Plextor PX-708A review thread (ordered mine today - Sept 2).

[MadBurner]

Just ordered mine from LiveWarehouse for $259 plus $11 UPS Ground shipping!!

[babar]

Just ordered my 708a. It was shipped this evening, and stuff from Newegg usually arrives 2 days after it's sent.

babar

[VEFF]

I have put my comments in aviationwiz's thread.
http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic. ... 7&start=25

To summarize:
My 708A was able to burn fine using three of four burning programs I have tried so far (including Stomp RecordNow Max 4.5 and Nero 6.0.0.11).
And it burns successfully at 8X to Verbatim 4X +R, TDK 4X +R and Memorex 4X +R media.

[MadBurner]

Too many problems trying to place my order with LiveWarehouse.com so I cancelled and ordered it through TitanLogic.com for $268.54 shipped!! All their reviews were good so we'll see what happens

[RDYSAN]

Hello all,

I also plumped for 708A (as my first DVDR drive) and like CD-Freak was a bit disappointed with lack of manual etc. This said the drive looks the fart with the black bezel and is very smooth and fast when functioning. Like to say that burning has been a doddle but sadly that’s far from the truth. Would not burn any of the following:

Packard Bell DVD-RW, 4.7GB, 120 Mins, 771413 (yeah, I know....PB...it was late and the only place open)
Panasonic LM-RF120E, Panasonic R for General 120 Mins
Imation +R, 4.7GB, 120 Mins, 5112205414
Memorex DVD+R, 1X-2.4X, 86411005

Called Plex support and was told that the media had to be 4X to work properly. Other threads have said that this is rubbish and the drive should do all speeds within its capabilities – i.e. up to X4 at –R and up to X8 at +R.

However, bought some FWS X4 and this has burnt data (with Nero 6.0.0.11). However DVDXCopy Platinum will not work. Reads source disk, “apparently” burns, says “burn complete” but nothing on the disk. DVDX is aware of this and has asked patience to fix (http://dvdxcopy.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/47847).

2nd call to Plex support, said that I should try copying just a meg or so, rather than a couple of gigs. This should define whether it’s the drive or the media.

I have some data I need to back up, can anyone recommend a true gold-plated DVD disk, money is not the issue, but long term archive reliability is.

Cheers.

[VEFF]

Sorry to hear about your media problems.
I guess I am lucky to have mainly 4X +R media then, if Plextor support's comment is correct.
I'll try some 2.4X media tonight.
I'll also try a few of the -Rs I have lying around.

Isn't DVD X Copy 1.5.2 part of Platinum?
1.5.2 has been reported to work with the 708A.

[aviationwiz]

Memorex (Ricoh) 2.4x DVD+RW works fine for me. I might try Memorex and Fuji (both Ricoh) DVD+R media soon.

[drakus]

I just got my brand new plextor 708a and burned my first DVD movie with no problem what so ever at 8x. I used nero 60011 and TDK DVD+R media. It worked like a charm; I got it from mwave.com for $254.74 (best price on the web)

[RDYSAN]

Thanks VEFF.

"Isn't DVD X Copy 1.5.2 part of Platinum? 1.5.2 has been reported to work with the 708A."

The Copy I have (d/l yesterday in fact) is DVDXCopy Platinum 3.0.2. 321 is aware it does not work with the 708, but are working on it.

[MadBurner]

I just received my Plextor PX-708A today and burned my first Memorex DVD+R at 8x with CloneDVD!!

I upgraded from a TDK 440N because of the 8x DVD+R and 4x DVD+RW recording capabilities.

Way to go Plextor!!

[aviationwiz]

I'm glad to here that your enjoying your new burner!

[VEFF]

$258 now shipped free from LiveWarehouse for those that didn't get theirs yet (for $265 or more).

[VEFF]

I just received my Plextor PX-708A today and burned my first Memorex DVD+R at 8x with CloneDVD!!

I upgraded from a TDK 440N because of the 8x DVD+R and 4x DVD+RW recording capabilities.

Way to go Plextor!!

Congratulations!
I'm glad you like it.

Feel free to post your software experience in the PX-708A software thread I created.
It should help us out until every burning program catches up, which shouldn't take too long.

[VEFF]

Thanks VEFF.

"Isn't DVD X Copy 1.5.2 part of Platinum? 1.5.2 has been reported to work with the 708A."

The Copy I have (d/l yesterday in fact) is DVDXCopy Platinum 3.0.2. 321 is aware it does not work with the 708, but are working on it.

Thanks for the info.

By the way, there is a way, albeit it requires some work, some knowledge of programming-type logic and a bit of testing to get it quite right, to give various apps one click operation:
For example, you can use AutoMate software (if you already have a copy, since it retails for $150) to start a program, simulate keystrokes, click on dialog boxes, move files/folders and more.

You could theoretically have an 'AutoMate' task that starts up your authoring software (e.g.) to work on your home videos, performs various authoring steps, then copies the files if necessary, then starts your burning software etc.

[Stelios]

Got my Plextor PX-708A today. Burned a short clip with Verbatim DVD+RW using Ulead MovieFactory and the results were EXCELLENT!!

Stelios