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Hey guys

This is truely a sad day, I was getting ready to do some backups, and thought I would wirte a few DVDs with my 716A, but I was only to see a "power regulations error" or somethings like it, it could no longer write

And to make things worse, Plextor no longer makes their own highend DVD writers, and I've always used Plextor because they have always served me well.

My question is, what should I get as a replacement ? one of the things I really liked about this drive, is that the try makes no noice what so ever.

I hope you can recomend me a drive of the same quality as the 716A

TIA

Do you need the advanced features found on the 716A or are you just looking for a decent DVD writer?

Understand how you may feel. My 716 USB/Firewire (UF?) -- the DVD writing part -- stopped working, although the CD writing part was still operating. Plextor informed me that they could not repair it. I chose the 755 USB/Firewire and have been very pleased. There may be other equipment out there that is highly touted, but I wanted to stay with Plextor and it has not let me down. I was extremely displeased by the seemingly short operating life of the 716 which was not "over-used". Still I went back to Plextor for a "replacement". Good luck with whatever you decide.

I don't really need all the nice features, but it's always good to have, just in case.

And for a Plextor replacement, I can't find other than their low-end writers from the 8xx series It can still read and write CD's just not DVD's.

You have to decide what you want:

1) Excellent DVD burning compatibility with a large variety of discs
2) Highest speed dvd burning (also shortest time if you select the right device)
3) Highest DVD burn quality on selected disc types
4) Best dvd reading quality (scratched, high jitter, low reflectance)
5) Fastest dvd ripper (esp for dual layers)
6) High quality cd-r burning
7) Error checking (DVD/PIE/PIF/POE/jitter)

all in all, I don't know of a single drive that manages all of the above among the best 3.

I use Nec/Pio for CD-R burning. LiteOn/Samsung (Mediatek) for difficult dvd reading (some ripping) and wide DVD compatibility. Pioneer for super high quality selected DVD media burning. LiteOn/Benq (not available anymore) for error checking. LG for nothing (sold all of the units I had). (Plextors I burn nothing with in order to try and keep them functioning. Only scanning with plextors)

That's just me. There is a compromise burner in there somewhere that does most of things well or ok, but I just haven't found it myself.

One thing in your favor Moonrise is that you won't be paying $100+ (or $150+!) like we did for the good Plextors. My two cents, if you can use sata drives, get a Pioneer 212 and a Samsung 203B. Neither is a good scanner unfortunately, but both are excellent reader/writer's, and compliment each other's minor weaknesses.

thanks for your answers.

I belive the most important thing is for good writing, so maybe the Samsung would be a good choice

The PX-760 is the replacement drive, if you can find it. Kinda pricy.

If the error was a power calibration error, you may be able to fix it. If it detects the DVD media, but can't write, it may be a dirty lens. You need to remove the bezel and tray faceplate, then the 4 screws holding the cover on. Wipe the optics assy GENTLY with a alcohol wipe or cotton swab with isopropol alcohol, then reassemble. If it initializes with a blank DVD, it's reading the ADIP on the media so may just be a write issue. Since the drive is out of warranty, won't hurt to try.

thanks for the tip I'll try that.

Been looking for 760, but it's no where to be found :S

darn, I tried it, but no change. worth a try.

but I think I'll go for the Samsung 203, people have written a lot of good things about this drive. Willl miss my Plextor :S R.I.P.

will the Samsung work with Mac?