PX-708A 8x Burning Slow-Down

[aviationwiz]

When I was burning a disk, everything went great until the 90% mark, where it slowed to 4x, I am on firmware 1.01. Anyone else getting this? Media is RICOHJPNR01 Memorex branded. Nero 6.0.0.11

[tazdevl]

Yup with TDK. Now you know why I wanted the 1.00 bin.

I encountered it on more than one disc... otherwise I'd assume it was just a piece of somewhat sketchy media.

[skypx]

I'm experiencing the same thing.... I'm using TDK 4x media.

[aviationwiz]

Hopefully Plextor will patch this up very soon in 1.02.

[skypx]

Maybe if we make a big enough stink, they will release it sooner.

[fishy9]

It ended up my problem had to do with the 1.01 firmware for the 708a. It seems the 1.01 firmware does not work well with the Memorex DVD+R media but the media does work with TDK DVD+R media. Plextor definitely has their work cut out for them for the next firmware upgrade. Plextor also recommends Verbatim media but it looks Best Buy is not selling it anymore because it is not listed on their website and the store near me does not carry the media. Oh well lets just keep the pressure on support.

[aviationwiz]

I contacted Plextor and they said that ATIP is no longer reliable and that they only recomend Verbatim media. I know that this is a firmware problem though. I asked when a 1.02 would be released, and if this plans to be fixed in it.

[skypx]

I contacted Plextor and they said that ATIP is no longer reliable and that they only recomend Verbatim media. I know that this is a firmware problem though. I asked when a 1.02 would be released, and if this plans to be fixed in it.

What was their answer?

[VEFF]

When I was burning a disk, everything went great until the 90% mark, where it slowed to 4x, I am on firmware 1.01. Anyone else getting this? Media is RICOHJPNR01 Memorex branded. Nero 6.0.0.11

I wonder if the slowdown at the end could somehow be intentional; possibly so as to keep write quality consistent on certain 4X media when selecting 8X write speed?

[bobmitchell]

I emailed Plextor about this issue as well. I only use Verbatim Data Life Plus disks...and frankly...I was able to burn a full DVD in 7:30 ...after the firmware update...well over 815 AND the burn does slow down at about 85%. I asked Plextor if this is normal...otherwise...I will return the drive for one with firmware 1.00 I burned a decent amount of disks with Firmware 1.00 and NEVER had any issues. Can't say that now.

Bob


I just got curious after posting this...so I decrypted KPAX and used DVD2One to do a movie only. 4.36 GB which totally fills the disk. As you saw above...the first disk took 8:15. So I decided to burn a few more...the second disk burned at 7:33 and the third at 7:35. I really believe that the drive is a lot more sensitive to the media it burns to than before. Check your media...It looks like the drive may be burning normally. Perhaps each individual piece of media has it'w own flaws, etc. The second and third Verbatim Data Life Plus disks I used were right on speed. The first 12% of the burn at 6X...the remainder at 8X (7.9 according to Nero 5.5.10.42)

[tazdevl]

Everyone email Plex tech support. I've been going around with Jack there and he seems to have the "nothing can ever be wrong with our products" attitude.

[bobmitchell]

I just got an e mail back from him...he claims that I have an IDE bus problem...Says I need to delete my drives and let windows detect...because once you do a firmware flash...could cause problems...One big problem for me...I flashed 5 days ago...I just finished freshly installing Windows XP Professional YESTERDAY...seems that I tried the software that came with the drive (Roxio) and it trashed my Windows install...so I redid from scratch.

Couple of things:

Asus P4T533-C with 3.06 GHZ Hyperthreading Processor
Samsung SM-348B on IDE 1 as Master
Plextor PX-708a on IDE 2 as Master
Western Digital WD1200JB on Promise ATA100 TX2 Controller
No Overclocking

According to Windows...both the Samsung and Plextor are running in Ultra DMA 2 Mode....

I can test using Ahead CD speed...and since the firmware upgrade to the Plextor...I can't test speeds...recognizes the 4.36GB DVD disk as a 4360 MB CD-R

Somethings up...I am getting a reply from Jack as I type...Hang on...Says I may need to add jumpers to the back of the drive...

