Plextor Premium 52/32/52 Internal CDRW Drive

Name: Plextor Premium 52/32/52 Internal CDRW Drive
Brand: Plextor

by HH Editor — Tuesday, July 15, 2003, 12:00 AM EDT

The Plextor Premium 52/32/52 Hi-Performance Internal CD-RW Drive
Exceptionally Fast Performance For Professionals

Jason R. Gibson
July 14, 2003

With the recent introduction of recordable DVD drives, it seems like recordable CD drives may soon become a thing of the past. In hopes of maximizing their impact on this slowly declining market, Plextor has recently released their latest edition to the very successful PlexWriter line of products, the PlexWriter Premium 52/32/52. Historically known for producing well-constructed drives that deliver the goods, Plextor has garnered a very reputable name in the Optical Drive market. Sporting new technology and some very notable specifications, this new CD-RW drive should be able to produce some impressive results.

Visually, there is nothing spectacular separating this drive from other drives that are currently on the market. However, as the saying goes, "you can't judge a book by its cover ". Or in this situation, you certainly "can't judge a CD-RW by its enclosure".

Specifications / Features Of The PlexWriter Premium

What's Under The Hood...

3-in-1 drive: 52X CD-R, 32X CD-RW, 52X max CD-ROM
8MB buffer
Buffer Under Run Proof technology prevents buffer under run errors that can cause wasted media or coasters
allows high capacity storage of up to 1 GB on a 700 MB disc. With this advanced feature, you can increase the maximum writing capacity up to 40%*
checks and reports written disc quality ? C1/C2, track and focus errors*
offers password protection for your disc and other valuable data*
enables users to vary tray load/unload speed, spin up/down speed and write/read speeds*
provides power users with unprecedented control over the burn process*
(Plextor Optimized Writing Error Reduction Control) technology is a sophisticated write strategy for superior quality and stable recording at maximum speed
High quality digital audio extraction
Windows® 95/98/ME/2000/XP? Mac compatible (software not included)
Self-diagnostics validates correct operation of drive to media
One-year full warranty (parts, labor and replacement)
Unlimited toll-free tech support

*enabled by PlexTools Professional software only (included)

Click images for full view

Included with the Plextor PlexWriter Premium Pre-Retail Package, we found the following list of accessories:

1 - PlexWriter
1 - Drive Manual
1 - Quick Reference Guide
1- 40-Pin ATAPI Cable

Emergency Eject Tool
1 - 52x Verbatim CD-R Media
4 - Mounting Screws
Software Disc

Continuing in traditional Plextor manner, the drive came with a first-rate bundle. The only entry that we would like to see added into the final retail package, is an audio cable to connect the drive to a sound card. That aside, we were very pleased with the quality of the rest of the package, especially the User's Manual and Quick Reference Guide. The manuals provide users with multiple solutions to problems, varying configuration methods for installation and adequate background detail on the model and included software. After all, an easy trouble free installation is always a bonus in the consumer?s eye. Lastly, before we get to the installation we wanted to note the black CD tray used in most all recent Plextor Optical Drives. According to Plextor, the use of a black tray aids in burning quality. Supposedly, black plastic absorbs reflected laser light better than white trays, thus increasing reliability and reducing the chance of possible errors caused by "jitter." Since Plextor begun doing this with their 40X drive, we've seen multiple manufactures switch over to black trays.

Beyond that, the actual specs of the drive, noted above, are fairly self explanatory. This drive is rated to burn CDRs at 52X speeds, re-write them at 32X speeds and read CD media at 52X speeds.