Your Pick? - External DVD Dual-Writer: Plextor PX-708UF vs Sony DRX-510UL

[applesseed]

Which one would you go for and why?


Plextor PX-708UF

8X DVD+R
4X DVD-R

4X DVD+RW
2X DVD-RW

12X DVD-ROM

40X CD-R
24X CD-RW
40X CD-ROM

-------------------------------

Sony DRX-510UL

? Write Speed:
DVD-R: 1X, 2X, 4X** max.
DVD-RW: 1X, 2X max.
DVD+R: 2.4X, 4X**max.
DVD+RW: 2.4X, 4X max.
CD-R: 4X, 12X, 16X, 24X Z-CLV max.
CD-RW: 4X, 10X, 16X** max.


? Read Speed
DVD-ROM: 12X max.
CD-ROM: 32X max.


? Random Access Time:
200 ms (DVD 8X)
160 ms (CD 32X)


... I bought the Plextor from Dell for $260 and they haven't shipped yet. Therefore I'm kinda hesitating whether to cancel the order and go for Sony and get it from the nearest Fry's Electronic. I'd like to get the answer possibly before Dell ships out the Plextor... guessing Monday or later. Help!

 

[AFB]

Go for the Plextor, it is 8x instead of 4x.

 

[applesseed]

... and since I've read reviews on Plextor on having a noisy fan... anybody experience it? What about the Sony? I'm looking for a reliable burner. Thanks ya'all

 

[Horsepower]

Every external burner I've owned had a noisy fan. The Plextor is no different.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
Go for the Plextor, it is 8x instead of 4x.

But that's only w/ +R media amdfanboy, not -R media, that should be taken into account IMO

applesseed, I have the internal 510A and I don't have a single complaint about it, I hope this helps a bit :beer:

 

[MichaelEdwardWright]

sorry, posted by mistake, see next post

 

[MichaelEdwardWright]

Dear Appleseed:

My Plextor 708 was grossly defective right out of the box for CD recording.
Which calls into question the adequacy of Plextor production testing.
I have never had that experience with my prior drives: hp100i, a dozen
drives including DVD readers & mostly TDK velo CD recorders & many
no-name chinese CD readers going way back to an ancient 600$ 1X
Smart & Friendly (several of the low cost Chinese drives
slowly degraded, and the the Toshiba DVD readers have very buggy
firmware and no recorded media support). Getting through Plextor
support took hours and I ended up asking to speak to a supervisor
at Plextor. Therefore, I'd have to say go with the 8x HP, at least until
I have bad luck with another brand.

Michael Wright.

 

[Ziggyman]

I know this is a month from the original post but, for anyone intrested.
I just bought an "internal" Sony 530a. It was bad write out of the box,
made a loud clunking sound while trying to install the software that came
with it, also the eject disc failed a couple of times.

I sent it back and am awaiting the arrival of a Plextor 708a.

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: MichaelEdwardWright
Dear Appleseed:

My Plextor 708 was grossly defective right out of the box for CD recording.
Which calls into question the adequacy of Plextor production testing.
I have never had that experience with my prior drives: hp100i, a dozen
drives including DVD readers & mostly TDK velo CD recorders & many
no-name chinese CD readers going way back to an ancient 600$ 1X
Smart & Friendly (several of the low cost Chinese drives
slowly degraded, and the the Toshiba DVD readers have very buggy
firmware and no recorded media support). Getting through Plextor
support took hours and I ended up asking to speak to a supervisor
at Plextor. Therefore, I'd have to say go with the 8x HP, at least until
I have bad luck with another brand.

Michael Wright.

wow, sounds so unlikely of plextor since they are renowned for product quality and reliability. i think you may have just gotten a bad drive.