Makes no sense...I had no problems before the firmware upgrade. Mind you...the drive seems fine...but the buffer goes from 84% to 87% to 91% and then back down and up. Nero 5.5.10.42 could also be the culprit...but I doubt that since I was using it before Roxio trashed my drive. I think the firmware is missing something...AND I believe that any media quality is so so and inconsistent.

Bob

[9to5rip]

I'm having same problems... Memorex+R 4x not closing.

Got email back from Plextor tech support, they don't recommend Memorex. They DO recommend Verbatim.

I just tried the single Plextor+R disk that was supplied with drive, which did work. Out of 10 Memorex DVD+R 4x, I got 5 to burn... only 2 with Nero v6.0.0.11. Couldn't get v6.0.0.15 to close ever.

I'm leaning toward this being a problem with Memorex DVD+R 4x. Anyone having the same amount of problems with other media?

[bobmitchell]

I did some tinkering...here is my last E Mail to Plextor...

OK...one other thing...


I have modular cases on all my computers so I can swap modules in and out if need be. I just removed the Toshba DVD and replaced it with a Samsung SM348B 48 x 24 x 48 x16 dual unit. I did the same exact full 80 minute Music CD in 2:39 (I expect that because of the difference between 40X and 48X). Both units using Taiyo Yuden 48X media. With the Samsung...the buffer never moved off 97%...granted...the Samsung has an 8Mb buffer on the unit. I am not dissatisfied with the Plextor at all. As a matter of fact...I remember you from my days with the 241040A. I think the world of Plextor...I just wanted to raise this issue because since the firmware update...there are some glitches. Perhaps you might get the engineers to figure out what has really changed between 1.00 and 1.01. It effects the drive's sensitivity and the ability to either fill or flush the buffers...I can even move the Plextor to IDE 1...but I don't think that's going to solve the problem...I have just move the Samsung to IDE 2 and did the burn again...the buffer showed 97 to 98% throughout the burn. I'm not trying to point fingers...just want to make you all aware that something may actually be up with the firmware. I don't think that anything is wrong with the drive...otherwise...my burns during firmware 1.00 wouldn't be any good...and they were all beautiful. Perhaps there is an over tweak in the new firmware.

Bob

I really think it's the firmware. They overtweaked...or became too conservative. The initial firmware was GREAT for me. This firmware isn't bad...but I notice a difference...and with the Samsung burning side by side against the Plextor...and the Samsung buffer never even flinched...It's not drivers...or my IDE bus...It's Plextor's firmware.

[VEFF]

I'm having same problems... Memorex+R 4x not closing.

Got email back from Plextor tech support, they don't recommend Memorex. They DO recommend Verbatim.

I just tried the single Plextor+R disk that was supplied with drive, which did work. Out of 10 Memorex DVD+R 4x, I got 5 to burn... only 2 with Nero v6.0.0.11. Couldn't get v6.0.0.15 to close ever.

I'm leaning toward this being a problem with Memorex DVD+R 4x. Anyone having the same amount of problems with other media?

Thanks for the update.

Their comments seem a bit strange, since:
1) Memorex 4X +R is Ricoh just like many of the 4X Verbatim, and I have never made a coaster with Memorex 4X +R, so it isn't as if they're noticeably inferior to the Verbatim.

2) Memorex works fine with firmware 1.00, so I don't understand why with 1.01 they work less well, unless there ar some errors at the end of the discs written with 1.00, which do NOT affect playback on home DVD players.


Maybe if those who updated to 1.01 deleted the drives and let them be re-detected, we could see if the drives work fine again afterwards.

I do agree with Plextor that it is a good idea to remove the drive in Device Manager and let Windows re-detect it, since I once had an issue (not the same as this one, but an issue nonetheless) right after a firmware upgrade with a Sanyo CD-RW drive.
In my case, however, I simply did a quick System Restore to the point right before the firmware upgrade, and the transfer mode went from PIO back to Multi Word DMA (I think deleting the drive wasn't even enough, and that is why I did the System Restore).

Anyway, I will most likely stick with 1.00 for the time being (i.e. until a few more people confirm that Memorex work fine at 8X with 1.01 - I have only seen a few reorts of that so far, which isn't enough to inspire confidence), since I have quite a few Memorex 4X +R left, in addition to my TDK and Verbatim 4X +R discs.

