Plextor DVD-Rom PX-116A

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Plextor DVD-Rom PX-116A

2003-08-27 03:19:51

hi there,
I'll buy a new pc in about a month, got all parts I want in mind, exept the dvd-rom.
I currently own a pioneer 119, which worked o.k. for me (though it sometimes has real problems with scratched cds...).
my plan was to either buy the (relative) new plextor dvd 116a or the pioneer dvd 120. I had two plextor burners so far, didn't had any bad experiences so far. and as plextor have a good reputation and never let me down so far, I'll prob. go for the px116a...
the specs at the page doesn't look to bad too: http://www.plextor.be/English/products/PX116A.html
especially the access time.

so my question is, does anybody own the drive and/or can give me some feedback?

thx

Plextor DVD-Rom PX-116A

Reply #1 – 2003-08-28 22:13:23

I just bought the PX-116A along with a Plex Premium and can state a few (personally influenced) facts (comparing the PX-116A with my replaced Toshiba SD-M1612)

Loud (the drive makes some whining, somewhat annoying noise during disc log-on, disc access and data seek operations) - normal copying is fast and reliable, though.
Slow Log-On to CD's/DVD's (Toshi was faster)
Cheap (I paid 35€ for it)
Doesn't like Mitsubishi CDR Media (Verbatim) very much (slow copying, slow disc access - no problem with other media, though)
According to EAC, it does not cache audio data and supports C2 error retrieval, but no overread into Lead-In and Out
Rips audio with EAC at an average of 15-20x in secure mode with C2 on
Rips DVD to HDD with SmartRipper at 5-6x (Toshi was way slower)

I somewhat doubt that this drive is fabricated by Plextor (I'm still waiting for the review to reveal it's real origin) ... it isn't even mentioned for firmware upgrades on Plextor's website.

Personally, I would rate this drive with 4 out of 5 stars ...

Plextor DVD-Rom PX-116A

Reply #2 – 2003-08-28 22:43:40

thank you very much for your reply.

Quote

Loud (the drive makes some whining, somewhat annoying noise during disc log-on, disc access and data seek operations)

how loud is loud (prob. difficult to state...)? can you compare it to other drives?
I for example am quite pleased with the noiselevel of my pioneer...
is it just the 'normal' acces noise, or somewhat out of order?

Quote

Slow Log-On to CD's/DVD's

Log on? what do you mean by that? I guess accsess time? it is said to be 85ms, which is not slow at all IMO...

Quote

I somewhat doubt that this drive is fabricated by Plextor ... it isn't even mentioned for firmware upgrades on Plextor's website.

what makes you think it's not made by plextor? just because that there's no firware upgrade available now? isn't that more likly because the drive is relativle new? or am I wrong?

Quote

(I'm still waiting for the review to reveal it's real origin)

If you ever come accros that, please let me know.

Plextor DVD-Rom PX-116A

Reply #3 – 2003-08-29 19:23:16

Heh, I just got one of these recently (along with a PX-5224A) as well to replace my Toshiba SD-M1212.

IME, the drive didn't seem unusually loud, but it's a few feet away on the floor rather than right at my feet or on my desk.

Quote

Log on? what do you mean by that?

I think JeanLuc's referring to the time it takes the drive to spin-up and recognize the media.

Some people believe that the drive is a rebadged Pioneer 120 drive (see this CDFreaks.com Forum thread).

IIRC, the drive will read into Lead-In, but not Lead-Out.

I haven't really given it a good beating yet, but it seems like it's a pretty good drive all around. I'll second JeanLuc's 4/5 rating.

Plextor DVD-Rom PX-116A

Reply #4 – 2003-08-29 19:32:13

Quote

thank you very much for your reply.
Quote
Loud (the drive makes some whining, somewhat annoying noise during disc log-on, disc access and data seek operations)

how loud is loud (prob. difficult to state...)? can you compare it to other drives?
I for example am quite pleased with the noiselevel of my pioneer...
is it just the 'normal' acces noise, or somewhat out of order?
Quote
Slow Log-On to CD's/DVD's

Log on? what do you mean by that? I guess accsess time? it is said to be 85ms, which is not slow at all IMO...
Quote
I somewhat doubt that this drive is fabricated by Plextor ... it isn't even mentioned for firmware upgrades on Plextor's website.

what makes you think it's not made by plextor? just because that there's no firware upgrade available now? isn't that more likly because the drive is relativle new? or am I wrong?
Quote
(I'm still waiting for the review to reveal it's real origin)

If you ever come accros that, please let me know.

Well ... Loudness is subjective ... but I think I can compare the PX-116A to my LiteOn 52246S CDRW when it comes to loudness. And the drive's sounds are similar to those of the Sony DDU-1621 ...

Disc LogOn is the "initial" access time from disc insertion up to the point of recognition before you can access the TOC via Windows explorer ... and this is kinda slow (compared to my Toshiba, of course) ... the drive's average access time after LogOn (85 msec as specified) is fast, though

What makes me doubt the drive's origin is the fact that it does not overread lead-in & lead-out (like any given Plextor before) ... but this is just an assumption and as we all know ... assumtion is the mother of all fuckups

Plextor DVD-Rom PX-116A

Reply #5 – 2003-09-02 18:36:36

that sounds like it doesn't matter if I buy the pinoeer or the plextor...
well, thanks for replies guys, I prob. will go for the good old plextor.
The log on thing is well known from my former plextor burners (though you prob. can't realy compare burners and dvd-roms in that case...), so I'm used to that.

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