The Great Plextor Scam...

[Bar81]

For a long time I've been a proponent of Plextor drives. They've worked perfectly, given high burn quality, allowed ripping of discs that other drives choked on, and recently featured features on their DVD burners that were simply unparalleled like Silent Drive, and burn quality scans. The newer features are a result of Plextor's included software bundle by the name of Plextools Pro. Lately, also SATA connectivity although in reality all they've done is include a ATA to SATA convertor in the drive housing.

*Even though* Plextor often commands a 100% price premium over similar drives, the features they have and Plextools Pro have convinced many, including myself, that the extra cost is worth it and we have bought Plextor drives.

Well, it seems that Plextor has decided that a 100% premium and the resultant profits are not enough and have devised a new way to bilk the consumer.

What am I talking about? Why Plextools XL of course. On the face of it Plextools XL doesn't seem like a bad thing as it features a few new features over Pro:

Plextools XL Additional Features

# The PlexTools Professional XL GUI consists of 3 independent windows with a redesigned look
# The test functions have been updated with new, stylish graphical displays.
# PlexTools Professional XL automatically checks the software's and all drives firmware for the latest version and updates it immediately if necessary. A similar version is available for the PlexTools Professional software version.
# Both the AudioCDMaker and Disc Extraction functions have been expanded with CueSheet support and extra options.
# The Disc Maker function has the option to load and save projects and a new DVD-Video project has been added that allows burning an existing DVD-Video image to disc.
# Several smaller changes and options have been added and are planned for future releases.

Okay, so far what's the big deal you ask? IF you don't like the crappy "new" features simply don't buy it and at $54 FREAKING DOLLARS you'd be well advised not to. Well, Plextor has decided that they're not going to give you a choice because THEY'RE TAKING AWAY the free Plextools Pro software in upcoming drive releases.

Of course you may ask how do I know this. Well, quite simple really. Let's look at Plextor's latest DVD burner release the PX-716 in ATA (716A), SATA (716SA), and no tray (716AL) flavors released in that order. Note also that the 716AL was announced right around the same time as Plextools XL. So let's look at the pages for the drives on Plextor and pay particular attention to the software bundle included:

PX-716A
PX-716SA
PX-716AL

Notice the GLARING omission in the bundle for the most recently released drive, the 716AL, which as I noted before was announced right at the same time as Plextools XL. That's right, you'll be paying through the nose for Plextor drives and they won't even include Plextools.

Thanks Plextor. Way to screw your customers. This has been a PSA for those thinking about buying the PX-716AL and future Plextor DVD burners.

 

[ribbon13]

Send email to marcom@plextor.com

 

[Bar81]

Who is that?

 

[ribbon13]

Plextor public relations. I sent them an email about it already.

 

[Bar81]

Thanks, I'd *love* to hear their response.

 

[WPFossil]

Good tip. Something to consider before buying Plextor drives.

 

[LED]

Moresoever the thing that has gotten me leary of Plextor Drives is the fact that they are now produced in China instead of Japan which makes me question their new QC?

 

[Zepper]

OT, belongs in Brag & Moan thread in the Hot Deals section.
. I think you're a bit quick on the draw, Bar81. PlexTools Pro is aimed at the techie - this drive is aimed at the "consumer". Besides which the PTP is freely downloadable if they want it. I think they will find it on the CD that comes with the drive anyway without much fanfare. If they want/need it, they will find it there. And the knuckle-dragging victims of the govt school systems won't be harmed by something they are probably incapable of dealing with anyway.
. IAC, I wonder why Plextor is doing a slot-load now. Did Pioneer's patent on the idea finally expire? I had been wondering why Pioneer hadn't already done a burner with it. Perhaps the loading components were too big to allow for a burner to fit in a standard size case. Ever since I saw their first slot-load ROM drives, I had expected a CDRW burner to be just around the corner. Their DVD burners are pretty good to begin with and that would give them a pretty much insurmountable advantage in the mass market end of the biz - at least until their patent runs out anyway.
. Unless they really blow it big-time (I was worried about the 716 to begin with - looks like they've got the kinks ironed out now), I'll be sticking with Plextor. My 4220 and 712 are great.
Remember: "Don't ascribe to malice that which could just as well be due to incompetence..."

.bh.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'd say this is appropriate for General Hardware, to warn anyone thinking of buying a Plextor that the drive might not come with the PlexTools they're expecting, and that Plextor is now making the regular PlexTools a second-class program with their best features held back for the paid upgrade.

Plextor was great back in the SCSI days, but now there isn't much reason to recommend them to most system builders.

 

[DanDaMan315]

Who wants to pay 3x the price for an optical drive anyway? Not me. Just go buy a Samsung drive or something, you'll be surprised how good they are .

 

[akugami]

My NEC 3520A can be super loud at times when reading CD/DVD's but I'm happy with the performance of it and it only costs about half of what the Plextors go for. It does what I want which is to read discs and to burn discs. I might research into getting a quieter DVD drive at a later date for reading discs only though.

 

[piromaneak]

akugami, so you're going to get ANOTHER drive thats quieter for reading? Plextor PX-716SA is 117 @ newegg last I checked... the NEC AND another drive just for reading would I think go above that price... just food for thought... Get one drive and be done with it

BTW, if it really hurts peoples piggy banks, you can transfer a good quality optical drive over to systems so you can use the same one and save money.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: piromaneak
akugami, so you're going to get ANOTHER drive thats quieter for reading? Plextor PX-716SA is 117 @ newegg last I checked... the NEC AND another drive just for reading would I think go above that price... just food for thought... Get one drive and be done with it

BTW, if it really hurts peoples piggy banks, you can transfer a good quality optical drive over to systems so you can use the same one and save money.