[bobmitchell]

I am convinced that the new firmware has made the drive more sensitive. I burn almost exclusively to Verbatim Data Life Plus DVD+R and can see where from one disk to the next...the burn may or may not slow down. I did three burns of the same movie late last night...first burn took 8:15...mainly because 85% into the burn...it slowed down...actually stopped at one point like it was thinking...then finished. The second burn took 7:33...no stopping...nothing like that...normal...then the third burn took 7:39...started a bit slower...but made it. According to Nero 5.5.10.42...the actual burn speed at the top is 7.9X...

Varies from one disk to another. Can you say bad quality control on the part of the disk manufacturers?

Bob

[skypx]

I am convinced that the new firmware has made the drive more sensitive. I burn almost exclusively to Verbatim Data Life Plus DVD+R and can see where from one disk to the next...the burn may or may not slow down. I did three burns of the same movie late last night...first burn took 8:15...mainly because 85% into the burn...it slowed down...actually stopped at one point like it was thinking...then finished. The second burn took 7:33...no stopping...nothing like that...normal...then the third burn took 7:39...started a bit slower...but made it. According to Nero 5.5.10.42...the actual burn speed at the top is 7.9X...

Varies from one disk to another. Can you say bad quality control on the part of the disk manufacturers?

Bob

As PX-708A owners how can we convince Plextor that this problem actually exists? And more importantly, when will it get fixed.

[bobmitchell]

I think that the issue is really with sensitivity. If the problems persist...simply e mail Plextor at support@plextor.com Be informational. Give as much "data" as you can. Last evening...Jim emailed back and forth at least 5 times with me...and each time...I gave him more to work with. Even he was convinced that the quality of the media is imperative...where in the beginning he gave me all the stock answers on how to reistall the drive. Sorry...but I have just finished a fresh install of Windows XP two days ago...can't be that.

Supply Plextor with facts. At present...Jim's last E Mail stated that Plextor experienced NO slowdowns in the lab after the firmware update. I believe that...I have dealt with Plextor for over four years...and they have always been helpful. Plextor tech support has been some of the BEST I have ever experienced over this time...and I believe that they will look into this. If you have problems...let them know. Give full system descriptions...tell as much as you can in detail and let them play. Hopefully...someone will notice something in one of the configurations that you send...that that will be that. Persistance...don't attack...Don't know what else we can do.

Bob

[technics]

hi
i experienced exactly the same slowdown as you guys but with firmware 1.00. i used sony4x tdk4x and verbatim4x, the same on all discs, i hoped the upgrade to 1.01 would fix that, but it didnt, so i kinda doubt it is the firmware since the problem was allready there with 1.00. it slows down a bit earlier than for most of you guys, at like 60-70%.
the fastest disc i burned took like a bit more than 10minutes. gonna do a fresh install of windows later today, maybe this helps :\
i am not so sure that this is only a firmware related problem...

[bobmitchell]

That's never been an issue for me. With firmware 1.00...I consistently got burns of around 7:30 for a full DVD+R at 8X (remember...I pretty much have a 50 spindle of Verbatim Data Life Plus 4X discs that burn at 8X). With firmware 1.01...I have had one burn at over 8 minutes and everything else in the normal range. With CD-R...I noticed that my drive is much improved with Taiyo Yuden...but very finicky with CMC Magnetics. As a matter of fact...two full 80 minute Music burns...the TY...did 2:45 and the CMC did over 3 minutes...and I could see burn proof kick in a couple of times and slow the burn down. Basically, as many have stated...CMC is NOT the quality of TY.

I ran the PX-708A for almost 10 days on an old installation of WinXP Pro...and the speeds were fine. Flashed the firmware on the old install...still fine...and Now...did a fresh install of XP (Thank you Roxio) and still fine. As a matter of fact...one positive residual of the firmware flash...When I decrypted a movie for test purposes last evening...I got up to 8X read speed after enabling speed read...where before I got 6.9X as top speed. Not all is lost.

Technics...

Do what Jim from Plextor recommends first and see if it helps. Go into device manager and delete the IDE that has the Plexy on it. When you reboot...Windows should redetect and install the drive again. Once done...try the burn. If that doesn't work...then reinstall from scratch...why not try a shorter solution first.

