CDRLabs.com

New and improved version of PlexTools Professional:

http://www.plextor-europe.com/press/rel ... ional%20XL

New features offered by Plextools Professional XL (PTP XL)

New layout:
Larger and resizable windows
Independent windows allow optimized view
Multi-language ready Professional graphics

Additional audio functions:
Support for Cue-Sheet

Audio CD & CD/DVD ROM Maker:
Additional project: DVD-Video
Projects can be saved and loaded

New functions:
Extract audio tracks on sector level
Built-in automatic online check for software and firmware updates
Command line options allow the start-up of PTP XL with a certain function

Unfortunately it does not look like PlexTools owners are going to get a free upgrade. Plextor wants $$$ for this one.

Ian wrote:Unfortunately it does not look like PlexTools owners are going to get a free upgrade. Plextor wants $$$ for this one.

PlexTools Professional XL 1-9 $51 USD (Approx)
PlexTools Professional XL 10-24 $41 USD (Approx)
PlexTools Professional XL > 24 $33 USD (Approx)

PlexTools Professional 1 $15 USD (Approx)

What a RIP!!

MB

How do some of these features cater to "professional" customers? Larger windows? Ability to save/load projects (ok, well, that's nice but that should've been in PT since the beginning)?

The only semi-interesting feature is the sector-level audio extraction, but what good is that (except maybe recovering heavily damaged audio CDs?)

I'm currently in the midst of a bit of a "Plextor Reborn" stage, after avoiding their drives for years (after swearing on them for years) I've just picked up a Premium and a 716, but who are they kidding?

Is this (basically) the end of PlexTools "free"?

I don't get why everyone here and at CDFreaks are getting in such a hissy fit about PTP XL. If you want the extra features, pay for it; if not, stick to normal PlexTools Pro. There's no indication that Plextor plans to stop development on the regular version.

I think because it's SUCH a minor upgrade, including some things that should've been in Plextools for years, that they're charging so much money for...

If it was becoming more of an all-out authoring/mastering tool, I could see the charge, but to add more windows to the interface and allow CUE files??

But who's forcing anyone to upgrade from PTP to PTP XL?

Well the fact that they have a price for PlexTools Pro indicates that they might begin charging customers for it.

MB

That's for people who don't have PlexTools and need the full version. The upgrades to those who have an existing full version of PTP are still free.

A couple of pictures for you...



Demo or purchase it? Note that if you demo you have 14 days.



Registration is done via the web.



More to come..

Here's the main interface. While the various panes are now resizable windows, it still looks very similar to the old versions IMO.



This surprised me. A new firmware update for my PX-716A? I thought 1.04 was the latest. Where'd 1.04u come from?

Aside from a better looking graph, the Q-Check tests haven't changed much.



One of the new features:



Simply drag and drop your VOBs and stuff into the compilation and then burn.

Ian wrote:Here's the main interface. While the various panes are now resizable windows, it still looks very similar to the old versions IMO.



This surprised me. A new firmware update for my PX-716A? I thought 1.04 was the latest. Where'd 1.04u come from?

1.04u - incremental update for better SATA compatibility, IIRC.

PX-716A/SA/UF V1.04 (updated)

Improvements:
Compatibility with some motherboards

PX-716A/SA/UF V1.04U

MB

I see two possibilities here:

1) Pure added revenue. Plextor is hoping that they could gather some extra revenue from this and hopefully ensure continued support for the Utility itself. I mean, let's face it: how many companies officially produce an extra utility with as many functions as Plextools and give it away "for free" with the drive? Yes, I know the "Plextor drives are already expensive, software dev is included in the price." But what if it is not? What if they just try to recoup the costs of development or are faced to terminate it in the future? It's not like optical market isn't about fierce price competition and lowering margins.

2) They need to license something to the software and licenses cost a lot. I don't know what this licensing could be and looking at the feature list I see very little possibility for this being the case. Still, another scenario to think about.

Whatever the reason, I'm one of those who will probably scoop up the money for the upgrade.

If not for anything else, then to try and ensure that all of us (even those not paying) will hopefully be able to use Plextools in the future too.

I mean: Optorite did terminate their UM Doctor series and for all I know, kProbe is no more either.

Although I love CD DVD Speed (and starting to use PXScan), I think it's very good there are choices available on the market.

regards,
halcyon

Ian ~

Where can I download the demo?

MB

Optorite didn't terminate UM doctor.
UM doctor is from SANYO.
So it supports systems based on SANYO reference designs.

K-PROBE isn't officially supported by Lite On.

MadBurner wrote:Where can I download the demo?

Plextor Europe sent this version out to a limited number of people. Everyone else will have to wait until March.

Do Plextor Fan(atic)s get it for free?

aviationwiz wrote:Do Plextor Fan(atic)s get it for free?

Maybe you would have if you hadn't spoken against the PX-716a

Ian wrote:Plextor Europe sent this version out to a limited number of people. Everyone else will have to wait until March.

I figured you might say that

MB

How does the graph look better??? It will result in larger png files, that's all!

It's actually good to see that the 4500 lines of code which pxscan/pxview consist of are still useful

alexnoe wrote:How does the graph look better??? It will result in larger png files, that's all!

Actually, it doesn't support png anymore. Only bmp, jpg and emf.

Well, you can make a screenshot and use any other app to make a png from it

But whatever compressed format you use, besides pcx, it will be larger

The demo is now available:

http://www.plextools.com/downloadfiles/ ... 0trial.exe

Now aviationwiz can stop asking me for a copy.

I was thinking that when I saw it on the front page. 'Gee, Ian must be happy, I won't be bugging him for it.'