Actually, a DVD-ROM only drive as the second drive would be cheaper, and a pure reader is more compatible with some of the more obnoxious game copy protection software.

 

[piromaneak]

ok but he already payed for an NEC... hence thats why I added the price of a reader (Which i know are like 30 bucks but still)...I prefer a read all/write all/do all to separate drives... and SATA is just a plus for me anyway because im tired of looking at ribbon cables... have been for eons :/

 

[VirtualLarry]

Wow, Plextor really screwed the pooch on this one, the bundled software (and additional drive firmware features to support it), are really the only things that Plextor has over the competition, their actual drive hardware isn't any better than anyone else's these days, and in fact may not even be as good. (PX-716 inital release, bugs, lack of features compared to competing drives, etc.) Especially considering how competing drive mfgs are now also starting to bundle additional diagnostic software with their drives (Benq's Q-Scan tools, etc.)

It used to be that Plextor was well-known for producing a "Premium" drive, that had good burn quality, and was tolerant of even "cheap" media. Given the trends with their recent drives, I would say that those days are long since over. :|

 

[Zepper]

Plextor DVD burners are almost all full retail packages. You can't even buy a NEC drive in a retail kit except via 3rd party packagers. Nor can you expect a retail level of service and support from NEC. Plextor's price is quite competive when you are comparing apples to apples. Not to mention the ongoing $30. rebate (thru the end of March at least). So price really isn't a factor with Plextor any more.
. Of course, they will probably gouge a bit on this slot-loader when it comes out. But what the hey, it'll be the only one of its kind - at least for a while.

Remember: "Don't ascribe to malice that which could just as well be due to incompetence..."

.bh.

 

[hytek369]

fvcking ripoff

 

[jjsbasmt]

I'm new to these forums, however, a question if I may?? With the features and speed changes made almost on a monthly basis, why would you buy the most expensive burner on the market? I own and use on a regular basis the following DVD burners, and they all work fine for me.
Benq (DL)
Sony (external)
HP (lightscribe) (DL)
Lite On (external)

I'm partial to Sony and Verbatim media, and have no errors on any of the mentioned burners.

 

[Bar81]

Well, everyone has their reasons. I buy Plextor mainly because I want something that can do it all without me having to fool around with it and use hacked firmware. Also, I like the features Plextor includes on their drives like burn quality check, SATA interface (Although it's only a ATA drive with a convertor), the silent mode setting. Also you have if you are so inclined Gigarec, Booktype setting, varirec, and securec. Plextools also has the industry's best utility via Plextools pro to read data from damaged discs.

It basically has everything and makes burns of a quality other burners can only dream about. I also trust the Plextor quality although that's become more of an issue lately.

 

[Pariah]

I think you jumping to conclusions too early on this one. I don't think Plextor is removing Plextools from their software bundle. The slot loading drive page may have been a simple oversight on their part. From the cdrinfo review above:

"Initially, after reading the news, we expected to see a totally new Plextools with many interesting features in view of the fact that Plextor charges ?40 to upgrade to the XL version."

Well, if you don't have the original Plextools Pro, that wouldn't really be an upgrade would it?

"The redesigned GUI is welcomed, the support for DVD-Video was something that was missing from the standard Plextools application and the support for CueSheet will please advanced DAE rippers. However, none of these will make any difference for ordinary users since Plextools XL doesn't include the less basic functions compared with standard Plextools."

This also implies that the standard Plextools will still be bundled, otherwise there would be no way to get those basic features if they aren't in the Plextools XL.

 

[jjsbasmt]

Bar81, Sounds like you're deeper into the mechanics of optical media than I'll ever be. Quality info you posted. I picked up a few tips from you. Thanks

 

[Bar81]

Originally posted by: Pariah
I think you jumping to conclusions too early on this one. I don't think Plextor is removing Plextools from their software bundle. The slot loading drive page may have been a simple oversight on their part. From the cdrinfo review above:

"Initially, after reading the news, we expected to see a totally new Plextools with many interesting features in view of the fact that Plextor charges ?40 to upgrade to the XL version."

Well, if you don't have the original Plextools Pro, that wouldn't really be an upgrade would it?

"The redesigned GUI is welcomed, the support for DVD-Video was something that was missing from the standard Plextools application and the support for CueSheet will please advanced DAE rippers. However, none of these will make any difference for ordinary users since Plextools XL doesn't include the less basic functions compared with standard Plextools."

This also implies that the standard Plextools will still be bundled, otherwise there would be no way to get those basic features if they aren't in the Plextools XL.

That's incorrect information. Plextools XL is a stand alone product:

http://www.plextools.com/info/info.asp

 

[Pariah]

Yes, it is a standalone application. But the additional functionality of the software makes it an upgrade to the standard bundled version. Again, if the 2 suites don't have the same functionality as the cdrinfo indicates, one cannot replace the other. You're crying wolf, when it appears there isn't one.

 

[Bar81]

No it doesn't. All the functions of XL have no dependence on those of Pro. In fact, the XL bundle is a full 3MB *bigger* than the Pro bundle as it encompasses Pro and adds new features:

About PlexTools Professional XL

Based on existing solid code, PlexTools Professional XL offers more features and extra options. The new layout with resizable windows and improved graphs, enhanced audio functions and project options as well as the unique update check system are designed and tuned for the demanding user.

Please get your facts together on this point.

 

[Pariah]

Bar81 did you read the review you posted above. And by read, I mean any of it all? Where in that article, is there any indication on their part that the XL version is a replacement for the standard Plextools, and not a supplemental upgrade? I can point out at least a half dozen examples that indictate you are wrong in your accustations.

Before making a fool out of yourself and personally target other posters while accusing companies of malice practices, it would be most prudent to have clearly obvious evidence of your accusations, rather than circumstantial evidence which is not corroborated anywhere else but in your mind.