seems to be a bit flawed with media problems,like it only working on +R discs

Um, maybe it's because the Plextor 708 can only burn DVD-R at 4x max? Did you expect it to burn 8x on 4x DVD-R disc? :P

---------------


i meant to write HQ+R discs,not just +R.

FU!

[dborel]

From the writers page:

just wanted to contribute some info. This burner can burn @ 8x with 4x MEMOREX BRAND DVD MEDIA ($2-5 Each) as well as the much cheaper Brand 4x MATRIX BRAND DVD MEDIA. ($.89-$1.09 each)
I figure id share this information because a lot of people arent aware of how sick this burner is. it writes under 8 minuts all the time.
You can also purchase the DVD's from https://www.shop4tech.com/go/search
when in this screen, go to CATEGORY and select +DVD+R 4X 4.7GB

I bought these and they work just great, full DVD in about 8-9 minutes!!

- Dug

[tompika]

Its not only the 8x writing. Read this review

http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=203

[jdenault]

I've been using the Plextor for about three weeks now, backing up my DVD collection whenever I get the chance. I use it only for burning, no ripping or reading. It works very well, as I think I have burned one coaster over about 45-55 successful burns. So far I've been using Verbatim DVD+R's. It takes almost exactly 7 minutes to burn an entire disc.

I'd say if you have the money, go for the drive. If you really are on the fence, and can see yourself possibly buying a new drive in a year or so, then go with the cheaper alternative for now & see what new products come out in a year.

[Gil T Pleasure]

FU!

Anger is the path to the dark side. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. Suffering leads to fear. I sense much anger in you.

[chahn]

Hello,

These manufacturers were pointed out as making DVDs capable of
burning at 8X:
====================
The following 4x DVD+R can be written to at 8x:
*Mitsubishi Chemical (Verbatim)
*Ricoh
*Taiyo Yuden
====================

I have looked in my usual places on the web and cannot find discs from
these manufacturers (or the others, ie TDK, that use their stuff) at a
good price.

Where would the group recommend going to get media that can burn
at 8X?

Thank you,

chahn

P.S. I wanted to let you know that Best Buy has the spindle of 50
memorex 4X discs for $60.00 This is one of the best prices for these
disks that I have seen. (can anyone comment of whether Memorex are
good or bad? I have certainly had no problems with them) Also, what
about Fuji discs? They are also occasionally available at a reasonable
price. Thanks again!

[budz]

Just wanted people to know that the PLEXTOR 708A is selling at mwave.com for $201.00. That's the cheapest price I've seen so far. That price is good till November 14, 2003. I'll be ordering mine tomorrow!!!

[rprice54]

[quote="Synergy"]

...I have 5.5, and the Plextor.be website suggests that this version of Nero should see
this drive, but I am not seeing mine.

If the update doesn't do it for you, I think i read somewhere you may have to reinstall nero AFTER the drive is installed for it to pick up properly.

[chahn]

Wow, this is something of a newbie question....but when launching
an app it offers to to on DMA on my plextor PX-708A and my sony
CD-ROM.

Should I do this?

I would prefer to find where this is controlled and turn it on myself.
Where can this be accessed? (I thought it was a jumper...)

Can someone point me to a page that describes how to optimize
my plextor's performance? I seem to be getting variable performance.
(I know about the hold the button down for 3 seconds trick)

Thanks alot!

chahn

[Gil T Pleasure]

How to enable DMA on your Windows PC: http://www.2e.org/dma.htm