Plextor releases new firmware version for PX-708A

by **skypx** on Sat Dec 20, 2003 10:38 am

Get it here. http://www.plextor.com/english/support/downloads/PX708A_104.exe

by **NoLimit** on Sat Dec 20, 2003 11:25 am

Change Log :

* Support added for newer 8x DVD+R media
* 8x write support added for additional brands of 4x DVD+R media
* Support added for additional brands of DVD+R and DVD+RW media
* Support added for additional brands of DVD-R and DVD-RW media
* Improved write performance for DVD+R and DVD+RW media
* Improved write performance for DVD-R and DVD-RW media
* Improved write performance for various brands of CD-R media
* Corrected possible conflict between different application softwares when recording DVD-RW media
* Corrected possible "No Seek Error"during write of DVD+R medium while using Nero

Source

by **dodecahedron** on Sat Dec 20, 2003 7:31 pm

weird...it's not in Plextor Europe's website

by **Ian** on Sat Dec 20, 2003 8:12 pm

What? Plextor America released a firmware before Plextor Europe?

by **aviationwiz** on Sat Dec 20, 2003 10:31 pm

I just updated. Haven't burned anything yet though.

by **hoxlund** on Sun Dec 21, 2003 12:05 am

damn it, now someone needs to come up with a cracked firmware

for people like me with a oem plextor

by **vsekh** on Sun Dec 21, 2003 1:19 am

Thanks for the link. I downloaded and applied the firmware. I haven't tried a burn yet.

It is strange that Plextor America released the firmware update before Plextor Europe.

by **dodecahedron** on Sun Dec 21, 2003 5:18 am

Ian wrote:What? Plextor America released a firmware before Plextor Europe?

weird, isn't it? it's usually the other way around.
it's still not on the European site!

by **DVD_ADDICT** on Sun Dec 21, 2003 6:13 am

I downloaded the new firmware and but only burned data to a RITEK DVD+RW 4x speed disc. It took a few seconds for the PLEXTOR to read the DVD+RW disc before it actually formatted and then burned. I'm not sure if this is the norm. Anyone else have similar situation? This was first time I burned data. I'm getting ready to install WINDOWS 2000 PRO so I'm backing up my stuff.

____________________________________
PENT 4 2.4 GHZ
PLEXTOR 708A
PLEXTOR 40X12X40 CD BURNER
PLEXTOR 48X24X48 CD BURNER
TOSHIBA DVD-ROM 1612 (2)
TOSHIBA DVD-ROM 1712

by **skypx** on Sun Dec 21, 2003 11:35 am

DVD_ADDICT wrote:I downloaded the new firmware and but only burned data to a RITEK DVD+RW 4x speed disc. It took a few seconds for the PLEXTOR to read the DVD+RW disc before it actually formatted and then burned. I'm not sure if this is the norm. Anyone else have similar situation? This was first time I burned data. I'm getting ready to install WINDOWS 2000 PRO so I'm backing up my stuff.

____________________________________
PENT 4 2.4 GHZ
PLEXTOR 708A
PLEXTOR 40X12X40 CD BURNER
PLEXTOR 48X24X48 CD BURNER
TOSHIBA DVD-ROM 1612 (2)
TOSHIBA DVD-ROM 1712

It's been so long since I've started using 4x dvd+rw, I can't remember. Usually I will do a quick erase before I start burning. The lead-in time seems to be the same as a dvd+r.

by **bobmitchell** on Sun Dec 21, 2003 6:55 pm

Burned two CD-R's flawlessly...then burned two DVD+R's...one Verbatim and One TDK. In each case...6X until 17% then 8X the remainder of the burn...total burn time 7:42. I used to have more problems with this particular batch of TDK's that I picked up...normally would burn until 95% then slow down to 4X...not this time...I am hopeful. Verbatimes have NEVER been a problem burning at 8X.

Bob

by **SkaarjMaster** on Mon Dec 29, 2003 3:06 pm

Wait a minute, you're saying if I get an OEM version of a DVD burner, then I may not be able to upgrade the firmware? Or is this just Plextor?

by **Noua** on Mon Dec 29, 2003 3:30 pm

Sony used to do that. I don't think that plextor does it but... Pioneer also does it but it's easy to bypass... Anyway normaly that's not a problem.

by **aviationwiz** on Mon Dec 29, 2003 4:12 pm

SkaarjMaster wrote::-? Wait a minute, you're saying if I get an OEM version of a DVD burner, then I may not be able to upgrade the firmware? Or is this just Plextor?

