Question for all you Plextor PX-708A Owners?

[kiaconcepts]

I just got this burner after taking a Sony DRU-530A and TDK 840G back because I had major problems. Any way so far I am very happy with the performance of this burner, it writes Memorex DVD+R 4X @ 8X

But my question is I am having problems with the DVD-R they dont write @ 4x with DVD Decrypter only with Nero? My firmware is 1.04 should I update my firmware, I heard sometime you have more problems when you update the firmware? Also Is there a firmware or hack to enable the burner to write DVD-R @ 8X? One more question I have 3 Burners can you use a Controller card for DVD RW? I want to be able to use all my burners, Thanks for you time

PLEXTOR ROCKS

[budz]

LOL! I saw your posting in the firmware site. Here's what I posted to you!
I've read some people have had problems with the latest firmware 1.06 that Plextor has released. What version of Nero burn are you using? I use Nero version 5.5.10.42. Is Memorex the only brand of media you've used? It's best to use the media that is recommended by Plextor. Some Memorex media is manufactured by CMC which is crappy media for Plextor. CMC is not on the RECOMMENDED media list but on the COMPATIBLE list. When I first bought my 708A I used Memorex DVD+R and burned a coaster so I returned them and got refund.
http://www.plextor.com/english/support/media_708.html

Check the media id code with DVDINFO PRO or DVD IDENTIFIER. I suspect it's the media and not the firmware that could be causing your problem. So many variables in burning dvds.

I would suggest you try to burn with IMG TOOL BURN.
http://www.coujo.de/ib/index.php?s=4e26656636ab18d2afbd4538d952cd5b&act=html_include&i..._name=download

I'm not sure but I've read that Plextor recommends you use the 708A on your motherboard IDE instead of a PCI IDE CONTROLLER CARD. I have a Maxtor PCI IDE CONTROLLER CARD but have my Plextor CDRW attached to it.

cdfreaks Plextor forum is down right now so they must be upgrading their website. Feel free to check out Plextor's forum later.
http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?s=ed0843767e459c8ffd3544f0293b894f&forumid=43

There is no firmware or hack to enable 708A to burn & 8x. You can use IMATION (RICOH) DVD+R 4x speed discs that will burn @8x. No 8x DVD-R. Some older dvd standalone players don't playback correctly the 8x burned dvd. Hope this helps you out!

[kiaconcepts]

Thanks for the reply, I use Nero 6.3.0.2 and so far no problems,
you said "I used Memorex DVD+R and burned a coaster so I returned them and got refund" I burned Memo DVD+R and so worked great, What version of firmware are you using, Um I have the same controller card you have, I should be able to hook one of my DVD burners to it, I have 3 now, I will check out the Plextor forum when I comes back, again thanks for the info

[D.A.R.J.R.]

Ive been using the 1.06 frimware without any problems, before this, when I had 1.04 some of my cd-rs would burn with errors.

I dont know if I even want 8x dvd-r because all of the 8x dvd+r Ive made have had troubles playing back in other drives and players. I only hope that they release a dual layer firmware, even at a slow speed.

[axolotls]

Your TDK 840G you returned is a rebaged Plextor 708A.

[kiaconcepts]

Are you sure the TDK 840G is a rebaged Plextor 708A??

[axolotls]

&^^&^

Absolutely.

Just flashed my 840G with the 1.06 firmware for the Plextor 708A.

BTW. THE DRIVE SUCKS SHIT. I am so pissed. The CD writing capabilities die out after a month.. DVD still is good though and it burns 8X DVD+R

but i am about to return it again

NEVER AGAIN will I buy a PLEXTOR or rebadged one EVER.

[D.A.R.J.R.]

&^^&^

Absolutely.

Just flashed my 840G with the 1.06 firmware for the Plextor 708A.

BTW. THE DRIVE SUCKS SHIT. I am so pissed. The CD writing capabilities die out after a month.. DVD still is good though and it burns 8X DVD+R

but i am about to return it again

NEVER AGAIN will I buy a PLEXTOR or rebadged one EVER.

I hope mine never stops burning cds, I burn about 50 in about a 3 month time period. Did you burn more than that? I guess I should only use it for burning dvds.

[richdvd]

BTW. THE DRIVE SUCKS SHIT. I am so pissed.

I agree..I had one and it died after about 150 burns.
If TDK is a rebadged Plextor, I don't think that says much for Plextor.

[axolotls]

I rarely burn CDs. I burn DVDs all the time.

I am still fuming about it since it was a replacement one.

I am going to do one more test with it then return it again. Then I'll put in an enclosure and use it as a backup.

Never had this problem with my NEC>

[Stas]

The burner is great. For those who didn't like it - is there any better burner? No.

I used many kinds of media and the only one which doesn't work was Plextor +R 4x. Now I'm using Memorex +R 4x (@8x), Ritek -R 4x and Princo -R 4x. All works without coasters and plays on my Sony and Mustek players (also on all my friend's players).

From Plextor I have info that 708A will never burn -R at 8x and also it will not support dual layer media.

1.06 firmware works without problems.

Enjoy your Plextor drive!

[richdvd]

edit

[axolotls]

The burner is great. For those who didn't like it - is there any better burner? No.

Enjoy your Plextor drive!

There is always two sides to a coin. Apparantly you needed glasses.

There are many problems with the 708A. If you don't have any, then good for you. You are lucky.

But, if it suddenly fails in the way that has been reported, then come back here and edit your post 8)

I bought DVD / CD writer and the CD portion doesn't work right for me and many other people (CHECK THE PLEXTOR FORUMS on CD FREAKS).

[ukcat]

What is the 1.06 firmware update for? What does it suppose to fix or improve? I burning most 4x at 8x speed with no problems using CloneDVD2 and AnyDVD.

[D.A.R.J.R.]

What is the 1.06 firmware update for? What does it suppose to fix or improve? I burning most 4x at 8x speed with no problems using CloneDVD2 and AnyDVD.

Its only to make your drive more compatible with newer media, DVD and Cd

[Pop's]

????????????????????????????

[kiaconcepts]

axolotls I have couple questions, Could you provide with more info about the TDK 840G being rebaged to a Plextor 708A A link or something would be nice, Thanks

[axolotls]

It's not a secret. It's been posted here and many forums

Here's a few links

http://club.cdfreaks.com/archive/topic/82984.html
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread/t-86925.html

[axolotls]

BTW my TDK/PLEXTOR just died (the CD part)

The amber led flashes twice repeatedly when I put any CD media in it.

According to the Plextor FAQ... It's a laser adjustment failure.

Now I am more pissed.. again.

However, I want to note that the DVD capabilities are still working like a charm.

So, now it's crippled to just DVD functions

[axolotls]

Oh. KIA... I see you are already on the CDFreaks Plextor forums. Good Luck!

[firefoxx]

I have to agree that there are always two sides to a coin. Some people have positive experiences, some negative.

I've had my Plextor 708a since last December and burned hundreds of CDs with it. Also about a hundred DVDs. Still works. However, it doesn't like most (9/11 brands so far) cheap DVD media, since it will burn them OK, but they won't be playable on all my players.

My old Plextor 12x CD writer was with me for several years. Burned several thousand CDs, and still works well.

On the other hand, the old plextor CD-reader tower (7 CD drives, SCSI) had 4 of the 7 drives fail after 2 years of light work.

I caution people to use their head a bit. Not all people will get a great drive, but not all people will get a lemon. Take the comments in these forums with a grain of salt. People who have had bad experiences tend to lose their temper, and those who have a good drive tend to have a bit of brand loyalty.

[axolotls]

^^^ Nods in agreement