Variation on the "which one"

[avsgenie]

Sorry to ask a which one question, but at least it is slightly different. I only want to get one drive but am torn between the Plex 712 and the Pioneer 107. If you could only get one drive, would you get one that produces poorer quality but verifiable writes (Plextor/PlexTools) or one that produces better quality unverifiable writes (Pioneer)?

[digitaldoc]

Neither drive is optimal. First you need to assess what you want to do with the drive. Look around, and read the other posts on which one to buy. Also look at the reviews of the drives. Than you will know the right answer for you.

"Seek the truth and you will find it."

[Justin42]

Once you burn a disc, is your ultimate goal to use it (=higher quality burns) or test it (=can verify it)?



I love Plextor, but for my needs (-R burning, mostly), the Pioneers are the way to go. Now if these rumours of Plextor bringing out the Panasonic LF-M721 under their own name are true, I'll be the first in line to get one!

[dolphinius_rex]

I think you should buy an Artec
http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=17340

[aviationwiz]

Ah, yes, Artec for sure.

On a serious note though, what do you intend on using with it?

If you plan on using cheap media like Optodisc, Prodisc, or other crap brands, get the DVR-107, it burns well to crappier media.

If you intend on using descent media like TY, MCC/MKM, or RiData, then get the PX-712A, it writes better to descent media.

I've had more unreadable discs and flat out coasters pop out of my DVR-107 than any other burner, including the PX-708A which had it's fair share of unreadable discs and flat out coasters.

[pchilson]

I think you should buy an Artec
http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=17340

hehe...

[avsgenie]

I could have explained better. My needs are for data backup and Mini-DV to DVD "home videos". Speed is not a great concern. I was intending using the standard branded disks, TDK, Maxell, Verbatim. TY seem a bit thin on the ground and overpriced in the UK. I guess that data integrity is my main goal, which is why, despite all the negative comments, I am still considering the Plextor. The only source I know less than $4 a disc is Plextor +R x8, but would always burn onto at least 2 (possibly 3) different media in case there is a problem with the longevity of one disc type.

Thanks for your advice. I've been reading reviews/forums too long and need to commit.

[dolphinius_rex]

If you really care about quality and compatability, I could not in good conscience recommend the Plextor PX-712a... and I'm saying this as the owner of a PX-712a. I use this drive as a testing unit, since I know if the disc burns and plays back in the drive, that it'll work in anything.... this isn't the sort of thing you want for a personal burner though!

[aviationwiz]

...since I know if the disc burns and plays back in the drive, that it'll work in anything....

No, No, that's Artec your thinking of!

[pchilson]

If you really care about quality and compatability, I could not in good conscience recommend the Plextor PX-712a... and I'm saying this as the owner of a PX-712a. I use this drive as a testing unit, since I know if the disc burns and plays back in the drive, that it'll work in anything.... this isn't the sort of thing you want for a personal burner though!

This may be true for "your" unit but you are generalizing for all units and that is not true. I had one that "fu*ked" up any disc that I put in it but I returned it and the replacement gives me beautiful burns.
I have suggested to you before to RMA your drive...

[avsgenie]

Thanks for your sensible suggestion d_r. I had for a couple of months been reading this and other forums, before posting. Let's face it, most posts relate to the quality/performance of various drives, and drive-media combinations, and it performs a useful function. For people who may have a substandard drive or other problems, it is also useful for comparative discussions.

I was coming to the conclusion that for people with needs beyond ripping movies, where longevity is less of an issue, having 2 units, one for writing and one for testing is pretty much mandatory, but this seems a sad state of affairs.

[dolphinius_rex]

Plextor has asked people to stop RMA'ing their drives... and since my drive seems to represent the bulk of PX-712a's being sold, I think it's a good indicator of what to expect from this model. Who wants to have to RMA their drive 1-3 times to get a working unit? That is not the kind of quality people are supposedly getting when they pay the extra premium for a plextor drive.

So pending the release of Plextor's offical "yes we admit out drives suck without this" firmware, I will not be RMA'ing my drive.

And so far, every PX-712a I've seen, whether they burn media ok or not, has not been a good reader. They have VERY low Jitter/Beta tolerances... but hey, they aren't PI/PIF Errors, so they can't be that important right?

Ask anyone who has actually put the PX-712a through any kind of rigerous testing just how well it performs on reading damaged discs, or discs with high jitter. This can be partially seen here and here, although neither CDRinfo.com or CDFreaks seem to do any kind of jitter or beta testing or make any mention of this limitation.

However, for my purposes, this is actually quite a good thing

[pchilson]

@dolphinius_rex
Well, allrighty then...