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In the next
round of tests, we ran a few real world examples of CD/DVD
recording performance. With each test we compared
performance with different brands of media and the CD-R
performance included scores from the PlexCombo PX-320A as a
gauge. Each one of the tests was completed using Ahead
Software's Nero v5.5.10.20.
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CD/DVD Write Tests -
Plextor PX-504A |
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The
Burning Question... |
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Nero CD-R
Write Analysis:
The first test
we ran was a CD-R write test. With this test we
recorded a folder with 700MBs of MP3s from the hard drive to
48X media from Verbatim and Philips.
While the
PlexCombo is faster than the PX-504A, we found the
performance difference minimal. Regardless of the
media, the PX-504A averaged the same speed, while the
PlexCombo reported better results with the Verbatim brand
disk. It seems that the PX-504A has been fine tuned to
run more consistently with various media, showing no
noticeable difference.
Nero DVD+R Write Analysis:
Next we recorded
4.45GBs of MP3s to DVD+R media from TDK and Verbatim.
The TDK media was rated at 2.4X and the Verbatim was rated
at 4X. We were anxious to see how much of a difference
the two speeds would make in our results.
While there
doesn't seem to be a huge difference between 2.4X and 4X
from a rating perspective, the difference is rather large.
The increase in speed from 2.4 to 4 is 69.4% and the
difference from 14:18 to 23:26 is virtually identical.
So what looks like a small increase in speed at first can
ultimately result in big gains. The only thing I can
say is burning 4.45GBs of data in less than 15 minutes is
awesome!
Nero DVD+RW Write Analysis:
Next we ran two
tests with various DVD+RW media. We used TDK and
Philips DVD+RW media, both rated for 2.4X. We were
curious to see how the results can vary with different
brands of media.
At the end of
the test, the Philips media posted a better overall score,
but we don't necessarily think that most users will balk
about a 22 second difference.
Some may feel
that Plextor was a little late getting into the DVD+R/RW
market, but it's hard to dispute that they came up big with
their first offering. The PX-504A proved to be a
capable drive with solid features and useful complimentary
software. We were quite pleased with the PX-504A's
overall performance and Plextor covered all of the bases by
providing a complete DVD+R/RW package as well as traditional
CD-R/RW functions. While we didn't think the drive had
quite the same feel as other Plextor models, it's difficult
to argue with its performance. Who wouldn't like
burning 4.45GB of data in a little over 14 minutes at 4X?
That's an average of over 325MB per minute and would be
similar to burning a 700MB CD in under 2:30. In each
test the drive posted solid performance and we never
encountered a single problem writing to any of the media.
This reinforces Plextor's reputation for producing products
with superior reliability and compatibility.
Nonetheless, we think there is room for improvement.
Along with
adding support for Mount Rainier, we would like to see a new
revision of the PX-504A with support for the DVD-R/RW
format. Adding this format would offer greater
compatibility with set-top DVD players, although dual format
drives often exceed a $350 price tag. As it stands,
the Plextor PX-504A DVD+R/RW CD-R/RW is an good choice for
users looking for a quality DVD/CD burning solution.
We recently paid a visit to
our HH/Cnet search engine page and found the PX-504A
selling for around $259, which in our opinion, is a great
price for a great drive.
We give the
Plextor PX-504A DVD+R/RW CD-R/RW drive a
Hot Hardware Heat Meter Rating
of a 8.5.
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