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CDR Tests

The PleXWriter PX-W1610A supports 16x CLV writing. The TDK/Sanyo drives were the first ever to support 16x CLV writing, and Yamaha 2100x series was the first company ever presented 16x writer, which however used partial 16x writing (CAV). The main difference between the 2 technologies is that 16x CLV should be faster around 15sec (in a full 74min CD). Using CD Speed 99 software, we were able to confirm the writing speed results:

- Procedure:
We tested the PleXWriter PX-W1610A with Nero v5.0.3.9, CloneCD v2.8.4.3 software and with the following media: Princo 74min (16x) & 80min (16x), Platinum 80min (12x), Verbatim 74min (16x) & 80min (16x), Mitsui 74min (16x), Ricoh/Plextor/Verbatim 74min HS RW.From our tests, the drive wrote just fine 12x certified media but it is suggested that you use 16x certified media since they are easy to find anyway. Note that the reported CPU usage was measured when using the default "PIO Mode4". If you decide to do the "jumper-hack" and force the drive to work in "UDMA 2" mode the CPU usage will drop down by around 36% percentage and, for example, with 16x writing speed, you will get only 7%!

- Recomended media/support:
Both Plextor Europe and USA sites have lists with reccomended media. In order to get the best possible performance you are advised to check the lists. If you are facing any problem with the drive, Plextor USA has a list with all the possible problems and available solutions.

- CD-R Tests:
We created "DataCD" job with data slight higher than 74mins (74:03:65). We burned the same job with all 4 CDR-W drives:

As we can see all 4 tested, drives gave the same exact burning time (404sec). The PX-W1610A needed one more sec to finish the task, which of course is negligible. The CPU Usage is in the same levels as the competition (9%), but when working in the "UDMA 2" mode, it drops down to 5%!

Now let's see the 16x writing speed performance. The PleXWriter PX-W1610A gave back the lower recording time from what the competition is able to do. The drive took only 5:10mins to finish the task, the Sanyo/TDK drives need 2-4 secs more and the Yamaha 2100E stays back with 14 whole secs (as you should expect it since the drives have different 16x writing technology). The CPU Usage is very good (11%) and can drop down to 7% if you decide to do the "jumper-hack".

- 80min CDs:
As previous we created a DataCD (80:02:16) and used the same media for all burns:

The Sanyo/TDK drives did very well in this test and gave back the lower recording time. The PX-W1610A needs one more second to finish the 80min task and Yamaha 4secs more.

At the 16x recording speed, again the PX-W1610A/Sanyo and TDK drives deliver the lowest recording time (334sec). The Yamaha 2100E lags behind, as it is 19sec slower. The time difference between 16x CLV and 16x CAV writing speeds has increased in this test.

- Overburning Tests:
We used 90 and 99min CDs (from Medea International and Disc 4 You) and using Nero we were able to write up to 95minutes. The Plextor PX-W1610A has increased overburn capability over the previous Plextor models:

- AudioCD Tests:
We created several Audio CDs (including CD-Text). All of the CDs we created were tested with the Plextor PX-40TS and Plextor's CD-Text compatible CD player. From what we saw, everything worked just fine.

- CloneCD Tests:
The PleXWriter PX-W1610A supports DAO-RAW according to CloneCD v2.8.4.2. This was confirmed from our test results. The drive as you have noticed doesn't support simulation, which the competition (Yamaha 2100E) does. That's not a big problem, since the CDR media is very cheap nowadays. As with other 16x writing drives, CloneCD doesn't display the 16x write speed option but if you set the write speed at "MAX" it will do the job fine. Last according to our tests the drive is not capable of making working backups of SafeDisc 2 protected CDs. This means that the drive can backup the CD BUT it will not work in other CD-ROMs/CDR-W drive except itself. The competition also fails to produce working backups (Yamaha 2100E) of SD2 protected CDs.

- Buffer Underrun Tests:
The PleXWriter PX-W1610A includes the improved BURN-Proof technology (with a gap length of 2micro meters), which eliminates buffer under-runs and of course "coasters". The verification from the BURN-Proof Center makes sure that the drive will work fine, even under heavy pressure from the user. Our simple tests confirmed that BURN-Proof is working perfectly with the PX-W1610A.

- Verdict of CDR Results:
The PleXWriter PX-W1610A worked very good in all our tests. The increased 16x writing speed will keep the user satisfied since the drive seems not to have any problems with all inserted media. The drive gave back the lower recording time from the competition and this really can make it the fastest recorder around. Overburning is working great, and you will be able to write up to 95min CDs!

The BURN-Proof technology is there and will save you from any Buffer Underrun. Lastly, CloneCD users will on the one hand be happy since the DAO-RAW feature is working fine, but on the other hand also disappointed since the drive can't make working backups of SD2 protected CDs (however, the competition can't either).