Plextor 16x DVD+R media review

Conclusion

So far we have been subjecting the Plextor 16X DVD+R media to our now tried and tested review tests. This is to try and get as much accurate information about the recordings to the Plextor 16x DVD+R media as possible giving the devices available to a normal user. We don't consider these to be as accurrate as industry tests, however we get a very good if basic idea of the medias quality by using our methods.

As expected from a Plextor branded media we found that all tests where completeted well within set specifications and all recording devices used had 16x recording strategies in place for it's release. Very good pre release research can take some credit here but again, this is what we would expect from the combination of Plextor and Taiyo Yuden.

But what we didn't expect was a recordable media from Taiyo Yuden that could exhibit higher than expected Parity Inner Errors. Although as stated these are still perfectly within set specifications, it is higher than we would of hoped for from this media. Maybe this is just a case of earlier offerings from the combination of Plextor and Taiyo Yuden being so good at recording speeds of 16x that we expected the same with their 16x offering. When you set the bar high users really do expect it to be continued throughout future products too and it is one of the main reasons communities on the internet regard Taiyo Yuden based media as the premium media of choice for their recording needs. So some very quality concious readers may regard the amount of potential errors found whilst scanning with Kprobe a little higher than is normal for Taiyo Yuden media but we must also remember that this one of the least important factors on the quality of a recorded media.

The Plextor 16x DVD+R media has got all the makings of a very very good and reliable media with all completed tests showing very good results. I really liked the Pioneer 109 XL recording out of all the recording devices used during this review. According to the TA tests carried out with PxScan, the recorded pits where very good indeed. Hopefully we can expect the same from other recording devices soon but I must point out that if I hadn't of used the advanced recording tests employed here at CDR-Zone.COM it would not of been possible to see this small difference in the recordings of the respective drives - results where that similar!

Benq DW 1640 owners can have some real fun and record the Plextor 16x DVD+R media with the WOPC feature disabled in times of around 5 minutes 22 seconds with very acceptable results. Owners of the NEC ND-4550 and Liteon 1673S writers can also expect very exceptable recordings to be achieved time after time at the medias rated speed.

If I did have one minor grumble though, it would be that the Plextor PX-716A recording device was not able to record it's own branded media at its rated speed of 16x with the Power Record enabled. Although it is normal for this option to slow 16x recording down towards the end, I was unable to achieve a 16x recording at all. Plextor owners can expect to wait an extra 20 seconds or so on top of an optimal recording time with this media. You will still get just as good a recording as any other of the devices, it will just take a little longer to achieve it. Speed isn't everything but it can influence some users decision to purchase media.

Recording devices used for this review As always, please ensure your DVD Writer has the latest firmware to get the best compatibility with this new media. Pioneer DVR 109 XL [OEM] with firmware version 1.58 NEC ND-4550A [OEM] with firmware version 1.06 BenQ DW 1640 [OEM] with firmware version BSMB LiteOn 1673S [Retail] with firmware version JS0D Plextor PX-716A [Retail] with firmware version 1.09

About Plextor :

Plextor is one of the leading global manufacturers of high reliability, high performance personal storage devices in the market. It is also one of the original pioneers of CD technology and through its parent company, Shinano Kenshi Co. of Japan, has a history stretching back to 1918 of developing and manufacturing advanced technology hardware and precision electronic equipment.

With headquarters in Japan, Europe and USA, Plextor's products are mainly sold through a network of specialised computer distributors. Plextor Europe, based in Brussels Belgium, handles sales, marketing and technical support for the European, Middle East and African markets.