PleXCombo PX-320A IDE DVD/CDR-W - Page 7

CDR Tests - Page 3

- Overburning Tests

Using Nero, we saw that the drive can overburn up to 95mins

- CD-Text Results

We created several AudioCDs with CD-Text enabled. The Plextor PX-320A supports read/write CD-Text AudioCDs without any problems.

- 8cm Media Tests

We used an 8cm RW media and we burned 185MB of data. The Plextor drive didn't have problems to write/read when 8cm discs are inserted.

- CloneCD Writing Tests

The CloneCD v4.0.0.1 reports that the drive supports the DAO-RAW feature. We performed our usual tests and we confirmed that both drives support the DAO-RAW writing mode at the following CD protections: SafeDisc 1.0, LaserLock 1/2 and SecuROM 2.

- SD2 Support

For the SD2 test we used the "No One Lives For Ever", "Max Payne" and "Serious Sam - The Second Encounter" game titles. We used the Plextor PX-320A both as reader/writer at the maximum reading/recording speed. The produced backups didn't playback correctly with various DVD-ROM and CD-ROMs. Using the proper recording software, you can overpass this...

Writing Quality Tests

We used many media and burned them at 20x recording speed. We used Nero 5.5.8.2 as the main CDR software. The produced CDs, were measured from DigitalDrives and results are illustrated in the following table:

The drive really shows a confusing media compatibility even when using 32x or 40x certified CDs. The best results with 74min CDs came from the older Mitsui SG Ultra (16x certified) with 4:30mins. With 80min CDs, the best results come from Ritek 24x certified media. Using either Mitsui or TaiyoYuden 40x certified we got higher recording times (5:20 and 5:52 respectively). We cannot understand why the drive's media compatibility is so limited, for such a low recording speed. Of course Plextor has proven it's continue after-sales support and probably a newer firmware update could improve this.

The writing quality in general is good, although Plextor's improved PCB and black tray allowed us to expect better results…