With any drive normally. Someone just hasn't made a crack for the TDK to make it look like a PX-708A.

by **controller2k4** on Tue Dec 30, 2003 6:18 am

aviationwiz wrote:
SkaarjMaster wrote::-? Wait a minute, you're saying if I get an OEM version of a DVD burner, then I may not be able to upgrade the firmware? Or is this just Plextor?

With any drive normally. Someone just hasn't made a crack for the TDK to make it look like a PX-708A.

Actually no reason for a crack.

Download the TDK 1.03 firmware package, and extract it using WinZIP or WinRAR into a folder.

Do the same for the Plextor 1.04 package.

Edit the .ini file in the TDK folder and change all references to 1.03 to 1.04 (there are two of them.)

Copy that .ini file into the plextor 1.04 folder.

Run the updater program.

I have the TDK 840G and it worked perfectly; I am now updated to the 1.04 using Plextor's firmware (and the drive is still listed as a TDK.)

As we know, the drives are the same. A binary check of the firmware file from the last 1.03 update from TDK confirmed this; it was identical to the plextor 1.03 file. The only difference is in the .ini files.

by **JustMike** on Tue Dec 30, 2003 12:26 pm

Here's the ini file to use the Plextor firmware to update the TDK840G drive.

Unpack the Plextor 1.04 firmware with WINZIP or WINRAR

1. Open up the 1.04 version ini file and delete all text.

2. Cut and paste the below info into the 1.04 ini file.
**note** There has to be 5 spaces between the "Inquiry=TDK (5 spaces here) DVDRW840G;" line.

[UpgradeInformation]
ApplicationTitle=TDK DVDRW840G
Inquiry=TDK DVDRW840G;
Version=1.04
FirmwareFileName=Opal_104.bin
FirmwareFileSize=983040
BufferSize=16384
[Option]
Use DVDRW Caution=Yes
Use Binary Information=No

3. save this new 1.04 file.

4. double click the PXFirm3_22.exe file to upgrade.

by **aviationwiz** on Tue Dec 30, 2003 8:54 pm

Hox's upgrade:

I think it's pretty neat that you can upgrade the TDK to 1.04 even though TDK hasn't come out with thier 1.04 yet.

by **hoxlund** on Tue Dec 30, 2003 8:57 pm

course this is gonna be my last screenshot of anything related to this drive, returning it to Staples as soon as i get my NEC 2500a

its been 2+ months, but since its me, i get to return it full money back

by **BMR** on Wed Dec 31, 2003 3:17 pm

hoxlund wrote:course this is gonna be my last screenshot of anything related to this drive, returning it to Staples as soon as i get my NEC 2500a

its been 2+ months, but since its me, i get to return it full money back

What is it that the Nec will do for you, that the Plextor (TDK) cannot already do to a significant degree that it is worth trading the drives ??

BMR

by **hoxlund** on Wed Dec 31, 2003 3:25 pm

8x dvd-r for one, and besides i get a free upgrade to NEC plus money back

by **BMR** on Wed Dec 31, 2003 3:28 pm

hoxlund wrote:8x dvd-r for one, and besides i get a free upgrade to NEC plus money back

I thought that the 8X standard still needs to be ratified , thus the wait for the firmware upgrade on the 851 and the Norcent.

BMR

by **hoxlund** on Wed Dec 31, 2003 3:29 pm

no my new drive does 8x dvd-r burning outta the box

by **BMR** on Wed Dec 31, 2003 3:37 pm

hoxlund wrote:no my new drive does 8x dvd-r burning outta the box

what about the -RW is it 2X or 4X out of the box ??

BMR

by **hoxlund** on Wed Dec 31, 2003 3:39 pm

4x dvd-rw and 8x dvd-r outta the box

by **BMR** on Wed Dec 31, 2003 3:40 pm

hoxlund wrote:4x dvd-rw and 8x dvd-r outta the box

Looking forward to your reports of how good it is particularly on these two aspects of burning. As well, how it compares in burn times and accuracy to the Plextor at 8X on the +R.

BMR

Plextor releases new firmware version for PX-708A

Plextor releases new firmware version for PX-708A

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