Bob

[technics]

Technics...

Do what Jim from Plextor recommends first and see if it helps. Go into device manager and delete the IDE that has the Plexy on it. When you reboot...Windows should redetect and install the drive again. Once done...try the burn. If that doesn't work...then reinstall from scratch...why not try a shorter solution first.

Bob

right after the firmware flash i rebooted and my drive was redetected by windows, so i thought everything would be allright.
i still gave that hint a try, i also reinstalled nero60011 (deleted all registry entries also), then i tried to burn a sony4x (mcc 002) and to my surprise: it worked just fine 7:53 for a full disc it took kinda long to write the lead-out, but oh well, 8x finally works for me, thats all i'm asking for

[Nhawk]

Jack from email support stinks. He kept telling me it's my system that's having problems and then said I should just return the drive. Phone support guys are much better and if you have a problem that they feel is valid, Engineering gets involved.
One thing I still don't quite like about Plextor is they feel that everybody is supposed to have the highest quality media and they mostly don't optimize their drives for anything besides TY and Verbatim (MCC).
Meanwhile, Ritek, Prodisc, and CMC are the majority of the CDR media in the U.S. and LiteOn seems to thrive on it. (and Ricoh for DVD+R)

[bobmitchell]

I have dealt with Jack before...can't say he is that bad! I did come to the realization that the media DOES mean everything with Plextor drives. Example...when I first got the drive...I went out and picked up a 10 pack of Memorex 4X DVD+RW disks for backup purposes...Now, after having owned at least 4 other Plextor drives through the years...You don't buy Memorex...but Oops...I forgot. Talk about bad discs. One out of three could not close or be written to. My past experiences with Memorex is that the media is cheap and does not conform to standards...Anyway...brought the discs back because the drive didn't like them. Now...on the other hand...the drive will read and write to Imation (CMC Media) in an OK fashion. CMC Media disks tend to have more errors and actually make burn proof kick in more often...which tends to slow the burn down. I did comparison burns at 40X last night with the Plextor and my Samsung SM-348B...with Imation 48X discs. The Samsung won't even write to the Imation 48X disks any faster than 40X...so I get a straight up comparison. Plextor drive burned the discs at 40X and took 2:53. The Samsung burned the 40X at 3:13. When I read the disks for errors on the Plextor...the thing chokes around 70 minutes (with 80 minutes of music) and the read speed slows down to 31X. The Samsung reads straight through the 70 minute mark and dives to 10X then back to 40X...kind of gives you the impression with Imation media. Then I burned the same 80 minutes of music on Taiyo Yuden 48X disks. The Plextor burned the music in 2:45 and the Samsung in 2:38...not too shabby either way. When I read the disks...the Plextor actually finished reading at 42X and the Samsung finished at 49.5X...neither TY disk even burped.

Again...Jack wanted me to put jumpers on the Plextor drive and run it in a different mode...for test purposes. Well...after I had told him last night that my last two burns were both 7:33 and 7:39...I didn't need to. He still wants me to put the jumper on...I said no! Waste of my time and his...the drive is fine when the media is decent. I am contemplating just going out and picking up TDK 4X DVD+R media and trying it for grins and giggles. I still have 35 pieces of Verbatim Data Life Plus 4X (the high end ones) left out of a 50 cake box. These are the ones with the silver finish...no printing. I did find a dud in the box last night...at one point...Nero kept telling me there wasn't enough space to write to the disk...so I thought 5.5.10.42 had the overwrite bug...nope...bad disk. .Ahead CD / DVD Speed kept recognizeing the disk as a 538.50.77 CD-R...while other DVD+R disks were recognized as 4.36 GB DVD+R blanks...just goes to show that you can even buy high end products and get bad pieces.

Whew...I'm out of words...

Bob

[VEFF]

I might just return my Memorex 4X DVD+RW 3 pack then.
I opened the box, but not the individual jewel discs, which are still sealed; hopefully there wouldn't be a restocking fee.

[bobmitchell]

CompUSA took em back even though I had opened each and every disk. When three out of the lot was bad...they just took them back. I'd open em and check them. If they work...keep them...after all...they should be Ricoh brand.

Bob

If you come up with one out of the three bad...take em back...